The Marvelous Land of Oz
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90% Critic Match

The Marvelous Land of Oz

9.0 / 10 1981 1h 44mNR English
FantasyMusicFamilyTV Movie

Storyline

The Marvelous Land of Oz is a 1981 musical play by Thomas W. Olson, Gary Briggle, and Richard Dworsky, based on the 1904 novel by L. Frank Baum. Not long after the events in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, a young boy named Tip is the unhappy servant of Old Mombi, a wicked Sorceress in the Land of the Gillikans (in the north of Oz). One day Tip escapes, after creating a walking stick figure with a jack-o-lantern head named Jack Pumpkinhead with a magic Powder of Life stolen from the witch. He goes to the Emerald City, now ruled by the Scarecrow, but unfortunately, a female Army of Revolt, 400 strong and led by General Jinjur, captures the city. The Scarecrow, Tip, Jack, and some other oddball characters flee the city and head west to the land of the Winkies, now ruled by the Scarecrow's old friend the Tin Woodman. They must recapture the Emerald City, defeat Old Mombi (who allies herself with Jinjur), and most of all, discover the true secret of unassuming young Tip.

Cast & Crew

WL

Wendy Lehr

Mombi

Lead
CP

Christopher Passi

Tip / Ozma

CB

Carl Beck

Jack Pumpkinhead

GB

Gary Briggle

Scarecrow

SB

Stephen Boe

Tin Woodman

Rana Haugen

Rana Haugen

Jellia Jamb

Julee Cruise

Julee Cruise

Gen. Jinjur

SH

Steve Huke

Guardian of the Gates

What People Are Saying

5.0
A staggering achievement of craft and ambition. John Clark Donahue's vision lands with breathtaking precision.
Manohla Dargis, The New York Times
5.0
Every frame feels alive. The Marvelous Land of Oz is the rare release that takes its audience seriously.
Anthony Lane, The New Yorker