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The Wiz

  • 1978
  • G
  • 2h 14m
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
18K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,334
2,688
Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Ted Ross, and Nipsey Russell in The Wiz (1978)
Theatrical Trailer from Universal Pictures
Play trailer3:31
1 Video
82 Photos
Pop MusicalAdventureFamilyFantasyMusical

An adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz" that tries to capture the essence of the African-American experience.An adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz" that tries to capture the essence of the African-American experience.An adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz" that tries to capture the essence of the African-American experience.

  • Director
    • Sidney Lumet
  • Writers
    • L. Frank Baum
    • William F. Brown
    • Joel Schumacher
  • Stars
    • Diana Ross
    • Michael Jackson
    • Nipsey Russell
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    5.6/10
    18K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,334
    2,688
    • Director
      • Sidney Lumet
    • Writers
      • L. Frank Baum
      • William F. Brown
      • Joel Schumacher
    • Stars
      • Diana Ross
      • Michael Jackson
      • Nipsey Russell
    • 204User reviews
    • 44Critic reviews
    • 53Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 4 Oscars
      • 2 wins & 11 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Wiz
    Trailer 3:31
    The Wiz

    Photos82

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    + 75
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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Diana Ross
    Diana Ross
    • Dorothy
    Michael Jackson
    Michael Jackson
    • Scarecrow
    Nipsey Russell
    Nipsey Russell
    • Tinman
    Ted Ross
    Ted Ross
    • Lion…
    Mabel King
    Mabel King
    • Evillene
    Theresa Merritt
    Theresa Merritt
    • Aunt Em
    Thelma Carpenter
    • Miss One
    Lena Horne
    Lena Horne
    • Glinda the Good
    Richard Pryor
    Richard Pryor
    • The Wiz (Herman Smith)
    Stanley Greene
    • Uncle Henry
    Clyde J. Barrett
    • Subway Peddler
    Derrick Bell
    • The Four Crows
    Roderick-Spencer Sibert
    • The Four Crows
    Kashka Banjoko
    • The Four Crows
    Ronald 'Smokey' Stevens
    • The Four Crows
    Toney Brealond
    • Gold Footman
    • (as Tony Brealond)
    Joe Lynn
    • Gold Footman
    Clinton Jackson
    Clinton Jackson
    • Green Footman
    • Director
      • Sidney Lumet
    • Writers
      • L. Frank Baum
      • William F. Brown
      • Joel Schumacher
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Original director John Badham stepped down when he objected to 33-year-old Diana Ross being cast as a teenage Dorothy. The character was changed to a 24-year-old kindergarten teacher, but by then Sidney Lumet had already replaced Badham.
    • Goofs
      Aunt Em comments that Dorothy has never been south of 125th Street in the Manhattan neighborhood of Harlem. However, Dorothy later gives her address as being on Prospect Place, which is in Brooklyn, miles southeast of Harlem.
    • Quotes

      Scarecrow: Public office is the last refuge of the incompetent!

    • Crazy credits
      Fitzstephens, Jack ... Music Editor & Guru
    • Alternate versions
      When this movie debuted on CBS, the network trimmed several scenes to fit in a 3 hour block with commercials. Several omitted scenes includes:
      • The arrival of the baby and its family at Aunt Emme's party.
      • Some of the dancing and the Poms sequence with the Munchkins (it cut from them going down the stairs to some of them doing acrobatics).
      • Portions of "Mean Ole Lion".
      • The chase sequence in the subway platform omits how the Scarecrow and the Tin Man are rescued by the Lion.
      • The Poppy Girls close-up shot.
      • Dance portions in the Emerald City during the Green and Red clothing.
      • The entire Emerald City Motel sequence
      • Dorothy asking the guards of the gate how to get to Evilynn's. (It cut from RIchard Pryor peeking out to the time clock at the sweat shop).
    • Connections
      Edited into The Arrivals (2008)
    • Soundtracks
      You Can't Win, You Can't Break Even
      Written by Charlie Smalls
      Performed by Michael Jackson (uncredited) and The Four Crows (uncredited)

    User reviews204

    Review
    Review
    Featured review

    ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!

    I thought that this movie was incredible when I first saw (about 8 years ago), and I still do! Even if it is almost nothing like the Broadway show, that doesn't matter. The film version of "The Sound of Music" wasn't like the play, either. Or what about "Mame"? See what I mean? Not one movie musical is ever like the live show. It shouldn't matter anyway. It's great for what it is, a fun, rock 'n' rollin' good time! Also, the songs in this musical (especially "No Bad News", "Everybody, Rejoice", and "Ease On Down The Road") have to be some of the best I've ever heard! SEE THIS MOVIE!!!!!
    • RockyHorrorFan
    • Apr 27, 2001
    • Permalink

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    FAQ20

    • How long is The Wiz?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 24, 1978 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Carobnjak
    • Filming locations
      • World Trade Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Motown Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $24,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $21,049,053
    • Gross worldwide
      • $21,049,647
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 14 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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    Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Ted Ross, and Nipsey Russell in The Wiz (1978)
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