- Actors: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley
- Directors: George Cukor, King Vidor, Mervyn LeRoy, Norman Taurog, Victor Fleming
- Writers: Bert Lahr, Arthur Freed, E.Y. Harburg
- Format: PAL
- Language English
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3 - 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: U
- Studio: Warner Home Video
- DVD Release Date: 19 Jun 2006
- Run Time: 101 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (140 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00005NMWB
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
2,508 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
- #3 in Film & TV > Musicals & Classical > Musicals & Stage Performances > Childrens
- #20 in Film & TV > Classics > Children's
- #21 in Film & TV > Classics > Musicals
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Reviews
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
Region 2
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
69 of 71 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
With three discs in this boxed set this is the definitive edition of the Wizard of Oz to buy. The first disc contains the original film and interviews. The second disc contains a number of documentaries on the making of the film. The third disc contains four older film versions as well as a documentary. Most of the documentaries were made in 1990, no doubt to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the films making.
Even now nearly seventy years later, this is the of the best films you can buy for your children. As an adult its still superb entertainment and contains one of the greatest songs ever written (Over the Rainbow). The film is from the golden age of Hollywood, lavish sets, great special effects (for the era) and marvellous performances from the main actors and actresses.
This has literally hours and hours of extras as well as the original 98min film. At its current price this is one of the best value DVD boxed sets you can buy. This is timeless entertainment that all the family (except perhaps a few grumpy teenagers!) will enjoy.
Even now nearly seventy years later, this is the of the best films you can buy for your children. As an adult its still superb entertainment and contains one of the greatest songs ever written (Over the Rainbow). The film is from the golden age of Hollywood, lavish sets, great special effects (for the era) and marvellous performances from the main actors and actresses.
This has literally hours and hours of extras as well as the original 98min film. At its current price this is one of the best value DVD boxed sets you can buy. This is timeless entertainment that all the family (except perhaps a few grumpy teenagers!) will enjoy.
51 of 53 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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.
85 of 89 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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.
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A CLASSIC FANTASY!
WHO CAN'T LIKE THE WIZ OF OZ I MEAN THE CHARACTERS ARE ALIVE THAN EVER ON DVD THE SCARECROW,THE LION , THE TIN MAN,TOTO,THE WITCH,GLINDA,THE MUNCHKINS AND THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL... Read more
Published 14 days ago by Mr big boy
Brilliant
This timeless classic has been digitally remastered to perfection. Visually it looks like a brand new film. Grandchildren are enjoying it as much as I did at their age.
Published 14 days ago by Anne"s Eldest.
brilliant classic
What more is left to be said about this film. It was way beyond it's years and very well made for it's time. A film to be enjoyed by all the family together. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Caz
Very Entertaining
I bought this DVD as my children were dressing up as characters from the film and i wanted them to watch it first. Read more
Published 2 months ago by sam1
Classic Film
I bought this for my daughter (age 8) as she is doing a dance production and I wanted her to see the original film. Read more
Published 3 months ago by T. MacSkimming
delighted
This was a great present for my daughter who hasnt seen this for a while as we no longer have a video player. Read more
Published 5 months ago by G. Sloan
The Wizard of Oz
I knew what to expect when I ordered this DVD! I wanted to buy it for my grand daughter so that she could enjoy it, as much as I have over the years. Read more
Published 5 months ago by B. Rosser
Wizard of Oz
I ordered this dvd for my 3 year old grandaughter for christmas as she loves it. Her face when she opened her present and saw it was this dvd was wonderful. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Trish
Children's DVD
My granddaughter loves watching her dvd's when she comes to visit.Her favourite at present is The Wizard Of Oz and she sits and sings along to the music.
Published 5 months ago by Grandma Mac
Its Xmas,buy it!
Product arrived on time in good knick, and well priced.The transfer to DVD is o.k. and the whole package was good. Read more
Published 5 months ago by I. Baxter
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