The Wizard Of Oz [1939]

See Larger Image	List Price: £18.99 Our Price: £3.98 Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours Manufacturer: Warner Home Video Starring: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley Directed By: King Vidor, Mervyn LeRoy, Richard Thorpe, Victor Fleming Average Customer Rating:


Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Audience Rating: Universal, suitable for all Binding: DVD EAN: 7321900651233 Format: Black & White Label: Warner Home Video Manufacturer: Warner Home Video Number Of Discs: 1 Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: Warner Home Video Region Code: 2 Release Date: 2006-06-19 Running Time: 98 Studio: Warner Home Video Theatrical Release Date: 1939-08-25
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Editorial Reviews: 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
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: The Wizard of Oz: A Review Comment: Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R25B4ZOL1714W9 Customer Rating: Summary: ''Are you a Good Witch or a Bad Witch'' Comment: The Wizard Of Oz [1939] I first saw this film with my Grandad on his television when i was a little boy and i still love it (who couldn't love this film). Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Larh, Billie Burke and Margaret Hamilton all perfectly cast. This film is as lovely today as when it was first made and i think this particular DVD release is a wonderful transfere to Disc, such lovely warm sepia and deep colours, it looks like a modern film, beautifully restored. (i wonder what the seven cast members would think of the film they made , not only restored but still loved by so many after all these years). Judy Garland is perfect as Dorothy and Jack Haley comes across so well as the Tin Man longing for a heart ''If I Only Had A Heart'' (Peep Peep)!. No review on 'The Wizard Of Oz' would be complete without a mention of my favourite charecter, The Wicked Witch Of The West played more than perfectly by Margaret Hamilton. She has frightened children for generations in the same way as Robert Helpmann did as the Child Catcher in 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'. Though Margaret Hamilton is one of the film's main cast members, her appearance apparently on the film is about 15 minutes. Everything is so lovely about this film, the songs and all those wonderful sets, just think the special effects they had in those days, (I think for the time the special effects are superb). This DVD is a must for all friends of Dorothy, or you can't decide if your 'a Good Witch or a Bad Witch'. A good companion to this DVD is the release of the full screen version of 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang', like this 'Wizard of Oz' DVD, 'Chitty Chitty' is an equally wonderful transfere to Disc, with lovely deep colours, beautifully restored and looking like a modern film. Customer Rating: Summary: Magical movie! Comment: 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 Customer Rating: Summary: Quite simply a classic Comment: 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. Customer Rating: Summary: Why is it listed as "Disney's"? Comment: 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... More Reviews