Follow the Old Road...

This isn't a book review, nor am I branching out to do movie reviews, but I've been meaning to write about this for a few weeks now.
Those who know me, or have made the unfortunate move to disagree with me, know that I love The Wizard of Oz, and that while I enjoy the book (and in fact collect different editions), it is the movie that I absolutely adore.

A while ago, my mother taped something on TV for me, saying that she had watched the first little bit before realising that if she didn't tape it for me she would be in big trouble. The movie was actually a mini-series called Tin Man: a cyber-punk rendition of The Wizard of Oz.

It is not a hundred percent accurate to the story (re-rendering aside) but since it loosely passes itself off as the story of one of Dorothy's descendants - and the fact that it's just so creative - I was more than willing to overlook this.



Briefly, it is the story of DG who, during a storm, finds herself whisked away to the fantastic world of the O.Z. Once there, her desire to return home (among other things - the story takes a turn) is hampered by the evil sorceress Azkadelia. On her journey she meets and is aided by three friends - Glitch, Raw and the 'Tin Man' Cain ... but to tell you any more of the story would spoil it.

It is a unique retelling, with enough new story to make it exciting, but the interest - and certainly the humour - lies in the references, both veiled and obvious, to the original. I would definately recommend you watch it if you get the chance.

9 comments :

stacey @ bookthirty said...

Interesting! Those are some pretty big stars in it - I can't believe I hadn't heard of it before. Thanks for the heads up!

caite said...

I can't say that I am a huge fan of WofO...especially since I was in my late 40's before I ever saw the movie (yes, I know it is weird) but this version looks interesting. Maybe I would need to watch the original again first to catch the references.

Anonymous said...

I loved this mini series!! I think I started to watch it just because Zooey Deschanel is Emily Deschanel's sister and I watch her on Bones lol. But it was really good!

Ladytink_534 said...

I've seen tons of different adaptations of the Oz books but I've only read a couple of them. Baum was the greatest author though!!! Have you read Visitors from Oz by Martin Gardner? It's SUCH a good book!

I'll have to get around to watching this...

Rebecca Johnson said...

Stacey: You're welcome, hope you enjoy it!

Caite: That IS weird! I was obsessed by the time I was three, so I'm finding you very strange right now ;)

Kristina: I didn't realise they were relatd until halfway through, and by then that was all I could think of.

Ladytink: Wow, no, I've never heard of that, thanks!

The Bookworm said...

When I forst watched this, I was dissapointed. But I watched it a second time, and I thought it was ok. It's very different.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

Rebecca Johnson said...

naida: really? I loved it. Who knows, it's probably cause I'm a little crazy :)

Joanne ♦ The Book Zombie said...

Oh wow, this looks like fun! I had seen it at the video store, next time I'll have to rent it :)

Anonymous said...

I watched this when it was on tv. I remember loving the first two nights, but being bored on the third night.

It was a great concept! I like Zooey Deschanel a lot.

Glad you enjoyed it! :o)