Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageReturn to Oz (1985)
Director: Walter Murch
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Dorothy (Balk) slips back into the dreamworld of Oz, where she finds a crumbling Yellow Brick Road and Oz itself deserted and desolate. In restoring order, she has to contend with the likes of the Nome King (Williamson), part-human, part-avalanche, and Princess Mombi (Marsh), a decapitation hobbyist with her eye on Dorothy's Christmas pudding of a head. Despite the presence of Billina the talking hen, the emphasis on insecurity and peril harks back to the treat-'em-rough days of children's fiction, and the disturbing/comforting ratio tilts conclusively towards the former. Some startling visuals (Will Vinton's Clay-mation effects) and streaks of gruesome whimsy will perhaps be best appreciated by grown-up sensibilities.Author: BBa
Cast & crew
Director: Walter Murch
Producer: Paul Maslansky
Cast: Nicol Williamson, Jean Marsh, Fairuza Balk, Piper Laurie, Matt Clark, Michael Sundin, Tim Rose full cast
Genre(s): Fantasy
Duration: 109 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Has David Cronenberg turned tame?
Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?
The 10 worst date movies
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made
Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films
Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas
10 unlikely badboy biopics
Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects
Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'
The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing
Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day
Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing
What do you think?
Post your review now