The Wiz (1978)

In the heart of Harlem, we meet Dorothy, a 24-year-old kindergarten teacher. She's a timid soul, living a sheltered life of her own making, with a sense of unfulfillment lurking in the background. Celebrating Thanksgiving with her extended family, Dorothy finds little cause for gratitude. Her world is flipped upside down when a snowstorm whisks her and her dog Toto away to the enigmatic Land of Oz, a sprawling, decaying metropolis that eerily mirrors the gritty corners of New York City. In this urbanized rendition of the classic tale, Dorothy's journey to return home is no yellow-brick-road skip. She must seek the powerful wizard residing in the Emerald City, her only beacon of hope in this strange, nightmarish world. Along her path, she befriends a band of peculiar creatures, each battling their own demons, who join her in the quest. Together they navigate the dangerous cityscape, a stark contrast to the whimsical Oz of lore. This saga is laced with a profound sense of melancholy, echoing the characters' struggles to transcend their circumstances and societal expectations. Dorothy's arrival in Oz carries a dark consequence; she accidentally kills Evermean, the wicked witch, drawing the ire of Evillene, her equally menacing sister. Evillene becomes a formidable obstacle in their journey, amplifying the peril that already hangs over their quest. The Wiz is a riveting reimagining of a timeless story, infused with the harsh realities of urban life and the universal quest for personal fulfillment. It holds a mirror to the human condition, testing the strength of its characters and the resilience of hope in the face of adversity.

The Wiz is an adventure movie featuring Diana Ross.

The Wiz is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel .

It is also possible to buy The Wiz on AMC on Demand, Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube.