DVDs in Review

The Wizard of Oz

Title: The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Release date: November 2 2009

Certificate: U

Format: Reviewed on four-disc DVD, available on Blu-ray

DVD RRP: £19.99

Rating: 5/5

To celebrate its 70th anniversary, Warner Brothers have re-released their absolute classic – the beloved ‘Wizard of Oz’, and instead of just jazzing up the artwork, they’ve gone to town on the extra features as well.

Re-imagined on four disc DVD, three-disc Blu-ray or as a standalone sing-along single DVD, ‘The Wizard of Oz’ has finally received the treatment it deserves.

Everyone knows the story of Dorothy (Judy Garland), the sad farm girl who dreams of a better life “somewhere over the rainbow” and after being rendered unconscious after a tornado strikes, her dreams appear to come true in manner of ‘Alice in Wonderland’.

Innocently wandering into almost drug-like alternate reality, Dorothy is advised to follow the yellow brick road to make her way to Emerald City to meet the Wizard of Oz who can then return her back to her Kansas farm.

A scarecrow, tin man and a lion join her for her epic journey. They all lack a certain trait, be it a brain, heart or courage, and by the end their trip will remedy those character defects.

All in all, it’s a timeless tale, but more impressive than the magical storytelling is the technical side of the film.

Shot in glorious Technicolor on a massive budget when the majority of other films were trailing behind in black and white, there isn’t a single ugly shot in the entire film. On the contrary, the compositions feel sumptuous and artistic, if somewhat glossy and overstated.

The sound design, and of course the music itself, always manages to hit the right notes and Warner’s new home video treatment is perfect for showing off the capabilities of any home cinema unit.

‘The Wizard of Oz’ is the kind of classic film that you’ve either seen already or probably should have by now, and like the movie itself, this new DVD treatment is a timeless and strongly recommended addition to any serious film lover’s collection.