Dorothy and the Witches of Oz is a 2012 film directed by Leigh Scott, based on the early 20th century novels The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Ozma of Oz, The Road to Oz and The Magic of Oz by L. Frank Baum. The film stars Paulie Redding, Billy Boyd, Eliza Swenson, Mia Sara (in her final feature film to date), Lance Henriksen, and Christopher Lloyd. A longer version of the film was originally released as a TV miniseries in 2011 called The Witches of Oz, distributed by MarVista Entertainment.[1] The miniseries was over an hour longer and had earlier versions of the special effects. The miniseries was originally released in 2011 in Europe, though its United Kingdom premiere was not until July 5, 2012 on the Sci-Fi Channel.
Development of the miniseries/film began while director Leigh Scott was making direct-to-video films for The Asylum. Production began in December 2009 and filming took place throughout Connecticut and New York City.[2]
An adult Dorothy Gale is now a successful children's book author and has moved from Kansas to present day New York City. Dorothy quickly learns that her popular books are based on repressed childhood memories, and that the wonders of Oz are very, very real. When the Wicked Witch of the West shows up in Times Square, Dorothy must find the inner courage to stop her.[3][4]
Billy Boyd as Nick Chopper, Dorothy's boyfriend. His name is a reference to the true name of the Tin Woodsman in the original books, though he is a different character in the film.
Sasha Jackson as Ilsa Lang, a popular Hollywood actress who is one of the thirty-one different heads of Princess Langwidere.
Jessica Sonneborn as Ev Locast, one of Princess Langwidere's thirty-one different heads.
Elizabeth Masucci as Jennifer Mombi, a New York citizen whose head is claimed by Princess Langwidere. Her surname is a reference to Mombi, the Wicked Witch of the North who first appeared in The Marvelous Land of Oz. Langwidere and Mombi were previously conflated into "Princess Mombi" in Return to Oz (1985).
Sean Astin as Frack Muckadoo,[6] a servant of Princess Langwidere.
Ethan Embry as Frick Muckadoo, a servant of Princess Langwidere. Frick and Frack are named for a comical ice skating duo of the 20th century. The name Muckadoo appears nowhere in Baum's Oz books.
Jeffrey Combs as Frank, a Kansas farmer who is the author of the original Oz books and Dorothy's real father. His full name is L. Frank Baum, although he is not meant to be a biographical depiction of the author.
The original version of the film, in the form of the miniseries The Witches of Oz, was released on home video in France on November 9, 2011, in Germany on December 8, 2011, and in the United States on April 10, 2012.[12]
Reception
Despite an overall negative response from critics and audiences to the original miniseries version, the later film version Dorothy and the Witches of Oz received better, but still mixed, reviews during its theatrical run. Bob Fischbach of the Omaha World-Herald praised the film for its contemporary twist on the story, but stated that it was "cheesy, but fun for family."[13] Patrick Luce of Monsters & Critics gave the film a positive review, and stated that "hopefully this won't be the only trip to Oz we'll get to take".[14]
