MovieChat Forums > Return to Oz (1985) Discussion > Is anyone surpirsed that this movie was ...

Is anyone surpirsed that this movie was even made?

posted 9 years ago by neopolss
11 replies | jump to latest

Let me start by saying how much I love this "sequel" to a great classic movie. I was obsessed with it as a child, and still love it today. But it got me wondering, this movie is so strikingly different than the wizard of oz, one would think that there had to be enormous pressure to make a sequel closer to the MGM version, and not stay so close to book material. I love that it feels more like an Oz book, but I think in todays world, greenlighting a movie like this would be near impossible. Anyone else curious about how discussions went about this sequel with the execs at Disney?

Deterrence is the art of producing in the mind of the enemy... the fear to attack

[–] rmcrae_deluxe 9 years ago

 Especially when it came to the bit about Dorothy returning to Oz after escaping EST treatments from a mental institution. That didn't even come from the books.

 Don't eva let nobody tell you you ain't strong enough 

[–] jad1986 9 years ago

Walter Murch did an interview with the Creature Features podcast, and at the time, Disney was having a rough time. They asked directors to imagine that recent hits like the Star Wars trilogy were Disney films (because those were the types of films they felt they should be making) and went from there. Walter Murch wanted to do an Oz movie that was more in line with the original books and there you go.

What we see and what we seem are but a dream. A dream within a dream.

[–] rock90-683-757379 8 years ago

That's super fascinating and makes SO MUCH sense.

[–] Arkynomicon 8 years ago

I figure a reason why we got so many cool movies from the 80's was that all the cocaine gave people the hubris they needed to get these projects off the ground.

[–] MsMelbaToast 8 years ago

This is one of my favorite movies, but I do question how so many scary scenes and characters (Mombi, Wheelers, etc.) could ever make it past approval! It's Oz and Disney! Insane.

[–] TMC-4 (20304) 7 years ago

http://www.tasteofcinema.com/2017/10-childhood-movies-that-would-cause-controversy-if-they-were-released-today/2/

10. Return to Oz (1985)

A sequel to the 1939 film ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ Return to Oz received mixed reviews from critics, and performed poorly at the box office. Whilst the film is seen as a more faithful adaption of L. Frank Baum’s material, it has frequently been described as one of the most terrifying and creepy children’s films of all time. It is often criticized for its eerie and bleak tone and dark themes.

There are so many horrifying aspects in this film, it is hard to know where to start. There are the severed heads, the hellish underground scene, and the mental institution with electro-shock therapy. But most terrifying of all, are the Wheelers which are possibly one of the most frightening creatures to appear in a film aimed at children. Their maniacal laughter and malevolent face masks, are the stuff of nightmares.

When Dorothy arrives in Emerald City, she finds it in ruins and the walls are scrawled with graffiti that reads ‘Beware the Wheelers.’ It feels like these would not be out of place in an adult rated horror film – it is enough to give you chills, and not in a good way.

Return to Oz would be hard pressed to find a place in today’s film market without meeting with controversy, and universal disapproval.

[–] breathfromanother (826) 7 years ago

"Return to Oz would be hard pressed to find a place in today’s film market without meeting with controversy, and universal disapproval."

It would have a better chance today than it did 33 years ago IMO.

[–] Firebolt102890 8 years ago

It's a pretty typical '80s fantasy film. Unfortunately this style didn't really mix well with peoples expectations who loved the 1939 film.

Melissa: Is there an F5?
Reactions around the room: 

[–] residentevil6901 8 years ago

I'm not surprised and how it was strikingly different then the original was because 50 years had gone by. Look at a remake or reboot some movies today and they all look extremely different then their predecessor. Personally I like this one a lot more then the original.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

I love the darker tone.

[–] Popcorngal (4883) a year ago

I recall when this movie came out, I was still in HS. But never saw it. I plan to put it on my list for must see. Sporadically, I am reading one of the OZ books. The OZ film with Michelle Williams and James Franco is good too, although critics panned it. I want to see the remake with Ashanti as well, in addition to a silent version.