The Wiz (1978)
October 24, 1978Release Date
The Wiz (1978)
October 24, 1978Release Date
Plot.
Where to Watch.
Currently The Wiz is available for streaming online, rent, buy or watch for free on: Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, Microsoft Store, YouTube, Netflix, Netflix basic with Ads, Fandango At Home
Streaming in:🇺🇸 United States
Cast & Crew.
Diana Ross
Dorothy Gale
Michael Jackson
Scarecrow
Nipsey Russell
Tinman
Ted Ross
Lion / Fleetwood Coup de Ville
Theresa Merritt
Aunt Em
Lena Horne
Glinda the Good
Richard Pryor
The Wiz
Mabel King
Evillene
Thelma Carpenter
Miss One
Stanley Greene
Uncle Henry
Quincy Jones
Emerald City Gold Pianist / Music Supervisor / Music Arranger
Iman
Emerald City Citizen
Clyde J. Barrett
Subway Peddler
Harry Madsen
Cheetah
William F. Brown
Writer
Mabel Robinson
Munchkin #2
Sidney Lumet
Director
Berry Gordy
Executive Producer
Charlie Smalls
Original Music Composer / Songs
Rob Cohen
Producer
Kenneth Harper
Executive Producer
Joel Schumacher
Screenplay
Dede Allen
Editor
Anna Hill Johnstone
Costume Coordinator
Oswald Morris
Director of Photography
Eugene Powell
Scenic Artist
Robert N. Tucker Jr.
Orchestrator
Edward Garzero
Scenic Artist
Gloria Gresham
Costume Coordinator
Robert Laden
Makeup Supervisor
Allen Weisinger
Makeup Artist
William A. Farley
Hairstylist
Al Griswold
Special Effects
Ronald Roose
Sound Editor
Hal Levinsohn
Sound Editor
Al Nahmias
Sound Editor
Carl Fullerton
Makeup Artist
Grace Blake
Production Office Coordinator
James A. Contner
Camera Operator
Angelo Corrao
Assistant Editor
Connie Brink
Property Master
Michael R. Thomas
Makeup Artist
Stan Bochner
Sound Editor
Marc Laub
Sound Editor
George Newman
Wardrobe Assistant
Jack Fitzstephens
Sound Supervisor / Music Editor / Supervising Sound Editor / Supervising Music Editor
Lynne Twentyman
Script Supervisor
Jack Priestley
Second Unit Director of Photography
Norman Leigh
Gaffer
Scott Cunningham
Makeup Artist
Ted Long
Hairstylist
Marlayna Franklin
Assistant Editor
Kenneth Goss
Key Grip
Marilyn Putnam
Wardrobe Assistant
Burtt Harris
First Assistant Director / Associate Producer
Alan Hopkins
Second Assistant Director
Media.
Details.
Release DateOctober 24, 1978
StatusReleased
Running Time2h 14m
Content RatingG
Budget$24,000,000
Box Office$21,049,053
Genres
Last updated:
This Movie Is About.
Wiki.
The Wiz is a 1978 American musical fantasy adventure film directed by Sidney Lumet. Adapted from the 1974 Broadway musical of the same name, the film reimagines the classic children's novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum with an African-American cast. Dorothy, a 24-year old teacher from Harlem, finds herself magically transported to the urban fantasy Land of Oz. On her travels seeking help from the mysterious Wiz, Dorothy befriends a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Cowardly Lion.
Produced by Universal Pictures and Motown Productions, filming took place in Queens, New York City from July to December 1977, with a cast starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson (in his feature film debut), Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross, Mabel King, Theresa Merritt, Thelma Carpenter, Lena Horne, and Richard Pryor. The story was reworked from William F. Brown's Broadway libretto by Joel Schumacher, and Quincy Jones supervised the adaptation of songs by Charlie Smalls and Luther Vandross. A handful of new songs, written by Jones and the songwriting team of Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson, were added for the project.
The Wiz was theatrically released the following year on October 24, 1978, to critical and commercial failure. The film received generally negative reviews from critics, with many unfavorably comparing the film to its source material. Some critics criticized the casting of Ross as Dorothy, while others criticized the direction of Lumet who was considered a poor choice for directing a musical. Despite its initial failure, the critics became more favorable in recent years, and became a cult classic among audiences, Ross's fanbase, Jackson's fanbase, and Oz enthusiasts. The 2015 live television adaptation The Wiz Live! was influenced by the film.