Why Technicolor Films Are A Thing Of The Past—And What That Means for Modern Movies Like "Wicked"

Dan Lalonde
Nov 19, 2024
3 min read

The upcoming release of Jon M. Chu's Wicked has sparked a debate among fans, not about its performances or story, but its visual aesthetic. The criticism centers on the film’s color grading, with many feeling it falls short of the vibrant, iconic look of The Wizard of Oz—a hallmark of the technicolor process. But why don’t modern films embrace the same striking visuals? The answer lies in the challenges of reviving technicolor in today’s filmmaking landscape.

The Technicolor Legacy

Technicolor was not just a technology but an art form that defined the "Golden Age" of Hollywood. From the 1910s to the 1960s, films like The Wizard of Oz and Singin’ in the Rain dazzled audiences with their saturated colors and unparalleled vibrancy.

The process was meticulous and involved dye-transfer printing, using three separate film strips to capture red, green, and blue light. The result was a depth and richness that modern digital color grading often struggles to replicate. However, while beautiful, technicolor was also incredibly expensive and labor-intensive, requiring specialized equipment and materials that are no longer produced.

Why Technicolor Can't Come Back

Fans clamoring for the return of technicolor may be disappointed to learn that it’s no longer an option. The chemicals and equipment needed for the process have been out of production for decades. Additionally, advances in filmmaking have shifted the industry away from analog techniques to more flexible digital workflows.

Even attempts to recreate the technicolor look digitally have met with mixed results. Films like 2016’s The Love Witch tried to mimic the aesthetic, but capturing the exact quality of true technicolor remains elusive.

The Modern Color Grading Debate

Critics of Wicked have pointed out how the muted color palette undermines the vibrant world fans expect from the Wizard of Oz universe. On social media, viewers expressed their disappointment, with one user commenting:

“I know modern films are afraid of color, but how do you adapt Wicked... and make it THIS bland & muddy?”

This critique reflects a broader trend in modern filmmaking where desaturated, moody visuals dominate, especially in fantasy and drama. While this style works for many stories, it clashes with the expectations set by technicolor classics.

The Practical Challenges of Colorful Cinematography

In defense of modern filmmakers, there are practical reasons why vibrant visuals are less common today:

Lighting for Digital Cameras: Digital sensors capture light differently than film stock, often requiring post-production adjustments that can unintentionally desaturate colors.

Audience Preferences: Some argue that contemporary audiences prefer realism and subtlety, even in fantastical settings.

Budget Constraints: Bright, colorful productions can require extensive lighting setups and post-production work, which adds to costs.

The Future of Color in Film

While technicolor may be gone, technology continues to evolve. Advanced digital tools and AI-driven color grading offer filmmakers new ways to push creative boundaries. The key challenge is balancing technical constraints with artistic vision.

For Wicked, the muted palette may not sit well with fans of The Wizard of Oz, but it reflects a conscious choice by the filmmakers to create a distinct visual identity. Whether it succeeds in capturing the magic remains to be seen.

Modern filmmaking has more tools than ever to create compelling visuals, but technicolor remains a reminder of what’s been lost. As fans continue to debate the aesthetic choices of films like Wicked, it’s clear that the longing for vibrant, larger-than-life visuals isn’t going away anytime soon.