By Elizabeth Fitzpatrick
Friend of Dorothy
The highly awaited third part of the “Wicked” film series released March 20. After the first two parts told the story of Elphaba, questioning what it means to be “evil,” the third film explores the same events from a different perspective, that of minor character Dorothy Gale.
The film presents Elphaba’s story from the point of view of the propaganda spread about her by Madame Morrible and the titular Wizard of Oz. In “Wicked Part 3,” Dorothy is the hero who vanquishes the “Wicked” Witch of the West.
The film begins in black and white in the so-called “real world,” where Dorothy (Judy Garland) is swept up by a tornado and finds herself in the magical world of Oz. She journeys to the Emerald City to meet the Wizard (Frank Morgan), bringing with her new friends the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), the Tin Woodsman (Jack Haley), and the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr). The Wizard sends Dorothy and her friends to kill the Wicked Witch (Margaret Hamilton) before he will send her home.
All of the characters have been recast for “Part 3,” emphasizing that the story has been altered from the true events of the first two films. Additionally, characters such as Elphaba, Fiyero, and Boq are not referred to by name, simply becoming The Wicked Witch of the West, The Scarecrow, and The Tin Woodsman, referencing how propaganda flattens three-dimensional people into one-dimensional roles.
According to The Hilltop, the casting of Margaret Hamilton, a white woman, to play Elphaba, played in “Wicked” and “Wicked: For Good” by Cynthia Erivo, a black woman, limits the story’s themes of racism, oppression, and Othering that were explored in the first two parts.
However, when viewed in conjunction with the film’s propaganda approach to the story, the casting can also be viewed as a way that conventional media seeks to downplay the frequently intersectional nature of oppression.
Another change that eagle-eyed viewers may notice is that unlike the silver shoes in the first two films, “The Wizard of Oz” chooses to interpret the magic slippers as ruby colored.
According to Today, this change was made to avoid a copyright dispute as the third film was made by a different studio, as well as to highlight the retro Technicolor film process used.
“The Wizard of Oz” makes beautiful use of practical effects and sets, a welcome relief after the first two films were plagued by dim lighting and overuse of CGI. Even the Cowardly Lion, a completely CGI creation in the first two parts, is now played by a human actor in a furry suit. The use of Technicolor cameras gives the film a charming, vintage feel, as Technicolor has faded out of use.
Much like the first two films, “The Wizard of Oz” is a musical with new songs such as “Over the Rainbow,” “Ding-Dong! The Witch is Dead,” and “We’re Off to See the Wizard.” One song that feels like an unnecessary addition is the Cowardly Lion’s solo number “If I Were King of the Forest,” which drags the film to a screeching halt immediately before the group’s audience with the Wizard.
One criticism the film has faced is that without the context of the first two films, one might not even realize it is meant to be propaganda.
“When I was watching it, I was like, ‘hold on a second. if I didn’t know the backstory of Elphaba, how would I feel?’ and the answer is, terrified!” senior Seth Horan said. “Dude, I’m going to be so for real: I was scared. The scariest part that has stuck with me is at the end when, spoiler alert, when they throw water on [Elphaba] and she melts. Are you kidding?”
However, the film’s stated messaging, such as “only bad witches are ugly,” and the invention of Elphaba’s “real-world” counterpart, Mrs. Gulch, who has the comically evil goal of killing Dorothy’s dog, is so over-the-top that the truth of the situation cannot help but be called into question. Additionally, the end of the film hints at the fictitious nature of the story crafted about Elphaba by depicting the Wizard as a charlatan.
“I will say, usually in stories that have multiple perspectives like that—where a story feels relatively complete and then they’re like, ‘ok, new person’—it feels kind of cheap, to be honest, but I thought it was an effective choice for demonstrating the propaganda of the Wizard,” Horan said. “Honestly, I feel like they left it open for a fourth [part]. I would be really open to seeing that.”
While no fourth part of “Wicked” has been confirmed yet, author L. Frank Baum has discussed his interest in turning the story into a children’s book series.
“Yeah, I just really feel like the story can be stretched into 14 books,” Baum said, in an interview. “I’d love to expand the lore. I have some really great ideas for new characters, like Dorothy’s transgender girlfriend Ozma. I think the Wizard should learn real magic, too, wouldn’t that be cool?”
Those interested in “Wicked Part 3: The Wizard of Oz” can view the film on HBOMax.
Photo Caption: “The Wizard of Oz” may prove to be a classic in years to come.
Photo by Lady Ella the Small