| The Witches of Oz | |
|---|---|
International poster |
|
| Directed by | Leigh Scott |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Eliza Swenson |
| Studio | Palace/Imaginarium |
| Distributed by | MarVista Entertainment |
| Release date(s) | July 5th, 2011 (UK) |
| Running time |
Approx. 167 min. (TV) Approx. 110 min. (theatrical) |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $5,000,000 (theatrical) |
The Witches of Oz is a film directed by Leigh Scott, based on the novels The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Ozma of Oz, The Road to Oz, and The Magic of Oz by L. Frank Baum.
Contents |
The Witches of Oz (to be released in the United States as Dorothy and the Witches of Oz) follows the exploits of the grown Dorothy Gale, now a successful children's book author, as she moves from Kansas to present day New York City. Dorothy quickly learns that her popular books are based on repressed childhood memories, and that the wonders of Oz are very, very real. When the Wicked Witch of the West shows up in Times Square, Dorothy must find the inner courage to stop her.
Filming occurred from December 2009 to February 2010. Filming locations included Hartford, Connecticut; Norwalk, Connecticut; Bridgeport, Connecticut; Easton, Connecticut; Ridgefield, Connecticut; Manhattan, New York; and at Palace Digital Studios and the Connecticut Film Center. The film has been marketed on the internet with a website, a presence on Facebook and Twitter, and clips on YouTube. [2] The mini-series version of the film is being distributed by MarVista Entertainment, Inc.[3]
The film is being released overseas as a television mini-series, with the primary release in the U.S. being the the theatrical version of the movie, titled "Dorothy and the Witches of Oz". Both versions of the film are expected to be released on home video in the U.S. at some point after the theatrical release.
The film is being shown on television around the world as a four hour mini-series. [4] The mini-series officially premiered on television in Eastern Europe in March 2011. A slightly different version was shown on July 5th, 2011 in the United Kingdom on the Syfy Channel.[5] It was then aired on television in Italy, Russia, and Spain.[6] It was released in the U.S. and Canada through several cable providers' Pay-Per-View services on September 1st, 2011. It then aired in France on October 29th, 2011. Additional air dates have yet to be announced. The mini-series version of the film has been criticized by critics and viewers alike for its slow pace and low-quality visual effects. In a DVD review by The Film Pilgrim.co.uk, the reviewer pointed out that "despite the pace, the story is a fantastic re-imagining of the classic Baum books... you are constantly looking forward to what might happen next." [7]
The mini-series version of the film was released on DVD in the United Kingdom on August 8th, 2011. It was released on DVD in New Zealand and Australia on September 2nd, 2011. It was released on DVD and for the first time on Blu-ray Disc on November 2nd, 2011 in France.[8] It is also being released on DVD & Blu-Ray in Germany on December 9th, 2011. The DVD has also been released in Russia, Germany, and the Netherlands.
The theatrical version of the film, titled "Dorothy and the Witches of Oz", will be released theatrically in the United States, and converted to digital 3D for release in Germany. The film's soundtrack will release on iTunes two weeks prior to the theatrical release. The theatrical version has been rated PG for sequences of fantasy, action and peril, scary images and brief language by the MPAA. A test audience for the theatrical version was selected in Bridgeport, Connecticut in July 2011. The theatrical version has 90% re-done visual effects, and is over an hour shorter than the mini-series version of the film. Producer/star Eliza Swenson announced via Facebook that the theatrical version should be released in February 2012, but "still confirming".[9] An official release date has yet to be announced for the theatrical version of the film.
A reviewer for The Royal Blog of Oz praised the theatrical version of the film, stating that "it [theatrical version] works much better as a feature film than a TV mini-series." The reviewer also praised the special effects, commenting that "the Oz sequences in the movie really stand out visually; the effects are beautiful to see."[10] An IMDb critic who attended a test screening of the film, stated that "As a test audience for this film, I am so excited for its release, because I want to see it again." The reviewer also compared the theatrical version to the mini-series version of the film; "If anyone out there reads this, and illegally downloads the film, or sees in it in another country, you will be seeing the unfinished version. Please, wait, it will be worth it."[11]
"Right now, I'm afraid there's not much I can say." star Sasha Jackson commented when asked about a sequel being in the works.[12] Director Leigh Scott later revealed in a podcast interview that several different outlines and scripts that exist for two more films.[13] Model-turned-actress Chanel Ryan commented in an interview with Geek Tyrant that she was contacted about a role in a sequel to the movie. She instead was given a cameo role in the theatrical version of the first film, credited as playing the role of Pinney Penney. Declining to say anything more, Ryan expressed her enthusiasm and excitement to see the finished film on the big screen.[14] Actress Paulie Rojas revealed in an earlier interview with the Royal Blog of Oz that there were indeed sequels on the horizon and talked about her time on set of the first film.[15]