Wizard of Oz Review

3 weeks ago 03rd Nov 10:02

Cast: Judy Garland, Jack Haley, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr
Dir: Victor Fleming, King Vidor
Rating: 4/5

The Wizard of Oz has charmed and thrilled audiences for seven decades with its timeless music and truly heart-warming story. And now, seventy years after it was first released, comes the sing along version that will allow you to enjoy the characters and the music time after time.

When Dorothy's neighbour, Miss Gulch, threatens to take away Dorothy's precious dog, Toto, Dorothy runs away from home. Attempting to return, she and her house are caught in a twister and blown to the garish, colour-saturated Land of Oz.

The house lands atop Oz's Wicked Witch of the East, killing her and making Dorothy an instant celebrity. The Wicked Witch of the West, the sister of the deceased witch, soon arrives and threatens revenge.

Dorothy must escape from Oz by following the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City, where the great Wizard of Oz can help her return to Kansas.

Along the way, Dorothy picks up some new friends--the heartless Tin Man, the brainless Scarecrow, and the courage-less Cowardly Lion, each of whom hopes that the Wizard can offer him what he lacks.

The long journey to see the Wizard is filled with dangers and traps planted by the Wicked Witch of the West--as well as lots of phenomenal musical numbers.

The Wizard of Oz is just as charming and heart warming a movie now as it was seventy years ago as well as remaining a movie that is enjoyed by generation after generation.

While it is a children's movie the film tackles some great issues such as abandonment and powerlessness as well as highlighting the importance of friendships to get us through the tough times.

It's the role shot Judy Garland to stardom and it's the role for which is most remembered, and fondly remembered at that.

But at the heart of the movie is family and the safety and comfort that Dorothy would get being back amongst the people that she loves.

The Wizard of Oz is a movie that doesn't diminish over time and it remains one of the best children's movie of all time.

The Wizard of Oz is out now on DVD.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw