Although dismissed when first released as an unworthy sequel to the 1939 musical classic, The Wizard of Oz, this ambitious (and non-musical) fantasy film has won some admirers over the years. Though clearly too dark for very young children, the film's more ominous aspects do reflect the tone of some of the stories of L. Frank Baum. Dorothy (played here by Fairuza Balk in her film debut) is unable to convince Auntie Em (Piper Laurie) and others that her adventures in Oz truly happened, so she is sent to a cold-hearted doctor who plans to treat her with shock therapy. She escapes and another storm sends her back to the land of wizards and witches, where she must save the Emerald City from new enemies. The film's visual effects were nominated for an Oscar.

Walter Murch---USA---1985---109 mins.