Oz – Eine phantastische Welt (1985)

Oz – Eine phantastische Welt: Directed by Walter Murch. With Fairuza Balk, Nicol Williamson, Jean Marsh, Piper Laurie. Dorothy, saved from a psychiatric experiment by a mysterious girl, is somehow called back to Oz when a vain witch and the Nome King destroy everything that makes the magical land beautiful.

“Cherubic Dorothy Gale is catapulted back to the magical world of Oz in this enchanting, but very atypical Disney Production that got released 46 years after Victor Flemingu0026#39;s original (none of the original cast-members lived long enough to ever see this sequel!). In the story, however, only six months have passed since Dorothy was brought to Oz by a tornado. During some medical tests, performed because she keeps talking about her unbelievable journey, a mysterious girl helps Dorothy escape from the hospital and back to Oz for a new adventure! The screenplay, based on two L. Frank Baum novels at once, introduces a large amount of imaginative new characters that are either Dorothyu0026#39;s loyal friends…or malicious new enemies. It soon becomes clear that she was called back to Oz for a reason, as the evil Nome King has turned everyone to stone and the mad Princess Mombi is after more human heads for her collection. Despite the presence of a talking chicken, this is a frighteningly grim and obscure fantasy tale, perhaps not even suitable for the typical Disney-target groups. The events and characters in u0026quot;Return to Ozu0026quot; are often quite macabre (decapitation for a hobby, eerie guys on wheels…) and the tone of the film is heavier since there isnu0026#39;t any singing and dancing going on. Perhaps a little too scary for the smallest children but u0026quot;Return to Ozu0026quot; nonetheless is a compelling and spontaneous adventure, highly recommended to those who like their fairy-tales sinister. The special effects are really terrific, with stunning stop-motion animations and some very engaging mechanical machinery (Tic-Tok!). The young Fairuza Balk is an unbelievably convincing follow-up to Judy Garland! The talented Piper Laurie (u0026quot;Carrieu0026quot;) is regretfully underused, though. This film, along with u0026quot;The Dark Crystalu0026quot; and u0026quot;The Neverending Storyu0026quot;, was a huge favorite of mine when I was young and they seemly only got better with years. Good stuff.”