Wicked: The Real Story

The title suggests the documentary is going to be factual about the story of Wicked; but they dont even start to talk about Wicked until an hour in, of an hour and half film. If you want to know about the background of the Wizard of Oz and the author then great watch it but they should have named it something different as its way more focussed on the that than the newer Wicked story or play.

And even then when I got to the Wicked part of the documentry it isnt done in a very exciting way at all and so I gave up and turned it off.

Theres also some sound glitches which need to be re edited.

Some of the information and interviews are very interesting. However, other reviews complaining about the production quality are absolutely correct. This documentary has audio issues, terrible b-roll shots, and narration unlike anything I've heard in a documentary. I hate to nit-pick about that, but she really is off-putting. Over annunciating every syllable and oftentimes sounding like she doesn't understand what she is reading.

The discussion about Wicked doesn't really start until minute 50, but I personally found all of the context about the prior books, plays, and films to be illuminating. I wouldn't tell someone to skip it entirely if you want to know more about the context of Wicked and all that came before it. Luckily, the amount of narration is very sparse around the time that Peter Gregory and Steven Schwartz show up, so you almost forget about it at times.

Wicked: The Real Story is a fascinating documentary that explores the creative journey behind the world of Wicked and its deep roots in The Wizard of Oz, tracing how author Frank Baum's influence and legacy helped shape one of the most beloved fantasy universes in modern storytelling. For longtime fans of Oz, this documentary feels like stepping into a treasure vault of history, passion, and imagination, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how these iconic stories evolved from page to stage and screen.

One of the documentary's greatest strengths is its emotional core. It dives into the love and dedication that creators, performers, and collaborators poured into bringing Oz and Wicked to life. Hearing firsthand accounts of the creative process - the setbacks, the risks, and the relentless drive - adds real texture to the story. There's something deeply moving about watching how much these characters and themes meant to the people crafting them, and it gives the film a genuine sense of reverence and respect.

Visually, the documentary balances archival footage, interviews, and behind-the-scenes material in a way that feels polished but mostly organic. Rather than feeling like a stiff educational program, it leans into storytelling, allowing the audience to connect emotionally with the journey. The interviews are thoughtfully chosen, and the people featured don't feel like talking heads reading from a script. Instead, they come across as fans and artists who truly understand the cultural importance of the Oz legacy.

That said, the pacing does falter at times. There are moments when the film drifts into territory that feels more like a classroom lecture than a cinematic experience. Some segments feel dry, lingering too long on historical details without fully tying them back into the emotional or creative stakes of the story. In those sections, the momentum dips, and the magic that the documentary so carefully builds earlier on briefly fades. It's not a deal-breaker, but it is noticeable.

What makes the documentary especially compelling is how it contrasts the joy of creation with the complicated evolution of these characters over time. For devoted Oz fans, it's impossible not to feel conflicted watching how certain characters have been reimagined - especially when those changes feel like they drift away from the heart of the originals. The documentary doesn't shy away from those tensions, and that honesty gives it a layer of authenticity that elevates the overall experience.

In the end, Wicked: The Real Story succeeds as a thoughtful and mostly engaging love letter to one of fantasy's most enduring worlds. It's not perfect, and it occasionally stumbles in tone and pacing, but the passion behind it is undeniable. For anyone who has ever felt connected to Oz, Wicked, or the idea of stories that grow and evolve beyond their creators, this documentary is a rewarding experience that offers both insight and heart.

They use shitty ai generated images of fake people and places as establishing shots for some reason? I guess it was too hard to find a real image of a random turn of the century factory??? Absolutely pathetic to call this a documentary. Also the narrator's voice is super grating and they clearly didn't bother to do more than one take ever.

This thing is a mess. It clearly was made only to capitalize on the current Wicked craze. The sound mixing is HORRIBLE. I had to keep turning the volume up and down. The editing is just a bunch of clips of random people mostly talking about L. Frank Baum's book thrown together. The focus on Wicked the book and subsequent musical is practically non-existent. Total waste of time.