The Wizard of Oz

Rating:
Summary: A Classic - Viewed in its Original Aspect Ratio!
Review: It would be an awful shame if someone missed adding this classic to their library because they didn't realize that this version of the Wizard of Oz is in fact being offered in its original aspect ratio! It was filmed in the Academy aspect ratio, prior to the introduction of the widescreen ratio. Televisions were, in fact, designed to fit the Academy aspect ratio. You won't be getting a pan and scan even though this film is listed as having a fullscreen aspect ratio. The Letterbox and Widescreen Advocacy Page specifically mentions this film in its description of the Academy aspect ratio and how such films cannot, by definition, have a widescreen version. So add this gem to your collection, and enjoy watching with the knowledge you're seeing everything the original audience saw in the theatre!

Rating:
Summary: True Classic
Review: The Wizard of Oz - directed by Richard Thorpe was released in 1939 yet after 60 years is still a favorite among families and always seems to get better. The movie musical is based on the children's book by L. Frank Baum with added song and dance.

The film starts with Ms. Gulch,(a nasty neighbor who dislikes dogs), who attempts to take Dorothy's dog "Toto" away to be destroyed. Fearful Dorothy Gale(Judy Garland) runs away with Toto to avoid his being taken. An approaching storm that sends her back toward home soon spawns a tornado and unfortunately she is unable to get into the safety of the cellar. She makes it into the house just before it is lifted up by the storm and transported to a strange land called Oz.
Dorothy's house lands on and kills the wicked witch of the East and immediately the local "residents" celebrate their new hero.

Soon another witch, the wicked witch of the West(Margaret Hamilton) arrives and threatens revenge. Dorothy soon learns that she must travel to OZ as her only chance to return home to Kansas. With directions from the Munchkins, Dorothy sets off on the yellow brick road for OZ, the fabulous city where the famous Wizard of OZ will be sure to help.
Along the way, Dorothy meets the Tin Man(Jack Haley), who desires a heart, a cowardly lion(Bert Lahr) in need of courage and a scarecrow(Ray Bolger) who lacks a brain. Together, they travel to see the Wizard of Oz in hopes that he can help each with their needs. Their travels and adventures are fun, exciting and even frightning at times but sure to please the entire family.
The Wizard of Oz is a timeless classic. W/OZ combines music, a cast of not so ordinary characters and interesting plot, to create a movie that is appealing to everyone.
It's difficult to find someone who hasn't heard the song "Somewhere over the Rainbow" or "We're off to see the Wizard".
Oz's TV broadcasts are now controlled by media giant Ted Turner so owning the Video or DVD may be your best options to see it.
Highly Recommend!

Rating:
Summary: So much extra on this disc...
Review: Everyone loves the Wizard of Oz. If you don't know the story, just buy the disc. There are so many extras on this disc, and they're wonderful. From deleted scenes, to outtakes, to interviews then and now, to biographical productions, to hour long specials from the eighties and more. There's more to this than anyone can shake a stick at. The movie is wonderful for kids of all ages, and the special features will keep adults of all ages entertained for hours.
A testament to the production is that when I put this movie in, the girl I was watching it with was singing along with the vast majority of the songs. Kids will love this one. Just be prepared to skip ahead to the color sequences.
I thought this was going to be a stripped down DVD with MAYBE a trailer, but there's just one descriptive word for this disc:
Wow!

Rating:
Summary: You Cannot Compete
Review: Whoever doesn't like this movie...or LOVE this movie...you gotta be nuts.
My son started watching it when he was two and was thrilled at the flying monkeys, which always freaked me out a little...he still just LOVES it. He's now nearly 4 and still marvels at all the Munchkins. Doesn't understand how BIG people can be so LITTLE!! He LOVES that!
I still obsess about wanting a pair of Ruby Slippers, but I'll settle for just being able to see them on Dorothy's feet.

Rating:
Summary: Magic Captured On Film
Review: "The Wizard of Oz" is one of those rare movies--like "Star Wars", "Grease", "Meet Me In St. Louis", "Amadeus", and a few others you may think of--where everything seems to have gone right and despite production problems the producers seem to have actually captured magic on celluloid. Even after 60+ years of technilogical advancements, it would be virtually impossible to improve this movie. The Warner Bros. DVD is a transfer from the latest restoration which was released theatrically for the film's 60th anniversary in 1998. The folks at Warners, who surely have skills in many areas, seem to be lacking in the math department, since the movie was originally released in 1939 and '98 was only 59 years later and not 60. That's a very minor point, though. Feeling that "The Wizard of Oz" being such a great movie and a national treasure, I doubt I could ever be completely satisfied with a restored DVD. In this review I will mention some problems I have noticed with this DVD with the caveat that these are only tiny flaws and this DVD is still a must-have for any collection. If my complaints seem petty, please keep in mind I gave this DVD 5 stars.

Like the other great Victor Fleming movie of 1939 "Gone With The Wind", "Oz" was filmed in "Three Strip Technicolor", which was made up of three separate black and white negatives with primary color dyes added to the prints one at a time during processing. Unfortunately, in the 60 years since, these negatives have been shrinking and not at a consistant rate. Therefore, the three negatives which used to be in exact alignment when the films were printed do not match up quite so perfectly any more. This results in occasional blurriness and "color fringing", as was noticed and complained about by critics and fans who saw "Gone With The Wind"'s 1998 theatrical rerelease. Warners promised that when "Oz" would be released a few months later, these problems would be corrected. I saw the rerelease of "Oz" and was disappointed that they had not kept their promise. The film looked out-of-focus a great deal of the time. Unfortunately some of the blurry patches made it onto the DVD. These brief blips may go unnoticed by most viewers, but if you've seen the movie sixty thousand and two times--and have never tired of it--like me, you will probably spot them. [For an example, pause the film just after Dorothy steps out of the house in Munchkinland and step forward frame by frame until you see Dorothy's back. You will get a few frames of hideous distortment.] The previous MGM DVD version, which is now out-of-print, did not have this problem even though the restoration was done relatively recently. I wonder why Warners couldn't have replaced the flawed frames with ones from the previous release--you'd think that with all the technology available--and the fact that they digitally removed scratches and dirt frame by frame with a computer--this would have been a simple task. I also notice that in the Kansas scenes, Dorothy's dress shows a lot more "moire" distortion--when you see all the colors of the rainbow in a checked or striped black and white image on a color television--than did the MGM version. Turning the color off on your set won't help, since these scenes are printed in sepia tone. I also feel that, although the Warners restoration has removed a lot of scratches and dirt making for a cleaner image, the MGM release had brighter and more vivid color; some people will prefer the new DVD's natural, life-life hues, but I think that a fantasy like "Oz" looks better when the colors jump off the screen in all their garish glory.

On the plus side, the new DVD is the first home video release with a stereo soundtrack. Naturalists may prefer the original mono, but the stereo (even with 1930s source material) sounds awfully good. Interestingly, the back of the DVD box states that the DVD has both stereo and mono soundtracks, but I cannot locate the mono track anywhere on this disc. The menus, which are downright beautiful, are somewhat confusing at first, but once you master them you will find a treasure trove of "Wizard of Oz" extras (the MGM DVD only added the trailer). From a stunningly clear and crisp print of the "missing" "Scarecrow Dance" number, to Harold Arlen's behind-the-scenes home movies including a dress rehearsal of "The Jitterbug" to the "Making of" featurette to the vast amount of additional audio material, you can spend hours exploring this DVD.

So despite a few flaws only someone obsessed with this movie would care about, this DVD is a stunner. Any household with a DVD player and someone who is young or "young in heart" will want to add this to their collection. Although Warners could have charged a bundle for this DVD--and it would have been worth it, what with the movie's rewatchability and the mint of extras--this DVD is very affordable. You have no excuse not to buy it. Happy journeys over the rainbow!

Rating:
Summary: After More Than 60 Years....
Review: What a joy to see this classic film in the DVD format, accompanied by so much interesting background material which includes the documentary "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic," hosted by Angela Lansbury; various out takes, including the rarely seen "Jitterbug" dance; interviews of Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, and Margaret Hamilton; and excerpts from previous versions of "Oz," including the 1914 and 1925 silent films and the 1933 cartoon version. Great stuff! How ironic that this film was considered a failure at the box office after its release in 1939 despite several Academy Award nominations, was "rediscovered" on prime time television in 1956, and continues to appear on television screens, either when broadcast or played in VHS or DVD format. As Lew Wasserman constantly insisted, television was the best thing that ever happened to the film industry. How right he was.

Each time I see and hear this third film adaptation of L. Frank Baum's book, I am still enchanted by it while also marveling at the technical achievements in a film produced more than 60 years ago. It was a stroke of genius to begin the film in sepia tone black and white, then transition to color after Dorothy and Toto arrive in Munchkin Land, then return to black and white after Dorothy awakens in her home. How clever also to have characters such as Miss Gulch, Professor Marvel, and the three hired hands (Hickory, Hunk, and Zeke) reappear as the Wicked Witch of the West, Gatekeeper and Wizard, Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion, respectively.

Each of us has her or his favorite scenes. Mine include the tornado's approach and then later what Dorothy sees through the window as her farmhouse is hurled through the air; the series of welcomes by various Munchkins (especially the Lolly Pop Guild members); and the Wizard's desperate response after Toto pulls back the curtain. (We now know that Margaret Hamilton was severely burned during the scene which concludes when a bucket of water is thrown on her and she evaporates.) Make-up, special effects, musical score, and cinematography are integrated seamlessly.

Probably because this film was generally neglected until shown on network television in 1956, it did not have as much of an impact on those in my generation as it has had on our daughters and sons....and on their own children. However, for me at least, the film supports several important life lessons while brilliantly presenting the adventures of Dorothy and her companions. First, that there really is "no place like home" wherever that home may be. For many of us, it is a state-of-mind and/or a condition of the heart rather than a physical location. (Recall the line "I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.") It is human nature, I guess, to take so much for granted until we encounter problems with health, money, an important relationship, etc. Only after a loss do we fully appreciate what we once had.

The film also reminds us that we may already possess almost all of what we need to achieve our goals. Henry Ford once observed, "Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right." (Yogi Berra agrees with Ford, noting that "half of success is 90% mental.") If birds fly over the rainbow, why can't we? Although we may yearn to be somewhere else as Dorothy does, or to become something else as her three companions do, the "rainbow" may be within us -- not out there somewhere -- if we but recognize and then follow it like a yellow brick road.

These are not so much critical observations, I realize, as they are personal musings about a film which has lost none of its charm after more than 60 years. At the first opportunity, I will be off to see The Wizard of Oz in a theatre...curious to know if those around me (regardless of age) enjoy it and appreciate it as much as I will. And then at its conclusion, perhaps agreeing with me when paraphrasing Pogo, "We have met the Wizard...and he is us."

Rating:
Summary: What's with some of these reviewers?
Review: One reviewer said it's missing some scenes after the witch melts...this scene was cut before the movie was originally released ... (did this person attend an test screening back in 1939, that's the only way they would have saw it!) You can see a quick glimpse of it in the trailer (which are created before a movie is released).

Also, another reviewer is waiting for a widescreen version of Oz before buying it...well, pal, you'll wait forever, beacuse widescreen movies didn't come along until about 12 years after The Wizard of Oz was released!

Sheesh!!!

Rating:
Summary: Simple But Powerful
Review: Much of the greatness of THE WIZARD OF OZ is due to its simplicity. It has a simple plot with a powerful message delivered by a superb cast led by a young, unspoiled Judy Garland. Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Billie Burke and Margaret Hamilton represent some of the very best talent available in Hollywood before World War II. There are also two unforgettable songs in "Over The Rainbow" and "We're Off To See The Wizard."

THE WIZARD OF OZ won Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Song ("over The Rainbow"). It was also nominated for Best Picture, Art Direction and Special Effects. The main competition for Oscars in 1939 came from GONE WITH THE WIND and GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS.

Director Victor Fleming had a good year in 1939. He directed both GONE WITH THE WIND and THE WIZARD OF OZ.

Rating:
Summary: a classic
Review: i have rented this with my mother when i was 12 and the first thing that popped in my mind was that this was so much of a take off on the original L. Frank Baum story. i can name a lot of things that do not make it more of the real story.

1) dorothy has this big disagreement with her family then DREAMS about them as all the charachters from oz.

2) in the book dorothy is a child, but in this movie shes old enough to be DATING.

3) in the book the wizard gives the scarecrow, tin woodman, and the cowardly lion the things that they wanted, but in the movie he lectures them about how they already have those things.

so there you have it, a quite detailed explanation of why i am not raising a big fuss about this movie like so many other people are, i just think it's a movie and it should be treated as other movies are. its still a pretty good movie, don't get me wrong, but it's still annoying to watch something that's not even close to being the real thing. i think you shouldn't judge a movie by how popular it is but in how much you like it, and by how right is is for YOU.

Rating:
Summary: Somewhere.....Over The Rainbow...Way Up High....
Review: It's hard to write about this simple yet wondrous and magical all-time classic. What hasn't already been said about Dorothy's trip to Oz, her meeting four funny-looking friends, who skip down the yellow brick road to the Emerald City, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Dorothy's red ruby slippers? Its 60th anniversary theatrical release was definitely a high point of 1999, when its remastered colour jumped right out at me.

That's probably the biggest asset of this movie--the bright colours of Oz. The yellow-brick road which begins as a spiral before branching into three forks in the road, the sparkling green Emerald City and the green worn by its folks, and the field of red poppies.

For me, the most magical line that hits home is when Auntie Em tells Dorothy to find a place where there isn't any trouble. To which Dorothy says wonderingly: "A place where there isn't any trouble. ... It's not a place you can get to by a boat or a train. It's far, far away. Behind the moon, beyond the rain." She then bursts into song after that, but I've always been looking for a place like that--I just can't find it. And behind the moon? I wonder if she means the dark side of the moon.

Then there's Judy Garland, wide-eyed, innocent, polite, and simply fun to watch. That refreshing smile, blue dress, ruby slippers, and that immortal "Over The Rainbow" really earned her that special Oscar as "best juvenile performer of the year." And Shirley Temple was originally slated to play Dorothy? Puh-leeze! And this movie lost to Gone With The Wind for Best Picture? Double puh-leeze!

Along with Judy, the rest of the cast are perfectly suited in their roles. Ray Bolger (Hunk/Scarecrow), Jack Haley (Hickory/Tin Man), Bert Lahr (Zeke/Cowardly Lion), Frank Morgan (Professor Marvel/the Wizard and three other roles), Charlie Grapewin (Uncle Henry), Clara Blandick (Auntie Em), Margaret Hamilton (Almira Gulch/Wicked Witch), and Billie Burke (Glinda) are simply memorable.

The special program hosted by Angela Lansbury and behind-the-scenes is great to watch, as there's background to author L. Frank Baum and reminiscences by Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, and Frank Arlen, among others.

Post-script: I saw this classic in a new, different, and interesting light just this year in my Blues, Jazz, and Rock final. Hint: it took me Over The Rainbow and straight to the Dark Side Of The Moon--and I'm still there. And I didn't need to click my red ruby slippers together. Remember--after the third lion roar.