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The Wizard of Oz (2 Disc Special Edition) [1939]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Young Dorothy Gale (played by Judy Garland), her dog, Toto, and her three companions on the yellow brick road to Oz -- the Tin Man (Jack Haley), the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), and the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger) -- have become pop-culture icons and central figures in the legacy of fantasy for children. Actress Margaret Hamilton, the Wicked Witch who covets Dorothy's enchanted ruby slippers, has had the singular honour of scaring the wits out of children for more than six decades. The film's still as fresh, frightening and funny as it was when first released in 1939. It may take some liberal detours from the original story by L. Frank Baum, but it's loyal to the Baum legacy while charting its own course as a spectacular film. Partly shot in glorious Technicolor, befitting its dynamic production design (Munchkinland alone is a psychedelic explosion of colour and decor), The Wizard of Oz may not appeal to every taste as the years go by, but it's nonetheless required viewing for kids of all ages. --Jeff Shannon


Most over-rated musical of all time?
Review date: 2008-11-30 Rating: 4 out of 10

I don't understand the obsession with this musical and the way it's held up as The Greatest American Film Of All Time (but then, I was unimpressed by Singin' in the Rain so maybe I'm just a miserable old so-and-so).

Sure, it has superlative effects and costumes which remain iconic to this day, but the film suffers from a bloated grandiosity. Much like the new Star Wars, you can see every penny on the screen, but someone forgot to pay the writers to come up with a good story and decent tunes. It suffers from an uneven tone because of the many directors that came through the revolving door on the set trying to pull this troubled behemoth together (the movie that is, not Judy Garland).

I remember watching it as a kid and being perturbed by the shrill Munchkins, bored by the dragging plot and nonplussed by the nonsensical songs. I nodded off well before any poppies appeared.

Now, thanks to the miracle of DVD you can fast-forward through it all before overdosing on the extras, narrated in mumsy tones by Angela Lansbury. Most interviews involve members of the long-dead cast grousing about what an ordeal it was to make this film, only for it to flop on its initial release.

The one highlight for me was seeing the full dance sequence for the Scarecrow and thinking 'a shame none of his energy and originality rubbed off on the rest of the film.' The always-tearful Dorothy and her lip-quivering histrionics unnerved me and from the sounds of some of the outtakes, Judy Garland sounds positively disturbed. Perhaps the meds were wearing off.

Part of my problem with the film is that I'm a Kansan. We have grown weary of being associated with gingham, tornadoes and a mangy dog. People forget that Dorothy spends the entire movie wanting to go back to the dustbowl, if only because she thinks Em is about to peg out and leave the barren farmstead to her in the will.

The ending drips with syrup and sentiment. The farm is a wreck, the house in shambles and her dog is still liable to be destroyed for being a menace. Yet she is supposed to take comfort in the moral, 'be happy with what you've got and never venture beyond your front gate'!

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Reviews


Follow the Yellow Brick Road to a children's timeless classic adventure
Review date: 2008-07-04 Rating: 10 out of 10

Dorothy a young farm girl from Kansas played by the fabulous Judy Garland whose recital of "Somewhere over the rainbow" is both touching and heartwarming....is taken in her dreams to the fantasy land of Oz where she meets up with a tin man, a scarecrow, a Lion with good or bad witches along the way to see The Mighty Wizard of Oz....We're off to see the wizard amidst a haunted forest,an evil witch and a quest to reach the Emerald City were great wonders lurk such as the horse of a different colour.....Dorothy(Judy Garland) was made for this role with her superb singing ability and the musical score...The imagination of this tale is brought to the big screen in the most colourful spectacular way possible albeit the first part of the film was made in black and white....This is a film for young and old alike as like so many other films of it's time has stayed popular so much so it is hard to believe it was made in 1939....truely incredible

TAKES ME TO ANOTHER PLACE
Review date: 2007-09-19 Rating: 10 out of 10

I'm knocking on the door of the big 40 and i still enjoy the Wizard of Oz. I want to introduce my kids to this film when they are old enough, so they can enjoy it for years to come. It's like a comfy pair of slippers in film format!!

This is a classic and if you haven't seen it, you should be beaten with a broom handle.

Timeless masterpiece. Pure magic.
Review date: 2007-04-10 Rating: 10 out of 10

This film has got to be the most magical and delightful family film of all time. Not just because it appeals to adults and children alike, but also because of its nature. It's a film full of joy yet there are dark elements in there too.

The plot goes that Dorothy (exquisitely played by Judy Garland), is swept away with the house belonging to her aunt and uncle, by a twister and ends up on the other side of the rainbow. Or so she thinks. When the house lands, it ended up killing the Wicked Witch of the East by landing on top of her. In amazing technicolour, Dorothy steps out into a magical world where she is told to follow the yellow brick road in order to return to Kanzas. Before this, the dead witch's sister, the Wicked Witch of the West, has demanded that the red shoes should be hers, but the Good Witch of the North transfers the shoes onto Dorothy's feet.

On her way along the Yellow Brick Road, she meets up with Scarecrow, Tin Man and a cowardly lion. They're all off to see the wonderful wizard of Oz who will help Dorothy get home, Scarecrow his brain, Tin Man his heart and cowardly lion his courage. But the Wicked Witch of the West has other plans as she tries to capture Dorothy for the red shoes. When Dorothy is captured, the other three rescue her and get their wishes granted by the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

An absolutely magical timeless classic that holds the test of time and still looks as fresh as a daisy. Judy Garland earned superstar status after this film. She is terrific and perfect in a role that suited her. In my view, she's never been better.

The two worlds of Kanzas and Oz are beautifully realised and brilliantly done. For the time, it's amazing. And the gorgeous songs from 'Over The Rainbow', sung so eloguently by Judy Garland and the bouncy 'The Wizard of Oz' are brilliantly done.

Definitely one of my favourite films of all time. I recently watched it on television over the Easter weekend and I still thought it was great to watch. I just love it. I could never tire of watching this priceless gem.

Timeless family musical!
Review date: 2007-03-04 Rating: 10 out of 10


A tale to warm your heart that delights young and old alike! Innovative for its time, full of marvellous special effects and magic camera work that still boasts wonder - even today! This movie has gone into the archives as a legend - along with many of its stars - several of which who would find it impossible to top during the rest of their lifetime; Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Margaret Hamilton and of course Judy Garland. They would all fail to shake off the landmark that was 'The Wizard Of Oz' - their best remembered achievements. Margaret Hamilton was wonderful as the Wicked Witch of the West', and let's not forget 'Toto' - one of the longest performing dogs in the movie industry!

Simply magic!

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Frank Morgan
Bert Lahr
Judy Garland
Ray Bolger
Pat Walshe

Creators:
Judy Garland (Primary Contributor)
Pat Walshe (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 7321900675369
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Black & White, Colour, Full Screen, PAL,
Release date: 2006-10-02
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 98 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1939
Language: Arabic (Subtitled)
Language: Bulgarian (Subtitled)
Language: Dutch (Subtitled)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: Italian (Subtitled)
Language: Romanian (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: French (Dubbed)
Language: Italian (Dubbed)

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