Return to Oz (1985)
Disney loves a queer-coded villain, and their classic 1985 film RETURN TO OZ features two of them.
RETURN TO OZ
1985. USA/UK.
Director: Walter Murch
Screenplay: Walter Murch & Gill Dennis
Based on: “The Marvelous Land of Oz” and “Ozma of Oz” by L. Frank Baum
Starring: Fairuza Balk, Jean Marsh, Nicol Williamson, Piper Laurie, Matt Clark, Emma Ridley, Brian Henson, Beatrice Murch, Denise Bryer, Sean Barrett, Michael Sundin & Lyle Conway
Like the title suggests, Dorothy returns to Oz in this sequel – though the world of Oz resembles the Illustrations from the original Oz books more so than the famous 1939 musical film starring Judy Garland. In a darker turn, Dorothy escapes electro-shock therapy and is whisked away by flood, in a chicken coop, to the Land of Oz. Here she finds things much changed since her last visit. The Yellow Brick Road is torn apart, Ozians have been turned to stone, and the Emerald City has been overtaken by a wicked woman who calls herself Princess Mombi (Jean Marsh).
Mombi is so obsessed with female beauty she has literally stolen the heads of 30 women to wear and alternate, depending on mood, on her own body. As in many Disney films of the past, Mombi follows the trend of an older woman with masculine features who develops an unnatural fixation on a younger girl (ex. Lady Tremaine, Medusa, Ursula, the Evil Queen etc.) . Here it’s pushed a little further because she acknowledges Dorothy’s beauty and wants to add her head to her collection. Luckily, Dorothy escapes. Though she runs into another queer-coded villain on her journey.
The Nome King is the villain responsible for destroying Oz, and he has done so with Dorothy’s ruby slippers. He surrounds himself with male Nomes, has an affinity for decorating, collecting antiques, knick-knacks, and jewels – and he wears his sparkly red heels with pride.
RETURN TO OZ is based on two sequel Oz books: The Marvelous Land of Oz (1904) and Ozma of Oz (1907). Interestingly, Disney both increased and decreased the queerness of the original stories when adapting them for the screen. For example, in the books the Nome King has a magic belt and isn’t wearing Dorothy’s shoes. Additionally, trans icon Princess Ozma is an important part of the plot – though here she is enchanted into a mirror instead of taking the form of a servant boy who later discovers he is actually a princess.
Despite its faults, RETURN TO OZ is a fascinating, fun and bizarre trip into the world of Oz. If you’d like to check out the film yourself it’s streaming on Disney+ and also available on DVD/Blu-ray.
RETURN TO OZ is streaming on Disney+ and available on DVD & Blu-ray.
