To mark an extraordinary anniversary of one of the most iconic, legendary and important movies to ever grace the silver screen, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has released The Wizard of Oz on 4K Blu-Ray—for the very first time.
Head down the Yellow Brick Road with Dorothy, the Lion, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow in the most dynamic visual brilliance and sonic succulence known to the home video format. You have never witnessed The Wizard of Oz in a more stunning manner than what is available now on home video. Judy Garland, you have never sounded so spectacular.
The film landed on screens on August 15, 1939 when it premiered at the fabled Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood. Directed by Victor Flemming, the man had the otherworldly distinction of having directed two timeless classics in the same year. Yup, Flemming was the helmer for Gone With the Wind. Imagine that! Can you think of two more influential films and both helmed by the same person during the same calendar year…just extraordinary.
Garland starred as Dorothy Gayle, a girl who didn’t necessarily realize how good she had it at home, until she was literally swept up in a tornado and landed in the titular locale, where she would embark on a journey with a touching trifecta of characters—each sharing her desire to find some sort of purpose in the most existential ways. As has become fabled, the Lion sought courage, the Tin Man a heart, the Scarecrow a brain and Dorothy, well, she just wanted to get home. All believed they could find what they sought from a mysterious man who shares the moniker of the film. In order to fulfill their wishes, the Fab Four undertook the most challenging and entertaining of journeys, filled with inspirational parallels that played a major part in why The Wizard of Oz has not only remained relevant for eight decades, but also resonated with countless generations who all share an appreciation and passion for all things Oz.
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The script was adapted from L. Frank Baum’s enduring children’s story and explored what happened when Dorothy (and of course her adorable dog Toto) discovered that she wasn’t in Kansas anymore. Besides her new pals, Dorothy also encountered witches—both bad and good—munchkins, a field of “dreams” and of course who could forget those maniacally menacing flying monkeys!
So many elements of The Wizard of Oz showcases storytelling at a level that few films, plays or anything in the popular cultural realm, have ever come close to achieving. For starters, those witches … they are fascinatingly crafted as being the same coin, but each inhabiting a different side. There have been countless studies over the years about the seismic influence Baum’s tale has had on the art of storytelling—what with its multitude of rich layers and dramatic nuances that all speak to something exponentially larger.
Then, there’s the music. The score by Herbert Stothart is a work of genius, along with the music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg. From the seminal Somewhere Over the Rainbow through every single priceless piece of music that adds countless layers to the emotive power of the film, the score and soundtrack is another puzzle piece that, with all of the previously mentioned elements, collectively make The Wizard of Oz one of the truest and purest of entertainment experiences known to the human race.
The film also introduced the world (at least a larger world) to the greatness and grace that is Garland. Sure, she had the vocal prowess of an angel. But it was her larger thespian talents that drew audiences into the journey that the Kansas teen undertook. We all have found varying forms of inspiration from Garland’s performance since it debuted all those years ago. History has seen Garland’s turn overshadow her co-stars, but lest we forget the brilliancy displayed by Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow; Bert Lahr’s Cowardly Lion and Jack Haley as the Tin Man. In an astonishing showcase of timeless talent, the great Frank Morgan appeared in six different roles—including the man behind the curtain, aka Oz.
If there is a film that screams for the 4K upgrade, it is The Wizard of Oz. The color palette (at the time of release) were rich and had audiences dropping their jaws at the spectrum of visual wonder that filled the screen. Thought those yellows, greens and reds were vibrant previously? Put it this way … The Wizard of Oz in 4K, after experiencing it in all its glory, will have you so inspired by the beauty and stunning sonics, that one may seek out 4K upgrades of all your fave films! The 2160p visual transfer has us thinking that Warner’s have truly outdone themselves. Seriously, this is going to be a hard archive film to top for that coveted 4K upgrade.
Many fans have the 75th anniversary Blu-Ray upgrade. Trust me, donate that puppy to your local library and race to acquiring the 4K release. The difference is seismic on so many levels. Audio-wise, there is also a slight difference between the 75th anniversary Blu-Ray release and the aural awesomeness achieved with the 80th anniversary 4K. The audio is not as much of a contrast to the previous release, but that is solely because that release had a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix that is pretty remarkable.
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When it comes to the bonus features, what is included is pretty much what was included on the anniversary edition of five years prior. There’s one addition that will surely send any Wizard appreciator into the stratosphere of joy. There is a 1990 released television documentary that was aired on CBS that has not been on any home video incarnation of Oz in a decade.
Some of the standout featurettes (that were all previously released) includes an audio commentary track with a bevy of brilliant souls who have either a direct line to the original film or is a noted expert on all things Oz. I also treasured The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Storybook (narrated by Angela Lansbury), a terrific behind-the-scenes doc, The Making of The Wizard of Oz and who doesn’t adore a sing along? The one on this release will have you waking the neighbors as you belt out these sonic classics.
There’s a bevy of other bonus features, seemingly countless, that enrich the entire experience in ways that will entertain as it enlightens. Check out the Original Publicity featurette and witness how movie marketing has changed over the last eight decades. There’s also a terrific look at both the August 15, 1939 Hollywood premiere and the August 17, 1939 premiere in New York City.
Personally, the greatest aspect of this 4K release was sharing it with my young daughter. She has been fascinated by the Dorothy story—introduced on Amazon Prime with Lost in Oz. Showing her the gift to movie viewing that is the original film was an experience I will never forget. In this digital, hi-def world that our youth are growing up around, sometimes the appeal of an older film—even if it is a compelling classic such as Oz—is lost on our kids. Witnessing the 4K The Wizard of Oz alongside my little one had her practically jumping out of her seat at the color vibrancy that added layers to the “reality” of what she was emotionally feeling. The film has always served as a fantastic gift and now that we are heading into gift giving season, there can be no better shared familial bliss than collectively experiencing one of the greatest movies ever made in a format that is the greatest ever offered.
Film Grade: A+
Bonus Features: A+