Predict the future by creating it
'Return to Oz produced by Walt Disney Pictures and is rated PG (''Parental Guidance Suggested'').
Return to Oz, directed by Walter Murch, is a film adaptation of L. Frank Baum's books "The Land of Oz" and "Ozma of Oz," featuring a screenplay by Mr. Murch and Gill Dennis. The film contains minimal instances of explicit violence, but the overall content may prove to be too frightening for young children. Cinematography is handled by David Watkin, while editing duties are performed by Leslie Hodgson. David Shire provides the film's musical score. Return to Oz is produced by Paul Maslansky, with distribution handled by Buena Vista Distribution Company Inc. The film has a runtime of 110 minutes.
This film is rated PG.
Dr. Worley and the Nome King Nicol Williamson - Nurse Wilson and Princess Mombi Jean Marsh = Doroth - Fairuza Balk = Aunt Em = Piper Laurie Uncle Henry - Matt Clark = Tik Tok = Michael Sundin/Tim Rose Voice - Sean Barrett = Billina Mak Wilson= Voice = Denise Bryer = Jack Pumpkinhead - Brian Henson/Stewart Larange = Voice Brian Henson = Gump - Lyle Conway/Steve Norrington Voice - Lyle Conway = Scarecrow = Justin Case = Cowardly Lion = John Alexander Tin Man = Deep Roy = Supporting Puppeteers = Susan Dacre, Geoff Felix, David Greenaway.
THE BEGINNING OF RETURN TO OZ
Disney's "Return to Oz" is a 1985 fantasy film that serves as a sequel to the beloved 1939 classic "The Wizard of Oz." But in real life the film, was never intended to be a sequal.
The film was conceived many years ago when Disney obtained the film rights to L. Frank Baum's "Oz" books, and the producer Paul Maslansky approached director Walter Murch to develop a script based on the second and third books in the series. Murch's script was darker and more faithful to the books than the musical adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz," and Disney greenlit the project in 1983
"Return to Oz" went through several working titles before the final title was chosen. One of the working titles that was considered was "Oz." This title was intended to be a more straightforward reference to the film's source material, L. Frank Baum's "Oz" book series. However, it was ultimately decided that this title was too simplistic and didn't accurately convey the scope of the film.
Another working title that was considered was "Adventures of the Devil in the Sky." This title was inspired by a scene in the film where the Nome King refers to himself as the "devil of the skies." While this title is intriguing, it was ultimately deemed too long and unwieldy for a film title.
The decision-making process for choosing the final title involved input from various members of the creative team, including director Walter Murch and producer Paul Maslansky.
CASTING
The casting of "Return to Oz" was crucial in creating the film's fantastical world. The lead role of Dorothy was played by Fairuza Balk, who was chosen out of 800 young actresses. Other notable cast members included Nicol Williamson as the villainous Nome King and Jean Marsh as Princess Mombi. The film was shot on location in London and in various areas including the Wipperwill Woods in the United Kingdom as as other places. with a budget of $25 million.
Pre-Production on Return to Oz
Pre-production for "Return to Oz" involved the creation of elaborate sets and special effects. The film featured stop-motion animation, puppetry, and animatronics to bring the fantastical creatures and landscapes of Oz to life.
During pre-production, the filmmakers faced a number of challenges in bringing the fantastical world of Oz to life. One of the biggest challenges was designing the film's creatures, which included the Wheelers, the Gump, and the Nome King. The filmmakers used a combination of practical effects and stop-motion animation to create these characters, and the process was time-consuming and labor-intensive. Will Vinton was a big part of this, when it came to the Nome King and he along with others in the film worked closely with director, Walter Murch so his vision was so correct.
Another challenge was creating the film's sets, which were elaborate and highly detailed. The filmmakers drew inspiration from the original "Wizard of Oz" film, as well as the illustrations in L. Frank Baum's books. The sets were constructed at Elstree Studios in London and the crew worked long hours to ensure that every detail was perfect.
In addition, there were some mishaps on set due to the complex nature of the film's special effects. For example, during the filming of a scene involving the Gump, the animatronic creature malfunctioned and crashed into a wall, causing damage to the set. The crew had to work quickly to repair the set and make necessary changes to the scene.
Despite the challenges and mishaps, the filmmakers were dedicated to creating a faithful and visually stunning adaptation of L. Frank Baum's books. Their hard work and attention to detail paid off in the end, resulting in a film that has become a beloved cult classic.
The film's world premiere was held at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City on June 21st, 1985, with a star-studded audience.
REVIEWS
Despite a number of bad reviews from critics, "Return to Oz" did not perform well at the box office upon its initial release. However, the film gained a cult following in later years, particularly among fans of "The Wizard of Oz" and those who appreciated the darker, more faithful tone of Murch's adaptation. The film has been released on various home video formats over the years, including DVD and Blu-ray.
REMEMBERING RETURN TO OZ
The film has also been the subject of a documentary called "Remembering Return to Oz," which explores the making of the film and its impact on fans. The documentary features interviews with cast and crew members, as well as fans who have been inspired by the film. "Remembering Return to Oz" has become a part of the "Return to Oz" community and is a must-watch for fans of the film, as well as fans of "The Wizard of Oz" and Disney movies in general.
In other news, an upcoming book titled "Remembering Return to Oz" is set to be released soon. The book will feature never-before-heard stories and comments from cast and crew members of the film, as well as behind-the-scenes photos and other rare materials. The book will be produced and written by award-winning filmmaker Aaron Pacentine, who is known for his work in film and his company, Family Films Productions.
If you worked on the film and have any stories or photos to share, you can contact Aaron Pacentine at aaronpacentine@gmail.com. The book promises to be an exciting addition to the collection of any fan of "Return to Oz" or the Oz book series.
