Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14828 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-10-02
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Black & White, Colour, Full Screen, PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Arabic, Bulgarian, Dutch, English, French, Italian, Romanian
• Dubbed in: French, Italian
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 98 minutes

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

Special Features
- New commentary by noted author and Oz historian John Fricke - Three new revealing documentaries: - The Wonderful World of Oz Storybook - The Art of Imagination: A Tribute to Oz - Because of the Wonderful Things it Does: The Legacy of Oz - The Wonderful World of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic 1990 TV special - Memories of Oz TCM documentary - Restoring a Legend featurette - 1950 Lux Radio Theater Broadcast - Cast featurettes - Audio jukebox featuring all the original musical pre-recordings - Oz composer Harold Arlen’s rare vintage home movies - Rare Musical Outtakes, and a gallery of rare archival materials including story boards, behind-the-scenes photos, as well as costume and makeup tests - Trailer Gallery

Synopsis
Follow wide-eyed Dorothy (Judy Garland)and her ragtag friends Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion as they head down the Yellow Brick Road in search of Emerald City and the all-powerful Wizard of Oz. Shot partly in black and white, partly in Technicolor, THE WIZARD OF OZ is a perfect juxtaposition of reality and fantasy.

Customer Reviews

The Merry Old Land Of Oz
The Wizard Of Oz (1939) is now well over sixty years old, yet the classic film still stands extraordinarily well, reaching generation after generation (and has also become a firm T.V favourite at Christmas).

Its transistion to the DVD format is thoroughly impeccable making the whole land of Oz look even more enduringly beautiful, colourful and extravagant, even for its film age.

Theres no doubt that the sole ingredients of this timeless classic was from the all-round excellent playing from the cast, the spectacular, eye-catching sets such as the dazzling Emerald City at the end of the yellow brick road to the wonderful dancing and fun, jolly, infectious songs. That yearning vulnreability that exists in us all somewhere is what the film so heavily and heartwarmingly draws upon.

Judy Garland is totally adorable as the wide-eyed innocence of little Dorothy Gale, who is transported over the rainbow by a tornado into the magical world of Oz. The sequences of the tornado sweeping up the house into the air are still vastly impressive and its transistion from black and white during the Kanas sequences to colour when Dorothy lands in Oz are highly effective.

All performances in the film are utterly fantastic! Billie Burke shines as Glinda - The Good Witch Of The North whilst Margaret Hamilton is incredibly effective and devilishly evil as the Wicked Witch Of The West (who used to scare me to death as a youngster).

Ray Bolger takes on the role as the scarecrow, Jack Hayley as the Tinman and Bert Lahr puts in a marvelous interpretation of the Cowardly Lion. What can I say about these actors that hasn't already been said a thousand times. They all glow in their parts and capture the imagination. Frank Morgan displays the most versatility by turning up in anumber of guises, most notably in the role of the imposter, Wizard Of Oz.

What The Wizard Of Oz has to offer is basically a little something for everyone - from wonderfully strange lands, many fun and scary moments, a positivley dazzling and delightful array of fairy tale characters and some fabulous numbers.

Whilst Dorothy begins her adventures along the yellow brick road, the film holds many fun, light-hearted moments though the mood considerably darkens when Dorothy is captured by the winged monkeys and is taken to the Wicked Witch of the Wests eerie looking castle where she is held prisoner. Even at 24 years old now, I still can't help feeling that slight sense of anxiousness when Dorothy cries out for Aunt Em when she is locked away to her exciting escape.

This DVD edition hosts a wealth of fascinating features that will enthrall any fan of this film. A series of out takes are included such as the wonderful Jitterbug sequence and an interesting documentary on the making of the movie, hosted by Angela Lansbury.

The documentary details the films origanal ethos and it now seems unthinkable for The Wizard Of Oz to be any different but infact, MGM had its eye on Shirley Temple playing Dorothy. You really can't imagine anyone but Judy Garland play that role as she plays its so perfectly. Its interesting to also hear anecdotes and shared memories from the rest of the cast and this special is generally a celebration of the ever-lasting Oz phenomenon.

Beautifully done, The Wizard Of Oz has proved to be THE quintesential Hollywood production and possible remains the best childrens movie ever made! Songs like Somewhere Over The Rainbow, sung so touchingly by Judy Garland made such an impact on a world sliding into the war at the close of the 1930's.

Great film, great clean up, great extras!
This is one of those amazing films that doesn't fail to enchant through to adulthood. I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting Dorothy's journey through Oz, being scared by the Wicked Witch of the West and being charmed by Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion. This is definitely one for adults and children alike. The musical numbers are also just as entertaining this time around. They have done a fantastic job cleaning up the picture, the quality is topnotch, the transition from black and white to colour is even more startling. There is a second disc with some fab extras, including deleted scenes, the story of other actors who were almost cast and several behind the scenes documentaries, including interviews with the Munchkins! A great classic to add to your DVD collection.

Could I not give it more stars????????
"I'll get you my pretty, and you're little dog too!" Who in the history of the entire world doesn't know that line?

One of my all time favourite films I watch it every year at least once, usually at Christmas.
Judy Garland is perfect for the winsome little girl from Kansas Dorothy, with her little dog Toto. How could M-G-M have even considered anybody else in the part?
Ray Bolger is bandy-legged and loyal as the Scarecrow without a brain, Jack Haley is so loving and caring as Tin Man, and Bert Lahr is fantastic + memorable as the Cowardly Lion.

It is film chemistry at it's greatest, and there are over a billion people world wide that have seen the Wizard of Oz. So Follow the Yellow brick road to your copy of the Wizard of Oz!!!