Writing multiple paragraphs about a classic film that is more than 80 years old and has been seen by virtually everyone on Earth at least once in their lives is something that is quite unnecessary, but alas, I am passionate about. Victor Fleming's The Wizard of Oz is an undeniable classic of film history and a fantasy tale that will forever stand the test of time. Not only does this film have some of the most memorable performances and songs in it but the themes of childhood wonder and optimism are some things that are definitely needed in today's times. While this movie was never a huge part of my childhood or even one that inspired me as a filmmaker, it is one that anyone can look back on and see why it has become so influential and so endlessly referenced throughout pop culture. The technicals are gorgeous, the set design is phenomenal, and the story is simple but sweet enough to provide for lifetimes of entertainment and in a wondrous setting like Oz, that is all that audiences could ever ask for.
Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland), a young girl living in Kansas, is swept away by a tornado and lands in the magical land of Oz, where she finds many strange creatures and witches that immediately enchant her. Struggling to figure out how to get home, she encounters and enlists the help of a scarecrow (Ray Bolger), a cowardly lion (Bert Lahr), and a tin man (Jack Haley) in order to reach the Wizard of Oz (Frank Morgan), who supposedly knows how she can get home. This film is such a classic at this point that I really don't have to explain what the movie is about, but its simple premise still holds up to this day. There is something so magical about this story that is easily able to transport you into the fantastical world of Oz and that is due to so many various elements. One of my favorite parts about this movie is the costuming and set design throughout every scene. While many of the backgrounds and backdrops were very obviously staged and painted upon, they were gorgeous nonetheless and made every scene and every interaction between Dorothy and her newfound friends so memorable. Along with this, the music in the film is incredible and despite some of them being less catchy or not as well-composed as others, every character's individual breakouts and vocals were absolutely solid. I love how well the music personalizes every character and their individual arcs were great. All of these unforgettable characters work together with such a whimsical dynamic that is quite easy to fall in love with. This movie is truly such an amazing technical achievement of the time and everything about it, from the cinematography to the expansive use of color in one of its most pivotal scenes, is breathtaking and continues to have that same effect today.
What makes a lot of The Wizard of Oz so successful and memorable are the performances from the entire cast. Garland, Bolger, Lahr, and Haley are all fantastic as the main, traveling cast, and their chemistry together is palpable. It's a bit ridiculous that so many of these absolute strangers would get along so well all of a sudden but the way Fleming frames their relationships make it very believable. It also helps that the comedy in this movie is light and easy to chuckle to but I strongly believe in how effective it was. My only issue with this film is the framing of Dorothy as the main character and how little she develops. I find the scarecrow, tin man, and cowardly lion to be the most interesting characters throughout this movie, mostly because they are looking for something that they are missing, whether it be a brain, heart, or courage. These made for some excellent character traits but Dorothy seemed to carry the same, naive energy with her throughout the movie. I honestly became a bit annoyed by her optimism at times and although Garland is perfect in the role, I do not understand why she had to be the main focus. This script, however, is wonderful and adapts the novel in such an interesting way. The dialogue, even for a fantasy film, felt so natural for each character and the childlike wonder radiated through every word. There is not much I can say about the magic that stems from this film that hasn't already been said but it's true regardless. So much of this movie has been made iconic due to its powerful, lasting effect and even now, as someone who is close to graduating with a degree in Film and Media Productions, it is hard to gloss over how strong that said effect is. Countless fantasy and drama films of today use some tropes and themes from this film to help build their story and Victor Fleming's direction really ties this adorable world together.
The Wizard of Oz is one of, if not the, greatest and most impactful fantasy film of all time and even while it was made more than eighty years ago, still holds up incredibly well. While Garland is most famously known for her role as Dorothy, I believe that every other element of this movie is what really elevates it to the classic status that it has achieved. Victor Fleming's cinematic adaptation of this story is undoubtedly more popular than the novel itself and despite the issues with this film's production, it all came together to make one of the most beloved movies of all time.
My Rating: ★★★★½
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