The Wizard of Oz (Gift set)

Rating:
Summary: Cautionary 5 Stars!
Review: I give this DVD version a cautionary 5 star rating only because of the actual film itself, which stands on it's own as a wonderful classic for all ages. However for the extra money you'll shell out for the "Deluxe" DVD version be warned this is only for the true OZ collector. The boxed set includes some very nice suitable for framing lithographs, a large, paperback bound script and of course the DVD itself. Finally that's where my caution comes into play, the usual added tidbits on the DVD are nice but the Angela Lansbury 50th Anniversary section is obviously transferred from video and though watchable it is still slightly fuzzy. Last but not least is the film itself which is still wonderful and magical but be warned there is no "widescreen" version included and this was my biggest disappointment with this Deluxe version.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Movie!
Review: I really really really like this movie so much because I like musicals and I also liked Judy Garland in this movie. I like the songs in this movie and I also like the acting in this movie. This movie is excellent and it is the greatest movie I've ever seen. My mom really loves this movie and I agree with her. The acting in this movie was very good and the songs in this movie very good also. The charcters in the movie were excellent and the actors in this movie were excellent too. I like to watch this movie by myself sometimes when my parents are gone out somewhere, and I really like watching this movie with my mom. Almost my whole family including me really likes this movie. This movie is excellent, the best, and the greatest movie in the world.

Rating:
Summary: Gift set not worth it.
Review: Nobody could ever claim that "The Wizard of OZ" is not a wonderful film. Ever since L. Frank Baum wrote the original book in 1899, the story has captured the hearts and imaginations of children and adults alike, the world over. Encoding this film onto a DVD is of course a necessity for film lover's. It is wonderful to see the film and all the other extras on a DVD. The documentaries about the making of and the history of the film are wonderful, and very informative. However, the film is sown in full-screen. It really would have been nice to see it in a panoramic view, the way it was filmed. Also, the gift set is simply not worth the price. It is interesting to see the original script and some photos. The photos may be rare, but that does not mean they are good, or interesting. My advice: buy this DVD, but opt for the regular issue, not the gift set.

Rating:
Summary: Gift set not worth it.
Review: Nobody could ever claim that "The Wizard of OZ" is not a wonderful film. Ever since L. Frank Baum wrote the original book in 1899, the story has captured the hearts and imaginations of children and adults alike, the world over. Encoding this film onto a DVD is of course a necessity for film lover's. It is wonderful to see the film and all the other extras on a DVD. The documentaries about the making of and the history of the film are wonderful, and very informative. However, the film is sown in full-screen. It really would have been nice to see it in a panoramic view, the way it was filmed. Also, the gift set is simply not worth the price. It is interesting to see the original script and some photos. The photos may be rare, but that does not mean they are good, or interesting. My advice: buy this DVD, but opt for the regular issue, not the gift set.

Rating:
Summary: Gift set not worth it.
Review: Nobody could ever claim that "The Wizard of OZ" is not a wonderful film. Ever since L. Frank Baum wrote the original book in 1899, the story has captured the hearts and imaginations of children and adults alike, the world over. Encoding this film onto a DVD is of course a necessity for film lover's. It is wonderful to see the film and all the other extras on a DVD. The documentaries about the making of and the history of the film are wonderful, and very informative. However, the film is sown in full-screen. It really would have been nice to see it in a panoramic view, the way it was filmed. Also, the gift set is simply not worth the price. It is interesting to see the original script and some photos. The photos may be rare, but that does not mean they are good, or interesting. My advice: buy this DVD, but opt for the regular issue, not the gift set.

Rating:
Summary: How to Love the Wizard, Even after Multiple Viewings?
Review: The Wizard of Oz is a landmark family film based on a very popular novel. And enough has been said about it to last a lifetime. So, how can I possibly write a fresh review? How about by drawing attention to things you might have missed! When viewing the film for the umpteenth time, you start to have a different type of fun. Watch Dorothy's hair length drastically change around the Scarecrow's first number! Notice the use of reverse film when the witch finally leaves Dorothy with the Tin Man and the Scarecrow. (The film looks grainier and the Tin Man's hat is on the opposite side...) Buddy Ebsen was originally cast as the tin woodsman but he had an allergic reaction to the silver make-up so Jack haley was given the part... But, Ebsen can still be heard singing "We're Off to See the Wizard..." After so many years of seeing the film on network television, an urban legend was born. The story goes that an upset munchkin can be seen hanging himself during the scene just before Dorothy meets the Cowardly Lion. Now, with this glorious transfer, you can see for yourself that the hanging munchkin is nothing more than a bird spreading its wings. The film is full of such oddities and the making of documentary shares many of them. My personal favorite surrounds the jacket worn by Frank Morgan as Professor Marvel. The story goes that Morgan went to a second hand shop to find his costume for the part. After several shops, he finally found the perfect jacket - the one he wears in the film. The coat's original owner had left his name inside the jacket... L. Frank Baum, author of the Oz books. With that kind of fun and a glorious transfer, you hardly need to mention the great music, stellar performances by Judy Garland and Margaret Hamilton, hysterical turns by Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Frank Morgan and Bert Lahr, and the timeless quality the film will bring for years to come. Although there are some who can do without its charms, it is universally a classic. It is worthy of this Deluxe DVD set. For those of you who bought the LaserDisc THE ULTIMATE OZ, This is the DVD version. (The DVD does not come with the poster or black and white stills, but does come with lobby cards not in the Laser...)A must for all fans and students of cinema.

Rating:
Summary: How to Love the Wizard, Even after Multiple Viewings?
Review: The Wizard of Oz is a landmark family film based on a very popular novel. And enough has been said about it to last a lifetime. So, how can I possibly write a fresh review? How about by drawing attention to things you might have missed! When viewing the film for the umpteenth time, you start to have a different type of fun. Watch Dorothy's hair length drastically change around the Scarecrow's first number! Notice the use of reverse film when the witch finally leaves Dorothy with the Tin Man and the Scarecrow. (The film looks grainier and the Tin Man's hat is on the opposite side...) Buddy Ebsen was originally cast as the tin woodsman but he had an allergic reaction to the silver make-up so Jack haley was given the part... But, Ebsen can still be heard singing "We're Off to See the Wizard..." After so many years of seeing the film on network television, an urban legend was born. The story goes that an upset munchkin can be seen hanging himself during the scene just before Dorothy meets the Cowardly Lion. Now, with this glorious transfer, you can see for yourself that the hanging munchkin is nothing more than a bird spreading its wings. The film is full of such oddities and the making of documentary shares many of them. My personal favorite surrounds the jacket worn by Frank Morgan as Professor Marvel. The story goes that Morgan went to a second hand shop to find his costume for the part. After several shops, he finally found the perfect jacket - the one he wears in the film. The coat's original owner had left his name inside the jacket... L. Frank Baum, author of the Oz books. With that kind of fun and a glorious transfer, you hardly need to mention the great music, stellar performances by Judy Garland and Margaret Hamilton, hysterical turns by Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Frank Morgan and Bert Lahr, and the timeless quality the film will bring for years to come. Although there are some who can do without its charms, it is universally a classic. It is worthy of this Deluxe DVD set. For those of you who bought the LaserDisc THE ULTIMATE OZ, This is the DVD version. (The DVD does not come with the poster or black and white stills, but does come with lobby cards not in the Laser...)A must for all fans and students of cinema.

Rating:
Summary: The best way to enjoy the best movie of all time
Review: The Wizard of Oz is IMHO, the greatest movie of all time. And this boxed set is the perfect gift for the lovers of Oz, especially the older people who loved it when they were younger. To truly appreciate the supplemental material on the history of the making of Oz, it is almost a prerequisite that you loved this movie as a child. Don't get this for children, though, who are young enough to still believe movies are real and so is Santa Claus, because it might ruin the magic by showing the behind-the-scenes material. For older people, it is a new kind of magic for an already magical experience. A great piece of nostalgia, even if you're only 18 like I am. This movie has had such a profound effect on my life and has made me the person I am today. I am forever greatful to my mom for showing this to me when I was a baby. I truly believe that this is what inspired my young mind to be creative and read and write fantasies as I do today. Imagination is a wonderful thing. Buy this as a Chanukah or Christmas or Kwanza gift not necessarily for a child (buy him or her the regular version) but definitely for children at heart...those people who will forever be children of Oz.

Rating:
Summary: THE GREATEST FILM OF ALL TIME
Review: The Wizard of Oz, I can safely say, is THE GREATEST FILM OF ALL TIME. I've been watching this movie for the last 20 years of my life (I just turned 20) and I've never seen any other film as much as I have this one and I have never gotten sick of it. It's a fun-loving, fantasy-driven, warm-hearted tale that everyone can relate to. The fact that the majority of modern cinema takes from this film is just another attribute to what makes this film so incredible and classic. It's timeless and every generation will love it, guaranteed.

I have to agree with the reviewer below about the bonus interview with Oz expert John Fricke that comes in the Ultimate Oz laserdisc edition. That is a loss but there's so much in this package that is worth of praise that the there's no room for complaint or any negativity. This DVD deluxe edition is completely out of hand. It not only contains the 1999 release of the film with all it's bonus materials and extra footage, but it also contains 6 photographic stills and the original 1939 script with everything that was taken out of the film italicized. It's truly amazing and a must-have for all Oz fans.

Rating:
Summary: Oz is "OZsome!"
Review: This is like the best movie ever filmed! It is so cool, and what makes it even better is the cool things you get when you purchase the gift pack. Everyone should own this gift pack!