RETURN TO OZ (1985): A 40th Anniversary Celebration

Introduction

As the world awaits a ‘Return to Oz’ in the shape of Wicked: For Good, the sequel to last year’s smash hit, Wicked, let us look back to the first ‘sequel’ to come from the mythical land of Emerald Cities, Yellow Brick Roads, and Lollipop Guilds.

Released in 1985, Return to Oz was a groundbreaking but often misunderstood film. One that took a unique and darker approach to the beloved Oz universe. Directed by Walter Murch, the film stands as a sequel to L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It was also heavily inspired by two of Baum’s later books: The Land of Oz (1904) and Ozma of Oz (1907). 

While the 1939 classic film The Wizard of Oz remains an iconic piece of American cinema, Return to Oz dared to take the story into far more unsettling territory. Thus, it sets itself apart from the Technicolor musical spectacular that most audiences were familiar with (and expecting a direct sequel to).

Despite the challenges and controversies surrounding its production, Return to Oz has gained a cult following over time for its unique vision, practical effects, and strong performances. The journey to create the film was a fascinating one, filled with unexpected twists, creative risks, and bold decisions.

The Vision of Walter Murch

At the helm of Return to Oz was Walter Murch, a renowned, Oscar-winning sound designer and editor. Murch had worked on iconic films such as THX 1138 (1971), American Graffiti (1973),  Apocalypse Now (1979), and The Godfather series. While he was initially best known for his editing and sound work, Return to Oz marked his directorial debut. His previous experience in the editing room gave him an exceptional understanding of pacing and mood. This was crucial in crafting the film’s unsettling, dreamlike atmosphere.

Murch was drawn to the Oz story because he felt that the darker aspects of the source material were underexplored in earlier adaptations. He wanted to return to the “wildness” of Baum’s original books. Thus, moving away from the sugary, whimsical interpretation that had dominated the genre since the 1939 film.

Murch was also deeply inspired by the themes of trauma, recovery, and resilience in Baum’s work. This resonated with the director’s artistic vision. However, Murch also knew that his take would be challenging for a mainstream audience. He was well aware of the risks involved in making a darker, more surreal Oz film.

Developing a Darker Oz

One of the most striking aspects of Return to Oz is its significantly darker tone. While the 1939 film was colorful and filled with catchy musical numbers, Murch’s vision embraced a more somber, almost gothic atmosphere.

The film opens with Dorothy Gale being sent to a psychiatric hospital after telling people about her previous adventures in Oz. She is prescribed shock therapy, a radical and new breakthrough in the treatment of the medically ill. The world is embracing the advancements offered by electricity at the turn of the century. This will no doubt be a traumatic event for Dorothy, and it mirrors the dark reality of the world she inhabits. This sets the stage for a film that deals with themes of mental illness, fear, and recovery.

In Baum’s original works, Oz is not always a bright and cheerful place to be. Indeed, the land contains its share of dangers, strange creatures, and unsettling characters. As such, Murch and his team sought to capture this complexity, offering a more nuanced and potentially frightening view of the magical land.

 

Many of the new creatures, along with familiar characters’ designs, come directly from the original book artwork, including Jack Pumpkinhead and The Tin Woodsman (not ‘The Tin Man’). The decision to center the film around Dorothy’s struggles with her trauma was an artistic choice that set the stage for the darker, more surreal qualities that defined Return to Oz.

The Visual World of Oz

A key element in establishing the unique tone of Return to Oz was its striking visual design. Production designer Norman Garwood, who previously worked on The Empire Strikes Back (1980), was tasked with creating an Oz that was both fantastical and unsettling. Garwood and his team opted for a much more muted color palette than the vibrant one seen in The Wizard of Oz, focusing instead on earthy tones and grays that reinforced the darker atmosphere of the story.

The sets were often otherworldly, with towering, imposing structures and whimsical yet eerie landscapes. One of the film’s most memorable locations is the abandoned Emerald City, which has fallen into disrepair, its once-brilliant green towers now crumbling and covered in rust. This decayed version of Oz underscores the idea that the land has been damaged by neglect, and it symbolizes Dorothy’s emotional journey as she attempts to restore hope to the world.

The filmmakers relied heavily on practical effects, using puppetry and animatronics to bring the strange characters of Oz to life. The mechanical and puppet characters—such as the terrifying Wheelers (human-like creatures with wheels for hands and feet) and the lovable Tik-Tok—are hauntingly memorable.

These characters were made by skilled artisans who used a variety of techniques, including intricate puppetry and mechanical design. This gave the film a tactile, physical quality that stood in contrast to the heavy use of CGI, which would later dominate the fantasy genre.

Casting and Characters

The casting of Dorothy was one of the most crucial elements of bringing Return to Oz to life. Ultimately given to Fairuza Balk, she was only 10 years old at the time of filming (in contrast, Judy Garland was 16 when cast). Balk brought a natural, earnest quality to the character, perfectly capturing the innocence and quiet determination the role required. She was already a talented actress with a few TV credits to her name. Her performance in Return to Oz is often cited as one of the film’s strongest aspects.

The film’s supporting cast also featured a number of notable actors, including Nicol Williamson (Excalibur) as the villainous Nome King, Jean Marsh as the sinister Princess Mombi, and Piper Laurie as Aunt Em. The characters they portrayed were far from the lovable, cartoonish figures seen in previous Oz adaptations. Instead, they were often menacing or morally ambiguous, further amplifying the film’s unsettling tone.

Production Challenges

From the beginning, Return to Oz faced significant production challenges. Further, the film’s much darker tone and unconventional approach made it a difficult sell for the studio, Walt Disney Pictures. They had high hopes for a more family-friendly and marketable project.

Disney was concerned about the film’s potential to alienate younger audiences. It struggled with balancing the commercial expectations of a major studio release with the creative direction that Murch and his team were pursuing. It got to a point where Murch needed to call upon former colleagues, including George Lucas, to assuage the fears of the studio and ultimately keep Murch from getting fired.

The production budget was modest for a film of its scope, and the filmmakers had to be resourceful in utilizing practical effects to create the world of Oz. The film’s set design, costumes, and special effects were all highly ambitious, especially given the financial constraints. Despite the challenges, Murch and his team were committed to crafting a movie that was both visually stunning and emotionally resonant.

New versus Old

The final result of Return to Oz was a surreal and, at times, unsettling journey into the heart of Oz, which didn’t sit well with many viewers. Those viewers were, perhaps understandably, expecting a direct sequel to the 1939 adaptation. After all, the Scarecrow featured in the trailer. A happy and smiling Dorothy was also present.

In reality, Return to Oz was a sequel to an adaptation that ultimately had not been made. Subsequently, the viewing audience was unprepared for the stark and sometimes nightmarish vision that Return to Oz offered.

Although both films have their fair share of ‘nightmare fuel’ (Flying Monkeys v The Wheelers), the latter film did not have enough light-heartedness, and of course, zero musical numbers. The film was a commercial disappointment and received mixed critical reviews upon its release. Many people found it too dark and disturbing for children. As a result, it failed to live up to the box-office success of its predecessor.

Legacy and Cult Status

Over time, however, Return to Oz has developed a cult following. Many fans have come to appreciate its unique vision, its brave departure from the familiar conventions of Oz, and its use of practical effects. The film’s dark themes, which seemed too heavy-handed for audiences in 1985, are now viewed through a more mature lens, and it has gained recognition for its bold storytelling and complex emotional undercurrents.

Return to Oz remains a testament to the power of creativity and the importance of taking risks in filmmaking. Although it may not have been a box-office success, it stands as a distinctive, ambitious reimagining of a classic tale that continues to influence filmmakers and captivate audiences who are willing to explore the darker side of Oz.

In the end, the film may not have fulfilled Disney’s commercial expectations. However, it remains an essential part of the Oz mythos for those who appreciate the depths and complexities of Baum’s magical world. Return to Oz is a story that dares to venture beyond the rainbow, offering a more nuanced, sometimes disturbing take on a timeless legend.

Return to Oz is available on Disney+.

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