We watched a fascinating film from the 1970s renaissance in Australian cinema called Oz [20th Century Oz in the US] last night.
Oz, released in 1976, is a glam-rock road movie that could sit comfortably with other classics such as the Rocky Horror Picture Show or the Phantom of the Paradise. Oz is a no budget film that retells the Wizard of Oz story against a dramatically different backdrop.
Borrowing from IMDB:
Dorothy is a sixteen-year-old groupie riding with a rock band when, suddenly, the van is in a road accident, and she hits her head. She wakes up in a fantasy world as gritty and realistic as the one she came from and learns she killed a young thug in the process. A gay clothier called the Good Fairy gives her a pair of red shoes as a reward to help her see the last concert of the Wizard, an androgynous rock singer. She is pursed by the thug's brother who attempts to rape her on several occasions. She also meets a dumb surfer, a heartless mechanic, and a cowardly biker.
This film screams to be seen on the cult circuit where, I believe, it was once paired as a double feature with RHPS. For the Rocky Horror trainspotters, there are several connections to the original Australian stagings of the Rocky Horror Show and the influence of the show is most apparent, particularly in the costuming. The Bowie-esque Wizard is a sight to behold. Extra fun can be had with the awful fashions to be seen. Oz provides a glimpse at how Australia looked, sounded and felt in 1976, when we still had a certain naive charm...
Below, commentary I submitted to IMDB is reproduced in a wilfull ignorance of having handed over my copyright to them.
I imagine that people outside Australia who are interested to see Oz will be rewarded for being resourceful- I have a permanent copy in my collection.
Wow! An amazing, lost piece of Australiana AND a lost 70s glam-rock film rolled into one. This film warrants viewing simply to see what can be done with next to no budget but a lot of enthusiasm. As a retelling of the Oz story, the film borders on becoming too obvious but it is saved by it's eccentricities. The chance for a glimpse at how glam rock manifested in Australia will delight fans of the genre. This film used to be double featured with the Rocky Horror Picture Show, an indicator of the type of film that Oz is. While not as frivolous or well constructed as RHPS it's hard not to have fun with Oz.
Surprisingly, Oz has aged well, perhaps a by-product of how determinedly set in the real Australia of 1976 it is. The passage of history shows that many of the ideas being explored would eventually enter the mainstream. The willingness of the film to give prominence to gay characters is notable, especially as it dates to the 'revolution' period for the Australian gay rights push.
The performances range from flinchingly amateur to finely nuanced brilliance. The direction is lacking in subtlety and much of the dialogue may have benefited from an extra draft or two. Somehow, these flaws add to the appeal of the film which is mercifully unpretentious. Much like Australia in the 1970s this film has a certain naive charm.
There are several connections to the original Australian stagings of the Rocky Horror Show which will keep obsessives on their toes.
Oz is most certainly a minor classic and a potential cult favourite worthy of review. Laugh at the atrocious 70s fashion, swing along with the AusRock soundtrack, leave ANY expectations at the door and Oz is likely to delight
Link: Oz at IMDB
