Wizard of Oz [Blu-ray 3D]

This 1939 movie is a true classic and a must see movie for all ages. It also has special features with the film's Cast and Crew.

Love this movie. Best picture of all time! Thank you so much!

Good Movie

It is a classic film that's been popular for a very long time so that has got to tell you something. The 4K edition looks and sounds greater than I imagined it could, even the flying monkeys were a bit scarier, but maybe that's just me. Still, am very glad I made the purchase.

Great new dvd , of a very classic movie. Good price and fast delivery.

I saw movie usually at christmas time when i was a kid,great reproduction well done

With MGM's"The Wizard Of Oz" now so firmly established as a "cherished classic" and an essential aspect of the American pop-culture fabric, it is easy-- perhaps too easy-- to forget what a great film it is, and just how cinematically groundbreaking it was in 1939. The behind the scenes trials and tribulations of "Oz" are well known by now. "Oz" was an arduous shoot, enduring ten screenwriters (final credit went to Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf) and four directors. Richard Thorpe was fired. George Cukor, busy with pre-production on "Gone With The Wind", wasn't interested, but he did offer important production suggestions and advice. Victor Fleming directed most of "Oz" until Clark Gable threw a hissy-fit and demanded that Fleming replace Cukor on "GWTW." So King Vidor finished the final scenes of "Oz". Fleming, meanwhile, directed "GWTW" by day and supervised editing of "Oz" at night. With a recent gift of a new HD TV and Blu-Ray player, I couldn't wait to see how this Hollywood gem would look and sound on Blu-Ray. L. Frank Baum spends about two and a half pages of his original book "The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz" describing what a flat, dull, grey, lifeless environment Kansas is. Then, the cyclone blows Dorothy and Toto off to Oz. The screenplay spends the first 20 minutes in Kansas, and it's a much more horrible environment than Baum described. In effect, the screenplay gives Judy Garland's Dorothy every good reason to escape Kansas; and I don't think a very good reason to return to it. This Kansas environment is beyond oppressive. It is toxic. Dorothy must content with adults who don't have any time for her; for her feelings or concerns. More than overworked, Auntie Em (Clara Blandick) seems downright mean. Mean doesn't even begin to describe Miss Gulch (Margaret Hamilton), who is on her way to take beloved dog Toto away and have him "destroyed." When Judy Garland sings "Over The Rainbow", it is not merely Dorothy's poignant wish expressed against the backdrop of a dull barnyard. It is a cry from the soul, not just Dorothy's soul, but a universal cry from the soul; from anyone who ever wished for a better life; for a way OUT of a hell on earth environment. Judy Garland is right on the emotional mark; the lyric line "where troubles melt like lemon drops" perhaps foreshadowing Dorothy's battle with The Wicked Witch Of The West in Oz. After Toto escapes Miss Gulch's bicycle basket, Dorothy grabs her beloved dog baby and, understandably runs away; meeting Professor Marvel (Frank Morgan) alongside a dusty roadway. Marvel knows what's up when he says to Dorothy, "They don't understand you at home, they don't appreciate you. You want to see other lands, big cities, big mountains, big oceans." Dorothy, clearly relieved, replies, "Why, it's just like you could read what was inside of me." The Cyclone finally blows Dorothy and Toto out of Kansas hell, the real adventure begins, and the movie explodes into beautiful Technicolor and Blu-Ray brilliance. On Blu-Ray, everything in Oz, from Dorothy's simple blue gingham dress to the famous Ruby Slippers. is dazzling. Judy Garland looks beautiful, perhaps because, in Oz, Dorothy is finally entering into her full glory. If Kansas is hell, then Oz is definitely heaven (well, except for the Wicked Witch, of course). Glorious is the only word to describe Harold Rossen's Technicolor photography, Edwin B. Willis' set decorations, and Adrian's costumes, seen and appreciated on Blu-Ray in maximum splendor, perhaps for the first time since 1939. The scenes in the Scarecrow's cornfield and Poppy Field are particularly vivid and eye popping on Blu-Ray. The movie, of course, is not about Classic Movie magic; or technical artistry and special effects. The fantasy would not matter without the excellent story and cast. The impeccable cast makes everything work. As the original "Boys From Oz", Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, and Bert Lahr delight as the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion. Lahr is especially outstanding. Judy Garland is the emotional center, the heart and soul of the movie. Bert Lahr provides the brightest, pure comedy moments. And Margaret Hamilton takes the movie to amazing psychological levels. If Miss Gulch was a nasty, annoying battle-axe on a bike, then her Oz incarnation, the Wicked Witch of The West, IS THE Wicked Witch who has haunted countless nightmares for 75 years now. More than frightening and beyond vengeful, Hamilton's Witch is the stuff of pure evil. To her credit, Hamilton, a sweet woman and talented character actress who loved both children and dogs dearly, plays her roles perfectly. Hamilton is a wicked and wild hoot. If the movie has a flaw, it is the sentimental insistence that "there's no place like home"; saying that "home" is the best place for Dorothy and, by extension, everybody in the audience. The "Oz is all a dream" ending is the most serious violation; attempting (unsuccessfully, Thank God) to invalidate and negate the entire "self-discovery to eventual self-actualization" experience of Oz for Dorothy and the audience. Once again, Judy Garland saves everything. Her intense conviction on the line, "No, Aunt Em, this was a real, truly live place" carries more weight than "there's no place like home." The MGM ending is a lie. Judy Garland, as always, knows and reveals the the real, emotional and honest truth. Most of the Special Features from previous DVD editions of "Oz" are on the Blu-Ray. But hang on to your Oz DVDs, especially if you have the big green Oz 3 DVD Collection Box that was issued several years ago. On the Blu-Ray, a new making of documentary completely replaces the 1990 "50 Years Of Magic" documentary hosted by Angela Lansbury. I can understand wanting a new documentary for the 75th Anniversary. It's all fascinating stuff, and Martin Sheen's narration is especially enthusiastic, but I miss the 50th Anniversary documentary with Lansbury. "Memories Of Oz", "The Wonderful Things It Does" and the DVD entirely devoted to L. Frank Baum, are also NOT INCLUDED on this particular Blu-Ray release; resulting in my rating of 4 Stars instead of a full 5. Fortunately, "Oz" can be enjoyed on multiple levels. Never warming up to "there's no place like home", I received an alternative message from "Oz." I learned that leaving home and having adventures was good and necessary for personal growth and self-actualization. And if you have adventures with good friends and a beloved dog, life was a perfect Technicolor rainbow experience after all.

This review is for the single Blu Ray disc of the 1939 version of the Wizard of Oz. I assume you have either seen the movie, or are familiar with the storyline so I won't delve into that here. There are other filmings, and other versions, but to most all people THIS is the definitive version of the L Frank Baum classic. As one who has had and watched this classic through the years on many different home video technologies I can honestly say I have never seen this movie look better, even in the theater! Not just a restoration, but a revelation of detail and texture are revealed in this wonderful classic. Almost everywhere you look you find textures, details and images that literally bring the story to life. Additionally the audio is crisp and clear and thankfully is free from crazy gimmickry. This is movie restoration done correctly and with respect to the original film, which has become a classic in American family life. The single disc version has the movie we almost all know and most of us love. Judy Garland has never looked more clear, nor the costumes of her compatriots more detailed. Its almost as if this movie were not made some 75 years ago, it looks THAT good. My youngest son, who usually does not watch "Old movies" with me was completely captivated and did not move until the movie was done. He was shocked when I told him when the movie was made. The old effects, particularly the tornado still look great and really show how movie making can be a wonderful art form. The commentary track is really a wonderful source of some interesting information, including the original choice of Buddy Ebsen, from the Beverly Hillbillies, as the tin man. I have quite a few movies in my collection and seldom watch and listen to the commentary, but I have to say I really enjoyed this one. It even had interviews with original cast members interspersed throughout in a manner tha added to one's understanding of the movie. Far from giving us a glimpse behind the curtain which destroys the magic this only burnishes the incredible work that make such a movie. Highly recommended. This is truly an incredible bargain at the current price of 8 dollars, that I cannot recommend it more highly for those who wish to have the definitive version of this classic. If one wishes there are lots of add on versions that have more content, but for this paltry sum you get the definitive version of the movie and a very informative commentary. You will enjoy it, so will your kids, and likely THEIR children. It is pure pleasure to watch how faces light up when watching this movie, and perhaps that is the best recommendation of all. God Bless ya and may you enjoy many movies!