The Wizard Of Oz DVD > Reviews > The Wizard of Waz

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Soundtrack	Outstanding
How does it compare to similar films?	Outstanding

Advantages:	Happy childhood memories rekindled
Disadvantages:	You may have seen this one before

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I have a secret that I have kept for so many years that I think it is finally time to come clean. I have been unfaithful to Julie Andrews!

Let me clarify this statement. For years I have being trying to decide which is my all time favourite film and have had many a sleepless night weighing up the pros and cons between two major box office hits, ‘The Sound of Music’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz’. Sad but true. Had I been a gambling man I think I would have come down on the side of ‘The Sound of Music’, that is until I purchased ‘The Wizard of Oz’ on DVD.

This timeless masterpiece of cinematography has enraptured generations of young and old children (plus those who never intend to grow up) for over sixty years. That came as a bit of a surprise to me; I knew it was an old film but I didn’t realise how old.

The story, which I sure you all know, revolves around a young girl Dorothy (played excellently by Judy Garland), who in an attempt to save her little dog Toto gets caught up in a freak storm and is transported to the mystical and magical land of Oz.

In her attempts to find her way back to Kansas she meets a myriad of colourful characters, some who assist and others who attempt to relieve her of the magical ruby slippers.

I don’t think that the plot needs much more description as everyone must have seen this film at some stage in their lives, should you require a more in depth synopsis I would be happy to oblige, but here I want to extol the qualities of the repackaged product and to discuss my love affair with this film.

As a Saturday treat my Dad used to take us out of the way so that Mum could do the weekly shop and whatever else she had to do that required the absence of the kids. This treat usually involved a trip to the local cinema for me, my older brother and my older sister; I don’t think my younger brother was around when we went to see this one.

I could only have been three and a half at the oldest when we first saw ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and I distinctly remember the gasp that emanated from adults and children alike as Dorothy left the monochrome house from Kansas and entered the Technicolor realm of Oz.

Confession time again; when the Tin Man came to life I wet myself with fear, hence the title. This lead to a lifelong hatred of the Cybermen in Dr Who.

Every time I watch this movie these days it is with bittersweet memories as my Dad and older sister, Shelley are no longer with us, but the joy from the happy times we spent together is epitomised for my in this wonderful film.

Sad bit over, now to what you get if you buy this product.

I have a copy of this film taped from T.V. and as we know the quality deteriorates every time you play videotape so when I saw this on DVD and in a 2 for £20 deal I had to have it.
The film has been digitally remastered and now has true stereo sound; believe me the difference is astounding. Bundled along with this is a host of extras listed below.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz the making of a movie classic hosted by Angela Lansbury. This is a short documentary that I found extremely interesting, some extras on DVD’s I find utterly useless or boring but not this one.

Theatrical Trailers – nice to see but once only in my opinion.

Out-takes/Deleted scenes – this section is a must for movie and trivia buffs, my favourite part being the extended dance sequence with the Scarecrow.

Behind the scenes allows you to peruse the storyboards, stills gallery and special effects stills plus lots more that I haven’t actually viewed yet as there is so much to go through.

Oz History – this area shows exerts from the silent versions of Oz films from 1914 and 1925 plus a cartoon version from 1933, these are well worth viewing.

Oz afterlife – including interviews with three of the stars Margaret Hamilton, Ray Bolger and Jack Haley.

I have to conclude that this is a worthy addition to anyone’s DVD collection if only to keep the kids, grandchildren or big Kids like me quiet for a couple of hours. The film running time is 98 minutes but with the extras ‘You can while away the hours …’ Oops there I go again!

Things I learned by watching this film, just one go to the toilet first!

Thanks for reading.

SparkyDeighton 2002