A classic with a wonderful blend of artistic and musical style, it's an early century piece of cinema that can be revisited and appreciated on it's depth, it's heart, and quality - acted, directed, and staged. There are two styles to the movie, a...
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A classic with a wonderful blend of artistic and musical style, it's an early century piece of cinema that can be revisited and appreciated on it's depth, it's heart, and quality - acted, directed, and staged. There are two styles to the movie, a beginning arch filled in a rusty black and white, where the young girl, Dorothy is introduced with her companion dog, along with the uncle and aunt who are raising her on their farm, and three farmhands on provide both labor and a bit of character. Soon after, the plight of a young girl trying to save her dog from the cruel intentions of the community shrew who wants the pet destroyed begins what will become a flee from her home with her pet as the young girl is eventually swept away into the colorful spectacle and often bizarre land of Oz. It is a place so exotic with odd and fascinating natives that it must be over the rainbow, yet so familiar that people from her own place seemingly populate some of the stops along the way. A fairy tale one could dream of in a lullaby, as well in nightmares. It's on this journey to find a way home the young girl makes new friends, a powerful enemy, and gains insight to herself and her place in the world even as she does the same for her companions.

The Wizard of Oz appeals to the child in all of us, no matter our age nor the age of the film. But for an adult seeing it for the 1st time, it may not have as much emotional impact as it would if seen as a child. There are no digital effects to create a distant and strange land, just well crafted stage pieces and backdrops. Much of the characters emotional states or current circumstances are expressed in song and dance, but it is not opera, more musical in parts. The film was rated G, so even the scenes of confrontation between characters are mild enough for most parents to allow pre-teens to view, especially by today's standards.

I remember crying at the end the first time I saw "The Wizard Of Oz" as a child. "There's no place like home" is the theme, and it's also a study in courage. It's touching to see the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion risk...
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I remember crying at the end the first time I saw "The Wizard Of Oz" as a child. "There's no place like home" is the theme, and it's also a study in courage. It's touching to see the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion risk their lives for a simple little girl they hardly know. In any other year (1939) it would have been a formidable contender at the Oscars, but that was also the year of "Gone With The Wind". As another reviewer suggested, it does somewhat resemble "The Sound Of Music", which came a generation later. To anyone who bashes this movie, I have this to say: "Put 'em up, put 'em up!"

I remember crying at the end the first time I saw "The Wizard Of Oz" as a child. "There's no place like home" is the theme, and it's also a study in courage. It's touching to see the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion risk...
[+] Read Full Review

I remember crying at the end the first time I saw "The Wizard Of Oz" as a child. "There's no place like home" is the theme, and it's also a study in courage. It's touching to see the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion risk their lives for a simple little girl they hardly know. In any other year (1939) it would have been a formidable contender at the Oscars, but that was also the year of "Gone With The Wind". As another reviewer suggested, it does somewhat resemble "The Sound Of Music", which came a generation later. To anyone who bashes this movie, I have this to say: "Put 'em up, put 'em up!"

Amazing.