The Wiz, Spine #1264, is now available on 4K in the Criterion Collection.
My relationship to The Wizard of Oz, like most people, begins in the very early years of my childhood. I don’t remember the first time I saw the 1930s classic, but as far back as I can remember, it was an important part of my upbringing. My relationship to The Wiz is different. I was always aware of its existence, and I recall watching small moments of it on cable television at a young age, but I never sat down and watched it in its entirety until now.
The Wiz plot
Dorothy (Diana Ross) is a teacher in Harlem struggling to find her place and her purpose. When she’s magically transported to the fantastical land of Oz, she must embark on a journey unlike anything she’s ever experienced before. Along the way, she’ll meet the Scarecrow (Michael Jackson), the Tinman (Nipsey Russell), and the Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross)
The Wiz review
There’s no denying that the Victor Fleming-directed, Judy Garland-starring adaptation of the classic children’s novel is a masterpiece. It cracked the top ten on my ranking of The 100 Greatest Movies of All Time; however, subsequent adaptations have failed to capture the same magic of the original. Wicked was a massive success, and Wicked: For Good will likely have the same good fortune when it releases later this year, but I found it to be a dreadful viewing experience. I put it in the tenth slot on my ranking of the 2025 Best Picture nominees, and wrote an article listing five 2024 musicals that were better than Wicked.
I enjoyed The Wiz far more than I did Wicked, but I admittedly found my attention faltering. The music is strong, but the musical acts that accompany them are poorly executed. Dancers who are intended to be moving in unison are out of sync to the point that it becomes a distraction. There’s no shortage of talent in front of the camera, and with Sidney Lumet (director of 12 Angry Men, another film on our list of The 100 Greatest Movies of All Time) in the director’s chair, there’s plenty of talent behind it as well. The talent shines through, but is muddied and blurred by its unpolished execution.
Adapted from the 1974 Broadway musical, The Wiz excels at showcasing the fantastical world of Oz through a new perspective. Lumet’s experience directing stage productions serves him well, but the production feels stuck between being too big and not big enough. Some moments and sets feel modestly crafted for the stage, and others feel whimsically larger than the capabilities of the time. Ultimately, I’m happy that The Wiz exists, but if I want to take a trip to the merry old land of Oz, I’ll likely revisit the 1930s version instead.
The special features
The film is presented in a new 4K digital restoration, approved by producer Rob Cohen, with a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. There is a new audio commentary featuring scholars, Michael B. Gillespie and Alfred L. Martin, and archival interviews with director Sidney Lumet and Diana Ross. Also included are the original theatrical trailer and an essay by film critic Aisha Harris.
Would I recommend this purchase? Yes. Lovers of musicals will surely find something worth purchasing here.
Is it worth a blind buy? Some audiences are going to love this one, and some will struggle with it. This one might work best as a “watch it, before you buy it.”
Purchase your copy of The Wiz on 4K from the Criterion Collection here.
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