Victor Fleming/USA/1939; R4 (2-disc SE)
Warner Bros, NZ$29.95 | Reviewed by John Spry

The Wizard of Oz has once again been released on DVD by Warner Bros. Home Video – this time around with all the hallmarks of a premium release, and is for the most part worth the price of purchase. In terms of special features, this new reissue has it all and then some.

As more titles are made available on DVD, the advent of new features on updated releases becomes an invitation to purchase or in some cases re-purchase a particular title. What isn’t uncommon is to find a film released initially on DVD as a standalone, only for months later to discover a ‘special’ or ‘collectors’ edition in the pipeline. Considering the Warner Bros. catalogue, examples include One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest (1975) and Amadeus (1984); recent re-releases for Dog Day Afternoon (1975) and All the Presidents Men (1976); and no doubt more to follow.

This latest reissue of Oz brings to mind the often-quoted Marshall McLuhan and his statement: “The medium becomes the message.” From only a superficial glance at the packaging, McLuhan’s idiom is made whole: pressing on an indicated spot on the cover, an electronic playback of “We’re off to see the Wizard!” is triggered. Appropriately, this DVD edition acts as metaphor for the film itself – a trip through its special features is like exposing the mystery of the Wizard himself.

Victor Fleming’s iconic film concerns Dorothy, a young girl living on a small farm in Kansas, 1939, who during a tornado is swept magically (along with her dog, Toto) from her home to the Land of Oz. Once in Oz, she encounters many strange people and situations. Dorothy befriends a Lion with no courage, a Tin Man with no heart, and a Scarecrow with no brain. The four friends are urged to follow the yellow brick road to Oz to meet the wizard that rules there. Upon meeting the Wizard, they realise that he rules through trickery; after an adventure involving the Wicked Witch of the West, they understand that all the things they want they already have. Famously, Dorothy is told that all she needs to do is click the soles together and repeat the mantra: “There’s no place like home.” She returns to Kansas, recognising her friends and family as the people she has encountered on her journey through Oz.

The newly restored picture presented on this DVD is nothing short of spectacular, and is a wonder to witness in all its Technicolor glory. If you’ve only viewed Oz on television or video, then this is a must rent/watch. Those with a modern television screen it will delight in ways many of today’s films cannot. I viewed the film on a massive 50” screen and was astounded by the color and sharpness displayed, seeing Oz much like viewers would’ve in the thirties and forties in well-maintained theaters.


THE special features on this DVD are overwhelming and a treasure trove waiting to be uncovered and explored. Some of the highlights include:

Disc One

An audio commentary by John Fricke with Barbara Freed-Saltzman, Margaret Hamilton, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, John Lahr, Jane Lahr, Hamilton Meserve, Dona Massin, William Tuttle, Buddy Ebsen, Mervyn LeRoy, and Jerry Maren. Oz historian and author Fricke is the main contributor in this packed commentary track: an informative and interesting, if not a little staid and monotone listen, but nonetheless one that will please fans of the film. There is a disparity in the quality of the audio as the commentary has uplifted archival audio, with many of the participants having passed away.

PRETTIER THAN EVER: THE RESTORATION OF OZ (11.27)
As with most DVD restorations, we’re treated to footage of the film being cleaned for theatrical and home video release. For any cineaste this is a must, and compares well to other features such as Hitchcocks’ Vertigo from a few years back.

Disc Two

THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ: THE MAKING OF A MOVIE CLASSIC (50.54)
A documentary from the early 90s that was made to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. This is hosted by Angela Lansbury, and rarely for a feature such this, contains contributions from many of the cast and crew. Almost any topic is covered from the film and many anecdotes are relayed from the cast.

MEMORIES OF OZ (27.38)
This smaller documentary features interviews with some of the munchkins and one of the last interviews given by Buddy Edsen before his death.

THE ART OF IMAGINATION: A TRIBUTE TO OZ (29.46)
This is a recent production and in line with many Warner titles, presents interviews with filmmakers including Peter Jackson about the technical achievement in production of the film itself. This brings to attention what many creative people today think of the film made over sixty years ago.

BECAUSE OF THE WONDERFUL THINGS IT DOES: THE LEGACY OF OZ (25.05)
This featurette looks at how the film has influenced many people, and its role in the creation of commoditization. It also addresses the headstrong character of Dorothy in terms of women’s issues.

HAROLD ARLEN’S HOME MOVIES (4.39)
Introduced by Angela Lansbury, we’re presented with rare and candid footage shot behind the scenes on 16mm by film buff and Wizard of Oz composer Harold Arlen. Priceless stuff.

OUTTAKES AND DELETED SCENES (14.20)
Five deleted/extended/alternate sequences from the film, each with introduction by Angela Lansbury: If I Only Had A Brain (4:28), If I Only Had A Heart (1:24), Triumphant Return To Emerald City (2:02), Over The Rainbow (1:56), The Jitterbug (3:40).

IT’S A TWISTER! IT’S A TWISTER! THE TORNADO TESTS (8.17)
Raw special effects footage with narration.

OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD (3.57)
An interesting featurette containing a few teaser cartoons featuring Wizard of Oz characters in 1967.

AUDIO VAULT (421.03)
DVD special features at their best, with over six hours of audio-only material.

Jukebox (287.08) – This is a comprehensive collection of music from the making of The Wizard of Oz, including such samples as test recordings, underscoring and any other audio you may think of.

Leo Is On The Air (12.13) – MGM promoting the film through a number of musical numbers directly from the film.

Good News of 1939 Radio Show (60.56) – A radio broadcast concentrating on the film, as well as featuring sketch comedy, recreations of the casting process, musical numbers and more.

12/25/1950 Lux Radio Theatre Broadcast (60.46) – An audio retelling of the story featuring Judy Garland as Dorothy.

STILLS GALLERIES (60.16)
A collection of pictures, portraits, promotional material, signs, posters, and other similar media:

Oz on Broadway (2.16), Pre-MGM (2.16), Sketches and Storyboards (1.52), Costume and Makeup Tests (7.04), Richard Thorpe’s Oz (4.16), Buddy Ebsen (1.04), Oz Comes to Life (12.08), Behind the Scenes (0.56), Portraits (9.44), Special Effects (3.44), Post Production (1.20), Deleted Scenes (2.24), Original Publicity (4.16), 8/15/1939 Hollywood Premiere (1.28), 8/17/1939 New York Premiere (1.52), 2/29/1940 Academy Awards Ceremony (1.12), Oz Abroad (1.28), Oz Revivals (0.56)

THEATRICAL TRAILERS (11.21)
1939 What is Oz? Teaser (0.32), 1940 Loews Cairo Theater Trailer (1.58), 1949 Reissue Trailer (2.50), 1949 Grownup Reissue Trailer (2.21), 1970 Children’s Matinee Reissue Trailer (1.35), 1998 Warner Bros. Reissue Trailer (2.05)


WHAT MORE can be said about The Wizard of Oz? As exhaustive as this DVD is, there’s also some relevance in discussing modern narratives based around this now classic film (itself of course a remake). One of the more recent homages – and admittedly so by the director – is Girl Interrupted (1999). Structurally, the film follows the same narrative arc that any fantasy film or novel may trace, and this can be illustrated by comparing elements of The Wizard of Oz to The Lord of the Rings trilogy for instance. David Lynch is also a regular exponent of the Oz narrative.