Oz - A Rock'n' Roll Road Movie Film Review: Cinephilia

This reworking of The Wizard of Oz although wanting somewhat artistically is a wonderful document of its time. Joy Dunstan in her first and last screen appearance, plays wannabe rock band groupie, Dorothy, who after a car crash finds herself on a strange trip which takes her to the farewell concert of The Wizard (Graham Matters), a concert which was shot at the Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne as part of a real concert that featured AC/DC and The Little River Band. Along the way she teams up with a surfie (Bruce Spence), a bikie (Gary Waddell) and a mechanic (the appropriately named Michael Carman), whilst being pursued by a truckie (Ned Kelly, who was AC/DC's road manager). Director Lofven (pronounced Lavane) was probably the first director of music videos in Australia and with its soundtrack by a post -Daddy Cool Ross Wilson and also featuring songs by Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons this, Lofven's debut feature, is squarely pitched at the hedonistic post-adolescent market. The outcome is an often engaging and revealing window on mid-70s Australian youth culture that although going on too long offers much to enjoy.BH

DVD Extras: A suitably interesting collection of extras include a 20 minute feature with interviews with Chris Lofven and Ross Wilson; an alternative opening shot for the US market; 2 of Lofven’s experimental short films Part One – 806 and Part Two – The Beginning; 2 music videos by Lofven (Daddy Cool’s Eagle Rock and Spectrum’s I’ll Be Gone); a stills and poster gallery, radio ads and the theatrical trailer.

DVD available from: Reel DVD

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