There wont be many people who wont know the story, have read the book, or have seen the film at some point in their lives. But just in case, I should probably just run through the plot anyway. Dorothy Gale lives with her Aunt and Uncle on a farm in Kansas. When the evil Miss Gulch threatens ... Read review
When a nasty neighbour tries to have her dog put to sleep, Dorothy takes her dog and runs ... more
away. A tornado appears and carries her to the magical land of Oz. Wishing to return, she begins to follow the yellow brick road to the city of Oz where a great w...
Production Year: 1999 - Music / Performing Arts - Original Language: English - Classification: Exempt - Starring: Donny Osmond, Joan Collins, Richard Attenborough
Advantages: A great classic given a good treatment Disadvantages: None really
...many people who wont know the story, have read the book, or have seen the film at some point in their lives. But just in case, I should probably just run through the plot anyway. Dorothy Gale lives with her Aunt and Uncle on a farm in Kansas. When the evil Miss Gulch threatens to have her little dog Toto destroyed after he bites her, Dorothy decides the only thing she can do is run away. When an old Travelling Gypsy warns her that her running away ... ...and witches. After killing the Witch of the east, she makes an enemy of her even more wicked sister Witch of the west. Instantly, Dorothy misses her aunt and uncle and the farm at home, and wishes she was back there. On the advice of the good witch, Glinda, she heads to the Emerald City for the help of the wonderful Wizard with her little dog Toto trotting all the way with her. On the way she befriends 3 strange creatures who are also in dire need ... more
There wont be many people who wont know the story, have read the book, or have seen the film at some point in their lives. But just in case, I should probably just run through the plot anyway. Dorothy Gale lives with her Aunt and Uncle on a farm in Kansas. When the evil Miss Gulch threatens to have her little dog Toto destroyed after he bites her, Dorothy decides the only thing she can do is run away. When an old Travelling Gypsy warns her that her running away could result in illness for her Aunt Em, Dorothy returns home just in time to be whipped up with her house in a furious tornado. When she wakes up, she finds herself in a strange land filled with Munchkins and witches. After killing the Witch of the east, she makes an enemy of her even more wicked sister Witch of the west. Instantly, Dorothy misses her aunt and uncle and the farm at home, and wishes she was back there. On the advice of the good witch, Glinda, she heads to the Emerald City for the help of the wonderful Wizard with her little dog Toto trotting all the way with her. On the way she befriends 3 strange creatures who are also in dire need of some help. The scarecrow needs a brain as he's only made of straw, The Tinman needs a heart as he's made only of tin, and The Lion needs courage as he constantly lives in fear. When they get to the Wizard, he says he will only help them if they kill the wicked witch, so Dorothy and her new companions find themselves on another more frightening journey, only to find that perhaps their dreams aren't so within reach after all.
Based on Frank L Baum's classic (which was part of a vast series of Oz Books), this musical adaptation was filmed in technicolor at a time when that was a fairly new invention. The colour section exists for the fantasy elements of the film, whilst the section that is set in reality bookends the film in nice black and white. For a film that is nearly 70 years old, it looks sensational, and still manages to captivate even in today's arena of CGI based fantasy. Director Victor Fleming has a stunning eye for detail, and directs a stylish quick colourful tale. He also manages to get sterling performances from his actors. Many of the actors play double parts, playing farmhands in reality, and some of the more bizarre characters in the land of Oz. Margaret Hamilton laps it up as Miss Gulch and more infamously as the Wicked Witch of the West and she's an absolute hoot. Judy Garland is world famous for her role as Dorothy, and is perfect in the role of innocence and naivety. Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, and Jack Haley are all perfectly cast in their roles as The Scarecrow, The Lion and The Tin Man respectively. The most outlandish sequence of the film is when the Munchkins arise from behind bushes and their tiny houses after Dorothy's house lands on the witch. Its also the best choreography and lengthy musical number of the film.
The musical score is as memorable as the story and the performances. A stunning "Over The Rainbow" opens the show whilst Dorothy is still back in Kansas. Garland was as good a singer as she was an actress. Its her only singular number, the rest involving other member of the cast. Bert Lahr's "King Of The Forrest" is also a stand out number later on in the film, as he purrs and bellows through the number. There isn't a single dud in the score, and even today the musical numbers are still enjoyable in context to the film. "The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz" is the number most prominent throughout the film, performed no less than 4 times, but you never tire of hearing it, and its great to hear the kids join in and sing along with it.
The transfer of the film for this latest dvd release is a sharp clear effective one, capturing all the glorious original colour on the screen and marking the film every bit as magical as its opening title text suggests. The script leaves off the dregs of the original book and makes the story, for what it is, a swifter tale. Conveying a message about the merits of home will hit the spot with its younger audience, but still holds appeal to the adult audience who have grown up with it.
The production company behind this release have really gone to town on the DVD extra's as well, and its nice to see such a classic getting the right old royal treatment. Both discs are jam-packed with extra's that are informative, nostalgic and interesting. There are some nice asides from some of the cast taken from old interview's, as well as hilarious stories such as how The Tin Man was orginally cast through a different actor who became alergic to the material's used to create the look. Jack Haley Junior, who is presumably the son or grandson of the actor who plays The Tin Man, appears to be responsible for the gathering of some of the interviews and the documentary's of which there are many. There are also deleted scene's, which include a brilliant extended version of The Scarecrow's first song "If I Only Had A Brain". Its difficult to see why these sequences were removed from the film in the first place, as they are good as the material that made the final cut.
There are two audio tracks and various subtitles. The extra's on the DVD consist of: A historic commentary from some of the cast including Margaret Hamilton, Jack Haley, as well as people connected the cast; Prettier Than Ever The Restoration of Oz; A Cast Profile Gallery; The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz Storybook; Trailers; The Making Of A Movie Classic; Memories Of Oz, The Art Of Imagination A Tribute To Oz; The Legacy Of Oz; Harold Arlens On Set Home Vids; Outtakes; Deleted Scenes; A documentary on the special effects used to create the tornado; Stills; Audio Tracks not used on the film; Off To See The Wizard.
The double disc DVD also comes in a rare (possibly deleted) slipcase which when pressed lights up and plays the "The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz" audio track, something that my niece had much delight in before even watching the film. But even without that, its a nice inlay that features the ruby slippers upfront of the Emerald City.
A great film given the classic treatment and an all new set of brilliant featurettes, I picked this DVD up at a bargain £4 a while back for my niece, but even as the boring uncle, I still got mountains of pleasure out of seeing a childhood classic once again.
Available from all good DVD retailers, but best to buy from www.play.com or www.hmv.co.uk
Advantages: The adorable performance of the unforgetable Judy Garland Disadvantages: Absolutely none!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Wizard Of Oz (1939) is now well over sixty years old, yet the classic film still stands extraordinarily well, reaching generation after generation (and has also become a firm T.V favourite at Christmas). Its transistion to the DVD format is thoroughly impeccable making the whole land of Oz look even more enduringly beautiful, colourful and extravagant, even for its film age. Theres no doubt that the sole ingredients of this timeless classic was ... ...eye-catching sets such as the dazzling Emerald City at the end of the yellow brick road to the wonderful dancing and fun, jolly, infectious songs. That yearning vulnreability that exists in us all somewhere is what the film so heavily and heartwarmingly draws upon. Judy Garland is totally adorable as the wide-eyed innocence of little Dorothy Gale, who is transported over the rainbow by a tornado into the magical world of Oz. The sequences of the ...
IanPhillips 27.07.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Wizard Of Oz (Special Edition) (DVD)
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The Wizard Of Oz is a well known family film. In short, it's about a young girl who ends up in a world where everything is not as it seem. On her rocky adventure to get back home, she makes some unforgetable friends such as the Scarecrow who wants a brain, the Tinman who wants a heart, and the Cowardly Lion who wants courage. There are many books connected with this story and even a westend musical, 'Wicked' which tells the other side of the story. Buying this film is a wonderful way to get into the world of Oz and a great starting point to explore it. ...
bexloui 19.05.2008
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Wizard Of Oz (Special Edition) (DVD)
...its a film that all the family can enjoy, and is suitable for children of all ages to watch on thier own, if desired. The film follows Dorothy through her magical journey, as she meets her mythical friends. the film is exciting and keeps you watching all the way through.
i have personally watched this film many times and it will still be one of my all time favourites. also my family loves this film its an all time favourite for us to sit down and ... ...watched every year at chirstmas. the childrens friends also will choose to watch this film over any other. the friends that dorathy gains through her adventure are lovable characters and have their own traits that everyone in the family can relate to. this film will be with my family throughout our lives and im sure that anyone will agree that it is an excellent film. ...
mwhalley23 15.07.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Wizard Of Oz (Special Edition) (DVD)
The wizard of oz is a great all around family film. But does it stand the test of time or does it get swept away by the demands of a more sophisticated audience. Let us remember that musical film has a specific target audience... while latter films such as moulin rouge and Chicago have been marketed towards a general audience. The wizard of oz falls into the trap of been a classical musical the narrative acts simply as a bridge between the different ...
rougeredmage 07.05.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Wizard Of Oz (Special Edition) (DVD)
Advantages: A Brilliant All Time Classic Disadvantages: None!!
Watch the Wizard of Oz as youve never seen it before now that this film has been digitally transfered from the restored film onto DVD you can watch it in all its glory.
The DVD features 2 discs including 'the Wonderful Wizard of Oz Storybook' and documentries on the movies creation and impact. Also watch outakes and deleted scenes. The other features on the discs include new commentary by historian John Fricke, prettier than ever: the restoration ... ...tribute to oz because of the wonderful things he does, the legacy of oz, Harold Arlen's home movies, the tornado tests, off to see the wizard, extensive stills gallery, trailer gallery and over 6 hours of audio only treasures including a jukebox of recording session materials and radio shows and promos.
This amazing film that was created in 1939 is still an all time classic for all ages and is the most beloved motion picture of all time! The amazing ...
charlottehammond 10.04.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Wizard Of Oz (Special Edition) (DVD)
Arabic, Bulgarian, Dutch, English, French, Italian, Romanian
Hearing Impaired Language
English, Italian
Technical information
Special Features
2005 Ultra Resolution Digital Master From Restored Film Elements, New Commentary By Historian John Fricke With Selected Archival Audio Comments By Barbara Freed Saltzman Margaret Hamilton Ray Bolger Jack Haley Ken Darby John Lahr Jane Lahr Hamilton Meserve William Tuttle Buddy Ebsen Mervyn LeRoy John Lee Mahin And Jerry Maren, Prettier Than Ever The Restoration Of Oz, We Havent Really Met Properly Supporting Cast Profile Gallery, The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz Storybook, Theatrical Trailer Gallery, The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz The Making Of A Movie Classic, Memories Of Oz, The Art Of Imagination A Tribute To Oz, Because Of The Wonderful Things It Does The Legacy Of Oz, Harold Arlens On Set Home Videos, Outtakes, Deleted Scenes, Its A Twister Its A Twister The Tornado Special Effects Tests, Vintage Vault Featurette, Stills Gallery, Audio Only Treasures, Off To See The Wizard
Aspect Ratio
1.33 Full Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Mono
DVD Description
Follow wide-eyed Dorothy (Judy Garland)and her ragtag friends Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion as they head down the Yellow Brick Road in search of Emerald City and the all-powerful Wizard of Oz. Shot partly in black and white, partly in Technicolor, THE WIZARD OF OZ is a perfect juxtaposition of reality and fantasy.
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