Wizard of Oz
“The Wizard of Oz” is one of the best well-known fantasies of all time. 64 years ago Victor Fleming made two films “Gone With
The Wind” and “The Wizard of Oz” with the later being the more special one. At a time when
color films were rare and expensive to make, “The Wizard of Oz” opens as a film that use
color for a perfect purpose. The color doesn’t just add to the film, it literally enhances the film from a storytelling purpose.
As everyone should know, the story of “The Wizard of Oz” is about Dorothy played perfectly by Judy Garland who one day runs away from her family in Kansas only to be swept away on a tornado upon her return. Once swept away, Dorothy lands upon a magical land called “Oz” were she must seek out the help of a powerful
Wizard to help ensure her safe return to Kansas. Along the way she meets a scarecrow, who doesn’t have a brain (Ray Bolger), a heartless
tin man (Jake Haley) and a cowardly lion (Bert Lahr) who accompany Dorothy on her way to meet the all powerful Wizard of “Oz”. To safely earn the return to “OZ” Dorothy, the scarecrow,
tin man and the lion must defeat the wicked witch of the West in order to return.
For the first hour of the film, “Oz” is mainly a musical setting up the story for the exciting conclusion of the final 30 minutes. The acting in the film is perfect with Judy Garland who was recognized by an special achievement award for best actress by a juvenile during the 1939 Academy Awards. Garland is perfectly cast as Dorothy as she has the perfect look and range as an actress for the part. Garland is also surrounded by a great supporting cast who play off of one another perfectly up until the frightening confrontation with the wicked witch of the West played by Margaret Hamilton who forever will be remember as the most frightening witch in film. The performance is so great that recently the American Film Institute recognized The Wicked With of the West as #4 on the 100 greatest heroes and villain’s list.
Technically, “The Wizard of Oz” is a great achievement. There is a sense of awe when Fleming turns the black and white image (actually brown and white) image into
color when Dorothy opens the door of her house and is now in Kansas. The most interesting thing I found about this technique is that in seems to not date older times in that they are not just known as black and white. Sometimes I fail to realize that at the time, the sets, events and picture are actually in
color as “The Wizard Of Oz” really brings to life what the sets and costumes where like in 1939. Another technical achievement is the liberal use of sound effects that enhance the tin man as well as explosions of forest settings. The tornado sequence also relied heavily on sounds to enhance the experience.
The special visual effects are incredible for the time the film was made. If “The Wizard of Oz” was filmed today there would be extensive use of computer generated imagery while in 1939 the visual effects were much harder to come by. Emerald city is a great visual that is created by sets and paintings, there are numerous times where we get a glimpse of a magical crystal ball and every time Glinda, the Great Witch of the North arrives I keep pondering how it is done.
The conclusion of “The Wizard of Oz” leaves open an interesting question that is up to the view to interpret. Was Dorothy taken away on a magical journey to “Oz” or was she in fact only just dreaming when she awakes near the end. For anyone who watches or has watched “The Wizard of Oz” it is up to them to decide for themselves what really happened along this exciting journey involving wizards, witches, munchkins, tin men, scarecrow, lions and most importantly the importance of your own family and where you belong.
