Amazon.co.uk Review
Like the Tin Man's heart, the true test of a real classic is how much it is loved by others. The enduring charms of The Wizard of Oz have easily weathered the vicissitudes of changing fashions making the film one of the world's best-loved, most-quoted and frequently imitated movies.
It's now as ubiquitous an American pop-cultural icon as McDonald's, making judging the movie purely on its own merits an almost impossible task. Judy Garland's tragic later life, for example, makes her naïve and utterly beguiling Dorothy seem all the more poignant in retrospect. But this at least is clear: much of this movie's success depends on the winning appeal of Garland's "Everygirl" figure, who creates the vital identification and empathy necessary to carry the audience with her into the land of Oz. We always care deeply about Dorothy, her quest for home and the strength of her friendship with her companions. Garland's assured dancing and singing routines with her ideally cast Broadway comedy co-stars Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr and Jack Haley are still endlessly delightful, of course, and the songs and score (by Arlen, Harburg and Stothart) are as good as anything in the Hollywood musical canon. It is Garland's deeply felt rendition of "Over the Rainbow" that is both the film's emotional core and the reason why adults as much as children the world over still respond so strongly to this movie. So long as people long for home and the love of their friends and family, the nostalgic appeal of Oz will never fade.
On the DVD: another splendid digital restoration from the MGM vaults keeps this wonderful classic as vivid and alive as it was back in 1939, if not more so. The 1.33:1 picture is clear and defined, bursting with the vibrant colours of Oz (you can even see the wires holding up the Lion's tail). Even more remarkably, because the original microphone tapes have been preserved the soundtrack has been remastered in 5.1 stereo, thereby accentuating the lush tones of the MGM orchestra and Garland's famous singing.
The disc is also chock full of extras, including outtakes, audio sequences, composer Harold Arlen's backstage movies, extracts from earlier silent Oz films, clips from the Academy Awards and interviews with the stars among many other fascinating nuggets. The new 50-minute documentary hosted by Angela Lansbury, and irritatingly narrated in the present tense, is oddly the weakest part, with too little hard information and too much padding about how everyone loves the movie. The only gripe is Warners' trademark cardboard slipcase, which is awkward and easily damaged. But this is still an essential disc for the young at heart everywhere. --Mark Walker
Customer Reviews:
Magical movie!.......2007-11-01
This movie is so iconic it is deeply ingrained in our culture. As a little girl, and as an adult too, we all want a magical pair of "Dorothy" shoes. The movie's message is very simple; there's no place like home. The magical world of Oz is in technicolor whereas the scenes in Kansas are in black and white. This helps to show how enticing Oz is. The characters are pretty damn good, they don't make em like that anymore. All of the characters go through a personal journey in the film; to get home, to become brave, to get a heart. The plot is as delightful as the characters and the setting, with a dash of humour added in; a must see for young and old, even my quite sensitive 6yr old daughter can handle the scarier bits. The replay value is immeasurable, I have seen the movie so many times and will watch it many times more. The music is enchanting too!
Overall I think this movie is a must see.
I would rate it 9/10
Quite simply a classic.......2007-07-27
This is one of the all time best films. I can't wait for my babies to be big enough to watch this as I am sure they will get as much fun out of it as I did when I was little.
Why write this comment? To remind people that just because it is an old film does not mean that it is not suitable for children of today. Buy it for them and you and you will remember why you loved it so much!
Simply amazing.
Why is it listed as "Disney's"?.......2007-05-02
Why is it listed as "Disney's"? Never mind that. The question you will more likely ask, when you can tear yourself away from this internet terminal, is "why do I need to see this yet again, on DVD, when it's so often played on TV?" The answer is, because you will be making a special appointment to see a very special film, something that's almost become a part of our collective memory. Another answer is because this DVD presentation looks and sounds terrific, and yet another answer is the extras included, which build on your already personal relationship with the movie. Many thanks to all involved for putting it together, I seem to remember that you were there. And you, and you...
A Review for PINK FLOYD fans only.......2007-02-13
This is the version you require to try your own sync to the DARK SIDE OF THE MOON. The sync is unbelievable. The lyrics are uncanny. The music is awesome. The Great Gig In The Sky / Money, well they might have been original videos. The first playback of DSotM has to be seen to be believed. You can buy pre-synced versions elsewhere on the net but the picture quality is poor, and of course you don't get the original soundtrack. Check out all the sync pages on the web when searching "wizard of oz dark side of the moon" on a search engine.
Enough of Floyd. This is a classic film with some excellent moments. The picture and sound are fantastically remastered. If you have never seen it before then you must have been living on the dark side of the moon.
A lovely family film and must for Floyd fans. Honest, the sync works. The only question left, Is it a fluke ??
Thanx for reading this review.
Bounty of color and whimsy, with underlying meaning.......2005-10-27
This movie is so well-known and so much-reviewed, that I will say little in the standard way of a review: "The Wizard of Oz" is a colorful, musical, enchanting fairy tale that was done as well as any movie ever was. It overflows with color and whimsy, the bad guys are abhorrent (as they should be), and you want the good guys (and girls) to move into your neighborhood. Everyday pieces of reality are enhanced and patched together into a fantasy land that looks part abstract and part American primitive art. This is one of the few movies that can be watched yearly (or more often) without viewers getting tired of it.
On to my more non-standard point: after watching this movie many times as I grew up, I realized one day that one way to view it is as an existential expedition in search of the self. Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow all go to see the wizard in search of that which is most dear to them (home and belonging, a heart, courage, and intelligence (a brain), respectively). In the end, they realize that, through their journey and through coping with adversity, they have discovered, or created within themselves, that which they sought outside of themselves. The lesson: do not look too far for what you seek, for the answer probably lies within and not without.
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
Customer Reviews:
TAKES ME TO ANOTHER PLACE.......2007-09-19
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........2007-04-11
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!.......2007-03-04
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!
An absolute classic.......2007-02-05
Magical iconic film which is beyond criticism as a true landmark of cinema. Judy Garland's Dorothy is caught up in a Kansas tornado and transported via her unconsciousness to Oz where she meets the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion who help her seek the Wizard whilst being thwarted by the evil Witch.
Many of the scenes and characters in The Wizard Of Oz have become benchmarks for later films with Garland's trip to Oz seen by many as a metaphor for the wonderful, innocence of childhood to which we can never return. This is of course all the more poignant and powerful given the actress' tragic and short adult life after making this film.
The Wizard Of Oz is a classic though still cultish film whose devotees are obsessed to the point of reading whole books on its making and impact. To those less dedicated souls like myself, it is still an excellent, surprisingly timeless picture which is well worth seeing or revisiting.
Most amazing film ever............2006-10-07
If you have never seen this film then you have truly missed out on one of the most brilliant musicals ever. Fact!
It is hard to believe that it was made in 1939. The cast are brilliant. The characters are stunning. The film making is years ahead of its time. The script is brilliant & the songs are catchy and you will be forever singing them...
Close your eyes and sing this line.
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high.
Captured already?
See this film in your life time,it should be on your list of things to do before you reach the other side.
Amazing stuff.
Amazon.co.uk Review
When it was released during Hollywood's golden year of 1939, The Wizard of Oz wasn't regarded as anything like the perennial classic it has since become. The film did respectable business, but it wasn't until its debut on television that this family favourite saw its popularity soar. And while Oz's TV broadcasts are now controlled by media mogul Ted Turner (who owns the rights), the advent of home video has made this lively musical a mainstay in the staple diet of great American films.
Young Dorothy Gale (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. As the Wicked Witch who covets Dorothy's enchanted ruby slippers, actress Margaret Hamilton has had the singular honor 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. 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. 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
DVD features
The Wizard of Oz DVD released in 1999 was loaded with extra features, but it's now safe to throw away that version in all its cardboard-package glory in favour of the new three-disc edition. First things first: All the bonus material from the earlier disc is there. That includes the Angela Lansbury-hosted documentary The Making of a Movie Classic, which is worth the price of the DVD alone; then there are the outtakes and deleted scenes, including Judy Garland's "Over the Rainbow" reprise and the home-movie recording of "The Jitterbug"; the sketches and stills and composer Harold Arlen's home movies; the audio underscores and radio programs; the 1979 interviews with Margaret Hamilton, Ray Bolger, and Jack Haley; and other items too numerous to mention. (Some text introductions to the features have been replaced by narration by Lansbury.)
Brand new to this edition is a sharp restoration using Warner's Ultra Resolution process and an accompanying featurette on how it's done. The technicians also discuss how the sound was remixed, though that would have been more effective had it included surround-sound demonstrations. Other features on the new set include a commentary track by critic John Fricke supplemented by vintage cast interviews (he offers a lot of trivia, and debunks the myth that Shirley Temple was ever close to getting the Dorothy role); profiles of nine cast members and clips of other movies they appeared in (including Toto); a lightly animated 10-minute storybook again narrated by Lansbury; 2001 and 2005 behind-the-scenes featurettes; and a 1950 Lux Radio Theater broadcast.
The old 1999 disc also included one-minute excerpts of three early treatments of The Wizard of Oz. The third disc of this new three-disc collector's edition includes the complete versions of those treatments and more. They are four silent films: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1910, 13 min.), The Magic Cloak of Oz (1914, 38 min.), His Majesty, the Scarecrow of Oz (1914, 59 min., written and directed by Baum himself), The Wizard of Oz (1925, 72 min., Larry Semon). The fifth treatment is Ted Eshbaum's 1933 Technicolor cartoon short which has songs and sound, and is the first depiction of Kansas in black and white and Oz in colour. The third disc also has a 38-minute biography of L. Frank Baum and collector's-edition supplements include a gorgeous set of photo cards among other materials. This is a gloriously comprehensive addition to anyone's classic DVD collection. --David Horiuchi
Customer Reviews:
Glorious film-making.......2007-09-05
With three discs in this boxed set this is the definitive edition of the Wizard of Oz to buy. The first disc contains the original film and interviews. The second disc contains a number of documentaries on the making of the film. The third disc contains four older film versions as well as a documentary. Most of the documentaries were made in 1990, no doubt to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the films making.
Even now nearly seventy years later, this is the of the best films you can buy for your children. As an adult its still superb entertainment and contains one of the greatest songs ever written (Over the Rainbow). The film is from the golden age of Hollywood, lavish sets, great special effects (for the era) and marvellous performances from the main actors and actresses.
This has literally hours and hours of extras as well as the original 98min film. At its current price this is one of the best value DVD boxed sets you can buy. This is timeless entertainment that all the family (except perhaps a few grumpy teenagers!) will enjoy.
What a wiz!.......2007-04-02
I have the R1 edition of this, aswell as every other version available to mankind and I would like to say this is the definitive edition. The original Oz DVD release came with more extras than I thought possible on one disc, but this surpasses even that. There are replicas of original movie tickets, invites, photos, plus more extras than you can shake a fighting tree at. It even includeds programmes made for satellite tv on Oz. If you don't buy this, beware before somebody drops a house on you!
Amazon.co.uk Review
Like the Tin Man's heart, the true test of a real classic is how much it is loved by others. The enduring charms of The Wizard of Oz have easily weathered the vicissitudes of changing fashions making the film one of the world's best-loved, most-quoted and frequently imitated movies.
It's now as ubiquitous an American pop-cultural icon as McDonald's, making judging the movie purely on its own merits an almost impossible task. Judy Garland's tragic later life, for example, makes her naïve and utterly beguiling Dorothy seem all the more poignant in retrospect. But this at least is clear: much of this movie's success depends on the winning appeal of Garland's "Everygirl" figure, who creates the vital identification and empathy necessary to carry the audience with her into the land of Oz. We always care deeply about Dorothy, her quest for home and the strength of her friendship with her companions. Garland's assured dancing and singing routines with her ideally cast Broadway comedy co-stars Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr and Jack Haley are still endlessly delightful, of course, and the songs and score (by Arlen, Harburg and Stothart) are as good as anything in the Hollywood musical canon. It is Garland's deeply felt rendition of "Over the Rainbow" that is both the film's emotional core and the reason why adults as much as children the world over still respond so strongly to this movie. So long as people long for home and the love of their friends and family, the nostalgic appeal of Oz will never fade.
On the DVD: another splendid digital restoration from the MGM vaults keeps this wonderful classic as vivid and alive as it was back in 1939, if not more so. The 1.33:1 picture is clear and defined, bursting with the vibrant colours of Oz (you can even see the wires holding up the Lion's tail). Even more remarkably, because the original microphone tapes have been preserved the soundtrack has been remastered in 5.1 stereo, thereby accentuating the lush tones of the MGM orchestra and Garland's famous singing.
The disc is also chock full of extras, including outtakes, audio sequences, composer Harold Arlen's backstage movies, extracts from earlier silent Oz films, clips from the Academy Awards and interviews with the stars among many other fascinating nuggets. The new 50-minute documentary hosted by Angela Lansbury, and irritatingly narrated in the present tense, is oddly the weakest part, with too little hard information and too much padding about how everyone loves the movie. The only gripe is Warners' trademark cardboard slipcase, which is awkward and easily damaged. But this is still an essential disc for the young at heart everywhere. --Mark Walker
Customer Reviews:
Magical movie!.......2007-11-01
This movie is so iconic it is deeply ingrained in our culture. As a little girl, and as an adult too, we all want a magical pair of "Dorothy" shoes. The movie's message is very simple; there's no place like home. The magical world of Oz is in technicolor whereas the scenes in Kansas are in black and white. This helps to show how enticing Oz is. The characters are pretty damn good, they don't make em like that anymore. All of the characters go through a personal journey in the film; to get home, to become brave, to get a heart. The plot is as delightful as the characters and the setting, with a dash of humour added in; a must see for young and old, even my quite sensitive 6yr old daughter can handle the scarier bits. The replay value is immeasurable, I have seen the movie so many times and will watch it many times more. The music is enchanting too!
Overall I think this movie is a must see.
I would rate it 9/10
Quite simply a classic.......2007-07-27
This is one of the all time best films. I can't wait for my babies to be big enough to watch this as I am sure they will get as much fun out of it as I did when I was little.
Why write this comment? To remind people that just because it is an old film does not mean that it is not suitable for children of today. Buy it for them and you and you will remember why you loved it so much!
Simply amazing.
Why is it listed as "Disney's"?.......2007-05-02
Why is it listed as "Disney's"? Never mind that. The question you will more likely ask, when you can tear yourself away from this internet terminal, is "why do I need to see this yet again, on DVD, when it's so often played on TV?" The answer is, because you will be making a special appointment to see a very special film, something that's almost become a part of our collective memory. Another answer is because this DVD presentation looks and sounds terrific, and yet another answer is the extras included, which build on your already personal relationship with the movie. Many thanks to all involved for putting it together, I seem to remember that you were there. And you, and you...
A Review for PINK FLOYD fans only.......2007-02-13
This is the version you require to try your own sync to the DARK SIDE OF THE MOON. The sync is unbelievable. The lyrics are uncanny. The music is awesome. The Great Gig In The Sky / Money, well they might have been original videos. The first playback of DSotM has to be seen to be believed. You can buy pre-synced versions elsewhere on the net but the picture quality is poor, and of course you don't get the original soundtrack. Check out all the sync pages on the web when searching "wizard of oz dark side of the moon" on a search engine.
Enough of Floyd. This is a classic film with some excellent moments. The picture and sound are fantastically remastered. If you have never seen it before then you must have been living on the dark side of the moon.
A lovely family film and must for Floyd fans. Honest, the sync works. The only question left, Is it a fluke ??
Thanx for reading this review.
Bounty of color and whimsy, with underlying meaning.......2005-10-27
This movie is so well-known and so much-reviewed, that I will say little in the standard way of a review: "The Wizard of Oz" is a colorful, musical, enchanting fairy tale that was done as well as any movie ever was. It overflows with color and whimsy, the bad guys are abhorrent (as they should be), and you want the good guys (and girls) to move into your neighborhood. Everyday pieces of reality are enhanced and patched together into a fantasy land that looks part abstract and part American primitive art. This is one of the few movies that can be watched yearly (or more often) without viewers getting tired of it.
On to my more non-standard point: after watching this movie many times as I grew up, I realized one day that one way to view it is as an existential expedition in search of the self. Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow all go to see the wizard in search of that which is most dear to them (home and belonging, a heart, courage, and intelligence (a brain), respectively). In the end, they realize that, through their journey and through coping with adversity, they have discovered, or created within themselves, that which they sought outside of themselves. The lesson: do not look too far for what you seek, for the answer probably lies within and not without.
Amazon.co.uk Review
Like the Tin Man's heart, the true test of a real classic is how much it is loved by others. The enduring charms of The Wizard of Oz have easily weathered the vicissitudes of changing fashions making the film one of the world's best-loved, most-quoted and frequently imitated movies.
It's now as ubiquitous an American pop-cultural icon as McDonald's, making judging the movie purely on its own merits an almost impossible task. Judy Garland's tragic later life, for example, makes her naïve and utterly beguiling Dorothy seem all the more poignant in retrospect. But this at least is clear: much of this movie's success depends on the winning appeal of Garland's "Everygirl" figure, who creates the vital identification and empathy necessary to carry the audience with her into the land of Oz. We always care deeply about Dorothy, her quest for home and the strength of her friendship with her companions. Garland's assured dancing and singing routines with her ideally cast Broadway comedy co-stars Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr and Jack Haley are still endlessly delightful, of course, and the songs and score (by Arlen, Harburg and Stothart) are as good as anything in the Hollywood musical canon. It is Garland's deeply felt rendition of "Over the Rainbow" that is both the film's emotional core and the reason why adults as much as children the world over still respond so strongly to this movie. So long as people long for home and the love of their friends and family, the nostalgic appeal of Oz will never fade.
On the DVD: another splendid digital restoration from the MGM vaults keeps this wonderful classic as vivid and alive as it was back in 1939, if not more so. The 1.33:1 picture is clear and defined, bursting with the vibrant colours of Oz (you can even see the wires holding up the Lion's tail). Even more remarkably, because the original microphone tapes have been preserved the soundtrack has been remastered in 5.1 stereo, thereby accentuating the lush tones of the MGM orchestra and Garland's famous singing.
The disc is also chock full of extras, including outtakes, audio sequences, composer Harold Arlen's backstage movies, extracts from earlier silent Oz films, clips from the Academy Awards and interviews with the stars among many other fascinating nuggets. The new 50-minute documentary hosted by Angela Lansbury, and irritatingly narrated in the present tense, is oddly the weakest part, with too little hard information and too much padding about how everyone loves the movie. The only gripe is Warners' trademark cardboard slipcase, which is awkward and easily damaged. But this is still an essential disc for the young at heart everywhere. --Mark Walker
Amazon.co.uk Review
Like the Tin Man's heart, the true test of a real classic is how much it is loved by others. The enduring charms of The Wizard of Oz have easily weathered the vicissitudes of changing fashions making the film one of the world's best-loved, most-quoted and frequently imitated movies.
It's now as ubiquitous an American pop-cultural icon as McDonald's, making judging the movie purely on its own merits an almost impossible task. Judy Garland's tragic later life, for example, makes her naïve and utterly beguiling Dorothy seem all the more poignant in retrospect. But this at least is clear: much of this movie's success depends on the winning appeal of Garland's "Everygirl" figure, who creates the vital identification and empathy necessary to carry the audience with her into the land of Oz. We always care deeply about Dorothy, her quest for home and the strength of her friendship with her companions. Garland's assured dancing and singing routines with her ideally cast Broadway comedy co-stars Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr and Jack Haley are still endlessly delightful, of course, and the songs and score (by Arlen, Harburg and Stothart) are as good as anything in the Hollywood musical canon. It is Garland's deeply felt rendition of "Over the Rainbow" that is both the film's emotional core and the reason why adults as much as children the world over still respond so strongly to this movie. So long as people long for home and the love of their friends and family, the nostalgic appeal of Oz will never fade.
On the DVD: another splendid digital restoration from the MGM vaults keeps this wonderful classic as vivid and alive as it was back in 1939, if not more so. The 1.33:1 picture is clear and defined, bursting with the vibrant colours of Oz (you can even see the wires holding up the Lion's tail). Even more remarkably, because the original microphone tapes have been preserved the soundtrack has been remastered in 5.1 stereo, thereby accentuating the lush tones of the MGM orchestra and Garland's famous singing.
The disc is also chock full of extras, including outtakes, audio sequences, composer Harold Arlen's backstage movies, extracts from earlier silent Oz films, clips from the Academy Awards and interviews with the stars among many other fascinating nuggets. The new 50-minute documentary hosted by Angela Lansbury, and irritatingly narrated in the present tense, is oddly the weakest part, with too little hard information and too much padding about how everyone loves the movie. The only gripe is Warners' trademark cardboard slipcase, which is awkward and easily damaged. But this is still an essential disc for the young at heart everywhere. --Mark Walker
Customer Reviews:
Magical movie!.......2007-11-01
This movie is so iconic it is deeply ingrained in our culture. As a little girl, and as an adult too, we all want a magical pair of "Dorothy" shoes. The movie's message is very simple; there's no place like home. The magical world of Oz is in technicolor whereas the scenes in Kansas are in black and white. This helps to show how enticing Oz is. The characters are pretty damn good, they don't make em like that anymore. All of the characters go through a personal journey in the film; to get home, to become brave, to get a heart. The plot is as delightful as the characters and the setting, with a dash of humour added in; a must see for young and old, even my quite sensitive 6yr old daughter can handle the scarier bits. The replay value is immeasurable, I have seen the movie so many times and will watch it many times more. The music is enchanting too!
Overall I think this movie is a must see.
I would rate it 9/10
Quite simply a classic.......2007-07-27
This is one of the all time best films. I can't wait for my babies to be big enough to watch this as I am sure they will get as much fun out of it as I did when I was little.
Why write this comment? To remind people that just because it is an old film does not mean that it is not suitable for children of today. Buy it for them and you and you will remember why you loved it so much!
Simply amazing.
Why is it listed as "Disney's"?.......2007-05-02
Why is it listed as "Disney's"? Never mind that. The question you will more likely ask, when you can tear yourself away from this internet terminal, is "why do I need to see this yet again, on DVD, when it's so often played on TV?" The answer is, because you will be making a special appointment to see a very special film, something that's almost become a part of our collective memory. Another answer is because this DVD presentation looks and sounds terrific, and yet another answer is the extras included, which build on your already personal relationship with the movie. Many thanks to all involved for putting it together, I seem to remember that you were there. And you, and you...
A Review for PINK FLOYD fans only.......2007-02-13
This is the version you require to try your own sync to the DARK SIDE OF THE MOON. The sync is unbelievable. The lyrics are uncanny. The music is awesome. The Great Gig In The Sky / Money, well they might have been original videos. The first playback of DSotM has to be seen to be believed. You can buy pre-synced versions elsewhere on the net but the picture quality is poor, and of course you don't get the original soundtrack. Check out all the sync pages on the web when searching "wizard of oz dark side of the moon" on a search engine.
Enough of Floyd. This is a classic film with some excellent moments. The picture and sound are fantastically remastered. If you have never seen it before then you must have been living on the dark side of the moon.
A lovely family film and must for Floyd fans. Honest, the sync works. The only question left, Is it a fluke ??
Thanx for reading this review.
Bounty of color and whimsy, with underlying meaning.......2005-10-27
This movie is so well-known and so much-reviewed, that I will say little in the standard way of a review: "The Wizard of Oz" is a colorful, musical, enchanting fairy tale that was done as well as any movie ever was. It overflows with color and whimsy, the bad guys are abhorrent (as they should be), and you want the good guys (and girls) to move into your neighborhood. Everyday pieces of reality are enhanced and patched together into a fantasy land that looks part abstract and part American primitive art. This is one of the few movies that can be watched yearly (or more often) without viewers getting tired of it.
On to my more non-standard point: after watching this movie many times as I grew up, I realized one day that one way to view it is as an existential expedition in search of the self. Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow all go to see the wizard in search of that which is most dear to them (home and belonging, a heart, courage, and intelligence (a brain), respectively). In the end, they realize that, through their journey and through coping with adversity, they have discovered, or created within themselves, that which they sought outside of themselves. The lesson: do not look too far for what you seek, for the answer probably lies within and not without.
Amazon.co.uk Review
Like the Tin Man's heart, the true test of a real classic is how much it is loved by others. The enduring charms of The Wizard of Oz have easily weathered the vicissitudes of changing fashions making the film one of the world's best-loved, most-quoted and frequently imitated movies.
It's now as ubiquitous an American pop-cultural icon as McDonald's, making judging the movie purely on its own merits an almost impossible task. Judy Garland's tragic later life, for example, makes her naïve and utterly beguiling Dorothy seem all the more poignant in retrospect. But this at least is clear: much of this movie's success depends on the winning appeal of Garland's "Everygirl" figure, who creates the vital identification and empathy necessary to carry the audience with her into the land of Oz. We always care deeply about Dorothy, her quest for home and the strength of her friendship with her companions. Garland's assured dancing and singing routines with her ideally cast Broadway comedy co-stars Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr and Jack Haley are still endlessly delightful, of course, and the songs and score (by Arlen, Harburg and Stothart) are as good as anything in the Hollywood musical canon. It is Garland's deeply felt rendition of "Over the Rainbow" that is both the film's emotional core and the reason why adults as much as children the world over still respond so strongly to this movie. So long as people long for home and the love of their friends and family, the nostalgic appeal of Oz will never fade.
On the DVD: another splendid digital restoration from the MGM vaults keeps this wonderful classic as vivid and alive as it was back in 1939, if not more so. The 1.33:1 picture is clear and defined, bursting with the vibrant colours of Oz (you can even see the wires holding up the Lion's tail). Even more remarkably, because the original microphone tapes have been preserved the soundtrack has been remastered in 5.1 stereo, thereby accentuating the lush tones of the MGM orchestra and Garland's famous singing.
The disc is also chock full of extras, including outtakes, audio sequences, composer Harold Arlen's backstage movies, extracts from earlier silent Oz films, clips from the Academy Awards and interviews with the stars among many other fascinating nuggets. The new 50-minute documentary hosted by Angela Lansbury, and irritatingly narrated in the present tense, is oddly the weakest part, with too little hard information and too much padding about how everyone loves the movie. The only gripe is Warners' trademark cardboard slipcase, which is awkward and easily damaged. But this is still an essential disc for the young at heart everywhere. --Mark Walker
Customer Reviews:
Magical movie!.......2007-11-01
This movie is so iconic it is deeply ingrained in our culture. As a little girl, and as an adult too, we all want a magical pair of "Dorothy" shoes. The movie's message is very simple; there's no place like home. The magical world of Oz is in technicolor whereas the scenes in Kansas are in black and white. This helps to show how enticing Oz is. The characters are pretty damn good, they don't make em like that anymore. All of the characters go through a personal journey in the film; to get home, to become brave, to get a heart. The plot is as delightful as the characters and the setting, with a dash of humour added in; a must see for young and old, even my quite sensitive 6yr old daughter can handle the scarier bits. The replay value is immeasurable, I have seen the movie so many times and will watch it many times more. The music is enchanting too!
Overall I think this movie is a must see.
I would rate it 9/10
Quite simply a classic.......2007-07-27
This is one of the all time best films. I can't wait for my babies to be big enough to watch this as I am sure they will get as much fun out of it as I did when I was little.
Why write this comment? To remind people that just because it is an old film does not mean that it is not suitable for children of today. Buy it for them and you and you will remember why you loved it so much!
Simply amazing.
Why is it listed as "Disney's"?.......2007-05-02
Why is it listed as "Disney's"? Never mind that. The question you will more likely ask, when you can tear yourself away from this internet terminal, is "why do I need to see this yet again, on DVD, when it's so often played on TV?" The answer is, because you will be making a special appointment to see a very special film, something that's almost become a part of our collective memory. Another answer is because this DVD presentation looks and sounds terrific, and yet another answer is the extras included, which build on your already personal relationship with the movie. Many thanks to all involved for putting it together, I seem to remember that you were there. And you, and you...
A Review for PINK FLOYD fans only.......2007-02-13
This is the version you require to try your own sync to the DARK SIDE OF THE MOON. The sync is unbelievable. The lyrics are uncanny. The music is awesome. The Great Gig In The Sky / Money, well they might have been original videos. The first playback of DSotM has to be seen to be believed. You can buy pre-synced versions elsewhere on the net but the picture quality is poor, and of course you don't get the original soundtrack. Check out all the sync pages on the web when searching "wizard of oz dark side of the moon" on a search engine.
Enough of Floyd. This is a classic film with some excellent moments. The picture and sound are fantastically remastered. If you have never seen it before then you must have been living on the dark side of the moon.
A lovely family film and must for Floyd fans. Honest, the sync works. The only question left, Is it a fluke ??
Thanx for reading this review.
Bounty of color and whimsy, with underlying meaning.......2005-10-27
This movie is so well-known and so much-reviewed, that I will say little in the standard way of a review: "The Wizard of Oz" is a colorful, musical, enchanting fairy tale that was done as well as any movie ever was. It overflows with color and whimsy, the bad guys are abhorrent (as they should be), and you want the good guys (and girls) to move into your neighborhood. Everyday pieces of reality are enhanced and patched together into a fantasy land that looks part abstract and part American primitive art. This is one of the few movies that can be watched yearly (or more often) without viewers getting tired of it.
On to my more non-standard point: after watching this movie many times as I grew up, I realized one day that one way to view it is as an existential expedition in search of the self. Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow all go to see the wizard in search of that which is most dear to them (home and belonging, a heart, courage, and intelligence (a brain), respectively). In the end, they realize that, through their journey and through coping with adversity, they have discovered, or created within themselves, that which they sought outside of themselves. The lesson: do not look too far for what you seek, for the answer probably lies within and not without.
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