Yellow Brick Road (2005) User Reviews

Great Documentary!!!!!

[crazydustyn · 10/10 · 21 December 2005]

This Documentary is about Mentally and physically handicapped people putting on the play "The Wizard Of Oz"The movie follows the disabled people through the preparation of the play,learning the script and ultimately performing the play.It is very heartwarming to see the people perform and go through the trials and tribulations of performing in front of a live audience.The people performing the play are from the real-life A.N.C.H.O.R program.Summary: The movie was a very good documentary,showing all parts of the production of a play.The play was ultimately casted well and was performed up to the actors highest standard.If you like The Wizard Of Oz and documentaries,you will like this film.

A trip to Oz

[jotix100 · 10/10 · 3 April 2006]

"Yellow Brick Road" is a documentary that steals our heart away. Watching these young people prepare for the production of "The Wizard of Oz", based on the MGM film, opens our eyes to the transformation they are going through. Directors Keith Rondinelli and Matthew Makar pay tribute to the earnest mentally challenged kids that are showcased in the documentary and the fantastic teachers that love, help, and guide them.

The documentary works because of the sweetness and innocence all the young people bring with them. It's also wonderful the way their teachers involve them in a play that obviously resonates with all of them. For this viewer the highlight of "Yellow Brick Road" happens at the beginning as one young woman is selected to play Ms. Gulch, the role played by Margaret Hamilton in the film. It's hard not to cry watching her reaction as she almost hyperventilates from the emotion.

Thanks to Mr. Rondinello and Mr. Makar for sharing their experience and introducing us to a bunch of real winners. The documentary is positive and it should be seen by many people, as it shows us a group of kids who might be mentally challenged, but have the right attitude, and are so positive despite of their problems.

Fantastic!

[divided-canaan · 21 December 2005]

I have just finished watching this beautiful and heartwarming documentary and can only imagine how wonderful it would have been to have worked with these fantastic kids and seen their production of "The Wizard of Oz" in person. Keith Rondinelli and Matthew Makar have done a brilliant job! I especially enjoyed the young man who played the Cowardly Lion... his near perfect impression of Bert Lahr made me smile... and when Dave, who played the Tin Man took his final bow, well... the feeling was overwhelming. These kids and the wonderful people who work with them to put on these productions are inspirations... angels... to remind us that, even in sometimes extremely difficult situations, joy and innocence prevail. This is one film I will recommend over and over again... to complete strangers... in every city I tour to and to anyone who will listen!