As the temperature rises for the premiere of Wicked (Jon M. Chu, 2024) on Friday (November 22) in the United Kingdom—coinciding with the 85th anniversary of the iconic yet controversial The Wizard of Oz (Victor Fleming, 1939)—and with the heavy weight of Quincy Jones's legacy and passing earlier this month, it's the perfect time to revisit a hidden gem: The Wiz (Sidney Lumet, 1978), discovered during a recent flicking session.
The Wiz is a cinematic adaptation of the Broadway-awarded musical of the same name, serving as a reimagining of The Wizard of Oz set within the context of contemporary African American culture. Initially, the film was considered a flop, with negative reviews from critics and disappointing box office numbers. However, over the decades, it has gained a cult classic status.
Despite its commercial failure, The Wiz holds significance for a whole generation of Black Americans. It was groundbreaking and opened a horizon for more full-scale productions showcasing people of colour. It became a beacon for a generation seeking direction, giving them pride and identity—especially during a time when there was a gap in diversity and representation on TV, film, and Broadway.
Let's take a trip back to the 1970s, a period of crisis for Hollywood. The decline of the studio system, which had dominated for over 20 years, coincided with the rise of independent filmmaking and a shift in storytelling techniques, influenced by European art films. This era also saw the brief but impactful rise of Blaxploitation. Hollywood, recognizing the significance of the Civil Rights Movement and its successors like Black Power and the Black Panther movement, began producing films that showcased Black talent and catered to Black audiences. This backdrop was perfect for the bold arrival of The Wiz.
The Wiz swam against its contemporary musicals of the time with Quincy Jones’ touch behind it, infused with a Motown flavour. The stage uses themes of slavery, emancipation, the Great Migration, and faith, but the movie modernizes these elements to the post-Civil Rights era in a contemporary urban Harlem, with graffiti and urban gentrification.
The Wiz is a political allegory about the African American experience, critiquing anti-Blackness and racism, and advocating for racial liberation, self-acceptance, and self-empowerment. It honours the community beyond the elements mentioned above. There are small yet worthy details in the film. Each character has depth and represents an African American experience during the Great Migration.
The Scarecrow, portrayed by Michael Jackson, is crafted from discarded trash and worn rags, symbolizing a life pieced together from neglect. Surrounded by a flock of taunting crows dressed in black and speaking in African American Vernacular English, they mock his desire to climb down from his post and simply walk, claiming he’s trapped because “there’s nothing to come down to.” This metaphor speaks to the struggles and experiences of Black Americans under Jim Crow laws: separate but supposedly equal, as highlighted in his number.
The Tin Man, portrayed by Nipsey Russell, is a factory worker constructed from rusted metal parts, depicting the stagnation and neglect of Black laborers in society. He represents the industrial working class, stripped of individuality and humanity by dehumanizing labor. His longing for a heart symbolizes a yearning for empathy, community, and emotional connection—qualities lost in an oppressive, mechanized system. His axe could symbolize the dual nature of his role, a tool of industry but also a potential weapon of liberation.
The Cowardly Lion, portrayed by Ted Ross, embodies the struggles of Black leadership under systemic oppression. A natural leader with a regal presence, he is hesitant to act out of fear of repercussions or failure. His quest for courage reflects the challenges of stepping into leadership roles in an unjust world.
Beyond that, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion serve as a backdrop to the pressures on gender expectations and the contradictions of hypermasculinity.
Glinda, portrayed by Lena Horne, represents a maternal figure and the power of community through her costumes in earthy tones. She guides the group through her folk wisdom, helping them discover their strength within themselves. She may also be a keeper of stories, emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural memory throughout generations.
Evilene, portrayed by Mabel King, represents a philosophical paradox inspired by two opposing schools of thought: Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s concept of the “Noble Savage” and Thomas Hobbes’ assertion that “man is the wolf of man.” Rousseau idealizes humanity’s uncivilized state as pure and untainted, while Hobbes portrays human nature as inherently selfish and brutish. Evilene embodies this tension—she symbolizes systemic oppression, wielding greed and fear as instruments of control. Yet her tyrannical rule is also driven by her own insecurities and survivalist instincts, reflecting Hobbes’ view of human nature in a perpetual “state of war.”
Her exploitation of the Winkies intensifies this paradox. The Winkies are the oppressed poor working class. By stripping them of their humanity and reducing them to tools of labour, she echoes the dehumanization ingrained in systems of greed and power. At the same time, her inability to relinquish her role as oppressor hints at a deeper yearning for the simplicity and purity that Rousseau’s “Noble Savage” ideal represents—a state forever out of her reach due to her entrenchment in corruption.
The Wizard of Oz, a charismatic conman, embodies the empty promises and hollow rhetoric of those who maintain the status quo. His grandiose facade and declarations of progress mask his inability—or unwillingness—to enact meaningful change. Oz critiques the superficiality of leadership that relies on illusion and manipulation, rather than addressing systemic inequities at their core.
The Wiz is ahead of its time as a musical with dance numbers that incorporate traditional African diaspora movements like ballet, jazz, and modern dance, which shaped the cultural kaleidoscope. Additionally, it is an example of Afrofuturism—the combination of science fiction, fantasy, magical realism, and ancient African traditions that critiques historical events or imagines a dark future, inspiring recent innovative films like Get Out (Jordan Peele, 2017), and Black Panther (Ryan Coogler, 2018) and contemporary Black talent like Beyoncé.
Wicked arrives to British theatres this Friday, with Cynthia Erivo taking on the role of Elphaba. Her character embodies the intersectional struggles faced by women of colour, as well as themes of sisterhood and solidarity. Throughout her journey, Elphaba is judged, bullied, and ostracized for her green skin. Over time, however, she learns to embrace her power, and those around her come to recognize her inner and outer beauty. She becomes a voice for the oppressed, fighting for justice against a corrupt system. Her story reflects how women who defy societal expectations are often labelled as "wicked," while Glinda, like Dorothy, is celebrated as "good" for conforming to traditional ideals of womanhood.
As The Wiz and Wicked both challenge the conventions of what it means to be 'good' or 'evil,' what does it say about our society when those who defy the norm are often labelled as 'wicked,' while conformity is celebrated as 'pure'—and how can these narratives continue to reshape our understanding of identity and power?
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