The Wiz (1978) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Dorothy feels disconnected because despite being surrounded by her adoptive family during a festive holiday supper, she struggles with feelings of loneliness and uncertainty about her future. Aunt Em encourages her to embrace new opportunities beyond Harlem, but Dorothy is paralyzed by fear of the unknown, creating an emotional distance from her family's joy.

• dorothy
• isolation
• aunt em
• harlem
• emotional struggle

When Dorothy's dog Toto runs out into a snowstorm, she chases after him in desperation. Glinda, the Good Witch, conjures a magical tornado that sweeps Dorothy away from New York City and transports her to the Land of Oz.

• tornado
• glinda
• oz
• transportation
• mag ic

When Dorothy lands in Oz, she lands on Evermean, the Wicked Witch of the East, accidentally causing her death. Evermean was the city parks commissioner who had cursed children by trapping them in concrete for painting on playground walls. Her death frees the children, who celebrate Dorothy as a hero.

• evermean
• wicked witch
• east
• death
• children

After Evermean dies, her vengeful sister Evillene claims the title of Wicked Witch of the West. She rules from her lair where she enslaves citizens, becoming the next major antagonist Dorothy must face.

• evillene
• wicked witch
• west
• sister

When Dorothy and her friends meet the Wiz to request their wishes (a brain for Scarecrow, a heart for Tinman, courage for Lion, and a way home for Dorothy), the Wiz shockingly demands Dorothy's silver slippers in exchange. The slippers hold magical power that the Wiz evidently wants for himself.

• wiz
• silver slippers
• demand
• magic
• exchange

In Evillene's lair, Dorothy refuses to give up her magical slippers. When things take a turn, she uses her wits to devise a plan, dousing the witch with water, which washes away her power and destroys her, freeing her enslaved subjects and ending her oppressive reign.

• evillene
• defeat
• water
• lair
• destruction

The Wiz is revealed to be Herman Smith, just an ordinary man, not the powerful magical figure everyone believed him to be. He is not the formidable sorcerer that the citizens of Oz thought they were dealing with.

• wiz
• herman smith
• real identity
• reveal

Dorothy helps her friends realize that the qualities they sought, a brain, a heart, and courage, were already within them all along. The journey to the Wiz and the challenges they faced together helped them discover these qualities they already possessed.

• scarecrow
• tinman
• lion
• brain
• heart
• courage
• self-discovery

Glinda reappears at the end to explain to Dorothy that home is not merely a physical place but a profound understanding of oneself. Through her journey, Dorothy has grown from a timid, isolated woman into someone confident and self-aware, realizing that the sense of belonging she sought was really about inner peace and self-acceptance.

• glinda
• home
• self-understanding
• wisdom
• final lesson

The silver slippers belonged to the deceased Evermean and were bestowed upon Dorothy by Miss One. They are magical artifacts that grant the wearer power, which is why the Wiz demanded them and why the doorman at Emerald City immediately recognized them and granted entry.

• silver slippers
• magic
• miss one
• evermean
• power

Each character joins Dorothy because they believe they lack something essential: the Scarecrow wants a brain, the Tinman desires a heart, and the Lion needs courage. They hope the Wiz can provide these qualities, so they accompany her along the yellow brick road toward Emerald City.

• scarecrow
• tinman
• lion
• journey
• quest
• yellow brick road

In the dangerous red light district of Oz, seductive smells begin to intoxicate the group. While the Scarecrow recognizes the danger in time, Dorothy and the Lion succumb to sleep. The Tinman becomes distressed but his tears miraculously wake them as the sun rises, revealing the Emerald City in the distance.

• red light district
• sleep
• smells
• danger
• tinman tears

The movie reimagines Oz as a fantastical version of New York City, with the yellow brick road crossing the Brooklyn Bridge as Dorothy and her friends approach Emerald City. This visual connects Dorothy's Harlem roots to her magical destination, reinforcing the film's theme that home and adventure are intertwined.

• brooklyn bridge
• emerald city
• new york
• oz setting