The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz

Dir: Victor Fleming 1939

The Wizard of Oz is almost certainly my favorite film. It’s a classic there is just no two ways about it. The fact that this grand epic film was made in 1939 has never ceased to amaze me every effect that worked back then still holds up today. With no exaggeration I have probably seen this film over fifty times; I’ve been watching it ever since I was a small child and have owned it in three separate mediums (VHS, DVD, and special edition blu-ray.)

But what is it that keeps bringing me back to a film I have seen way too many times? If I’m being honest with myself (and all of you by extension) there’s isn’t much about it that doesn’t work for me.

The characters are timeless and memorable, Dorothy is just a mixed up girl who is in way over her head and just wants to get home. The three friends that she makes along the way, The Scarecrow, The Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion all care so much for her that they risk their own lives to save her from the evil Wicked Witch.   And of course who could forget Toto.

The plot is simple but the audience is taken on this amazing journey through this bright colorful magic land and it feels real. I always remember how distinctive the colors are throughout the middle part of the film and how much of a contrast it is to the black and white parts of the film. The fact that the magical land of Oz is colored just lends and extra level of wonder to the whole experience.

I really feel like I could take about the Wizard of Oz for days but I’ll leave you with this thought. Every time  I watch the film I am captivated by it, as if it was my first time seeing the film. It truly has that immersive quality for me.