The Wiz 4K Ultra HD Review

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Urban Fantasy Reinvention

Sidney Lumet’s The Wiz (1978) boldly reimagines L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz as an African American musical odyssey. Transposing Dorothy’s journey from rural Kansas to vibrant Harlem, the film follows 24-year-old teacher Dorothy Gale (Diana Ross), swept by a snowstorm into a surreal, New York-inspired Oz. Along the yellow brick road, she befriends a soulful Scarecrow (Michael Jackson), a mechanical Tin Man (Nipsey Russell), and a timid Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross), all seeking the enigmatic Wiz (Richard Pryor) to fulfill their deepest wishes.

Star-Studded Ambition 

Produced by Motown and Universal, the film united legendary talents – from Lena Horne’s ethereal Glinda to Mabel King’s formidable Evillene. Michael Jackson’s feature film debut as the Scarecrow showcases his early charisma and physical grace. Quincy Jones masterfully adapted Charlie Smalls’ Broadway score, infusing it with new songs (including collaborations with Ashford & Simpson) and supervising a soundtrack pulsating with R&B, soul, and gospel energy. Iconic numbers like “Ease on Down the Road” and “Home” became enduring highlights.

A Troubled Journey to the Screen 

Despite its powerhouse cast and creative team, The Wiz faced significant hurdles. Director Lumet, renowned for gritty dramas, was an unconventional choice for a lavish musical. Controversy surrounded Diana Ross’ casting as Dorothy, perceived by some as too old for the role originally played on stage by a teenager. The ambitious production, filmed across New York landmarks like the World Trade Center and a decaying Coney Island, ballooned into one of the most expensive musicals ever made at the time.

Legacy: From Flop to Cult Classic 

Upon release, The Wiz was a critical and commercial disappointment. Critics cited pacing issues, Lumet’s unfamiliarity with the genre, and the sheer scale overwhelming the story. However, time has been kind. The film’s striking visuals, powerhouse performances (especially Jackson’s and Ross’), and groundbreaking Black representation have fueled a passionate cult following. Its influence is undeniable, directly inspiring later adaptations like The Wiz Live! (2015). While uneven, The Wiz endures as a unique, ambitious, and culturally significant reworking of a beloved tale.

The Video

The Wiz is a new 4K restoration by Universal Pictures from the original 35mm camera negative approved by producer Rob Cohen. It is presented in its 1.85:1 aspect ratio in a HEVC 2160p (4K UHD) Dolby Vision encodement.

This is a spectacular restoration that presents beautifully on this 4K disc from Criterion. The colors really pop and the there is a natural, thin layer of grain throughout the presentation. The Dolby Vision brings out the colors and dynamics even further, which you can see in the canary yellow of the yellow brick road of the “Ease on Down the Road” sequence or the “Poppy Girls” sequence, where the neon lights and the dancers’ costumes explode from the screen, especially on my LG G3 OLED. The included Blu-ray, also from the new restoration, looks very solid as well, but the grain is not as refined, and the colors are flatter than on the 4K disc.

The Audio

The Wiz gets a Dolby Atmos remix for this release, no original theatrical mix is included. The Atmos mix, also approved by Cohen, is remastered from the original one-inch 8-track stereo music masters, two-inch 24-track original music recordings, and the 35mm mag stems held in Universal Pictures vault. The Atmos mix is competent, but disappointingly weak on the lower end. It does move the sound of some of the music up above the base channels a bit and pan some foley effects off to the sides.

The Supplements

This release of The Wiz is one of the weakest from Criterion I have seen in terms of bonus features. We get only one new audio commentary, two archival interviews, and one essay. So much more could have – and should have – been done for this star-studded cult classic.

Bonus Features:

• Audio Commentary, recorded in 2025, featuring scholars Michael B. Gillespie and Alfred L. Martin
• Diana Ross (1080i upscaled; 00:07:57) – In this interview, conducted in October 1978 for the film’s theatrical premiere, actor Diana Ross recounts her experience making The Wiz and discusses her artistic legacy.
• Sidney Lumet (1080i upscaled; 00:11:59) – In this interview, conducted in 2001 as part of the American Masters episode “Quincy Jones: In the Pocket,” director Sidney Lumet recounts his longtime collaboration with Jones, who served as the music supervisor on The Wiz.
• Trailer (1080i upscaled; 00:03:23)
• Essay by critic Aisha Harris

The Final Assessment

This uneven but not totally unredeemable cult classic continues to grow in stature despite its initial bad theatrical run and unfavorable reviews. The outstanding performances from Jackson and Ross, Jones’ handling of the music, and the stunning set and costumes are all strengths that standout even more in this stunning new restoration. Recommended.

The Wiz is out on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray June 10, 2025 from the Criterion Collection

Details

• Rating Certificate: G
• Studios & Distributors: Universal Pictures | Motown Productions | The Criterion Collection
• Director: Sidney Lumet
• Written By: L. Frank Baum | William F. Brown | Joel Schumacher
• Run Time: 134 Mins.
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Video Format: HEVC 2160p (4K UHD)
• HDR Format: Dolby Vision (HDR10 Compatible)
• Primary Audio: English Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Compatible)
• Subtitles: English SDH