Kodak/Atlab Cinema Collection

A new 35mm print of the feature and trailer are now available on request - Courtesy of Chris Lofven Pty Ltd and sponsors Kodak (Australasia) and Atlab Australia

National Film and Sound Archive National Collection Title number 4506

OZ (1976)
Classification: M rating

Director: Chris Lofven

Year of Production: 1976

Duration: 103 minutes
Format: 35mm, Colour. Mono optical soundtrack.

Production Company: Count Features
Producer: Chris Lofven, Lyne Helms
Screenplay: Chris Lofven
Director of Photography: Dan Burstall
Additional Photography: Vincent Monton
Production Designer: Robbie Perkins
Editor: Les Luxford
Music: Ross Wilson

Cast: Joy Dunstan (Dorothy), Graham Matters (Wally/The Wizard/record salesman/tram conductor/doorman/face at party), Bruce Spence (bass player/surfie), Michael Carman (drummer/mechanic), Gary Waddell (guitarist/bikie), Robin Ramsey (Good Fairy), Paula Maxwell (Jane), Ned Kelly (bouncer/truckie), Lorraine West (waitress), Beris Underhill (receptionist).

Synopsis

A rock and roll road movie based on the narrative structure of the 'Wizard of Oz'. Dorothy is a groupie in search of the king of rock performers, the Wizard. The 'Straw Man' is a surfie, the 'Tin Man' a country mechanic and 'Lion' a timid bikie dressed in leather.

Background

Transported into the youth culture of Holden cars, motorbikes, groupies, surfies and rock music in the seventies, this film aimed to target the young audience of the day which Lovfens believed Australian film producers ignored. Rock music predominates with music by Ross Wilson, formerly lead singer of the rock group Daddy Cool.

The Australian Film Commission and Greater Union provided a combined budget of $150,000. The film opened in Melbourne on 30 July 1976 but was not a marked success. It was released in the U.S. under the title of 20th Century Oz, shortened by fifteen minutes and with the music remixed into four-track stereo.

'As a surreal take on the musical, this film is a one of a kind. It's imaginative rethinking of Wizard of Oz makes it post-modern before its time. There is a legendary soundtrack written by Ross Wilson and featuring early Jo Jo Zep. – Deb Verhoeven

Preservation

The 35mm original picture negative and printing components are preserved in the National Screen and Sound Archive. The final mix was edited (along with the internegative cut by 15 minutes) for the U.S. when remixed to four-track stereo and unfortunately the sound could not be remastered to Dolby SR Digital. The new print will be processed from the original uncut picture negative and existing uncut sound negative. At the time of the film's release only six 35mm prints were processed, all from the original negative.