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The Wiz

Director: Sidney Lumet Run Time: 134 min. Release Year: 1978

Starring: Diana Ross, Lena Horne, Mabel King, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Richard Pryor, Ted Ross

L. Frank Baum’s timeless story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz gets a funky reimagining in this lavish adaptation of a landmark Broadway show based on the book. Diana Ross brings her showstopping star power to the role of Dorothy, here a Harlem schoolteacher who is magically transported to a surreal fantasyland that resembles New York City, complete with man-eating trash cans and a disco paradise. Propelled by the musical contributions of Quincy Jones and an all-star cast that includes Michael Jackson, Richard Pryor, and Lena Horne, this dazzling soul spectacular from legendary director Sidney Lumet reframes a beloved tale through the Black American experience, creating a powerful celebration of self-determination. – Criterion Collection

“A delightfully weird, eclectic, and enduring movie that exudes its own sense of brazenness.” – Aisha Harris, Criterion Current

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