Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6944 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-06-19
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Black & White, Colour, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 98 minutes

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

Special Features
English
Region 2

Synopsis
Young Dorothy is bored of her gray life on a Kansas farm. When her house is whisked away by a tornado, it lands somewhere over the rainbow in a Technicolor world, and Dorothy knows she's not in Kansas anymore. This beloved, incomparable classic based on L. Frank Baum's turn-of-the-century novel is a musical and visual candy store. Dorothy's journey to find a way back to Kansas has permeated American culture and film for decades and remains one of the best musicals and children's stories ever filmed.

Customer Reviews

Classic picture gets classy DVD treatment.
Finally The Wizard Of Oz gets a region 2 release on DVD.I've had the region 1 release for over a year,and i trust that the good people who decide these things have included the "marveloz array of special features" that are contained on the one single disc,yet there are more interesting and informative extras than most 2-disc sets now filling the local dvd stores shelves.
Everyone knows the story, everyone will have seen Dorothy,Scarecrow,Tinman,Cowardly lion and Toto follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City.This movie is a must show at Christmas for the T.V schedulers,and now it really is a must have DVD for the rest of us.
So what do you get? Aside that is from a quality restoration with sound and picture unsurpassed,you even get 5.1 sound.Well a documentary on the making,which includes interviews with cast and crew and isn't your usual DVD promo but a proper, informative and thought provoking look at the land of Oz.Also 5 trailers- teaser,re-issue included,out-takes, deleted scenes,and an absolute plethora of behind the scenes which include home movies on the set,special effects,costume and make up tests,footage from the Academy Awards of 1939,excerpts from the original book series and interviews dating back to 1979 with key cast members.
So,this is a well crafted and put together disc that you can enjoy over and over again.A classier film you will rarely find.Go get a copy and enjoy.

One billion people can't be wrong!
Yes, that's the estimated number of people who have now enjoyed this classic.
Initially attracted by the colourful and slightly surreal nature of the Oz section, one will find that the film's triumph is in the sepia open and close sections.
Garland leaning on the plough singing 'Over the rainbow'is one of the all time classic movie images. Such pathos from a sixteen year old is truly staggering, and only a tin man could fail to be moved by this and the film's sentimental finale.
There are a few good quips which should appeal to the adults, and of course everybody from 5 to 105 will know most of the songs.

Arguably the greatest film ever...
The Wizard of Oz may be aurguably the greatest film of all time. A huge statement to make but one that I feel this motion picture deserves.

This new DVD region 2 release is possibly the best put together package that I have seen. The extra features are just that, FEATURES! A documentary on the making of the film, pictures of the cast, home movie footage of the actual sets and characters, the list is seemingly endless.

When you do sit down to watch "The main feature", again you will not be dissapointed. The film loses nothing of it's original charm and magic. Strong story, strong characters and fantastic cinematography throughout the movie. The soundtrack is now even more spectacular, having been given the 5.1 treatment. You must buy this film and put it to the top of your want list immediately!