Plot: 12-year-old Dorothy (Judy Garland) is in trouble after her dog, Toto, bites Ms. Gulch (Margaret Hamilton). After Ms. Gulch says she can legally take away Toto, Dorothy takes Toto and they run away. Whilst running away, she encounters a traveling fortune teller, Professor Marvel (Frank Morgan), who tells her that her Aunt Em (Clara Blandick) is ill. She goes back home, but a tornado has come. The Gales and the farm workers take shelter in a storm cellar, unable to find Dorothy. Dorothy takes shelter in the house and is knocked unconscious by a window frame blown in the storm. She then wakes up to find the home being carried up by the tornado. When the house falls back on the ground, she finds herself in a strange world. Glinda, the Good Witch of the North (Billie Burke) comes in a floating bubble telling Dorothy that her house fell on the Wicked Witch of the East and killed her. The Munchkins come out and celebrate the witch's death. The celebration is interrupted by the Wicked Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton) who wants to claim the ruby slippers, which are now on Dorothy's feet. Glinda tells Dorothy the only way she can go home is to see the Wizard of Oz. On her journey, she meets a Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), who wants a brain; a Tin Man (Jack Haley) who wants a heart and a Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), who wants courage. Will they be able to get to the Wizard and get all that they desire or will the Wicked Witch stop them?
Review: This is considered one of the greatest and most famous movies ever made and a classic in every sense of the word. And it is. This is one of many adaptations from L. Frank Baum's 1900 children's novel. In this film's plot, it's been said that there are 44 noticeable differences between the novel and this film version. So if you're looking for a faithful adaptation of the famed novel, you might want to try and look elsewhere. But if you're looking to be entertained and be touched by a great movie, look no further.
I always loved the premise of the plot. That you're able to go away to another world to get away from your problems. But the truth of the matter is that you can never avoid problems. That's the premise for several fantasy films and novels, but it's still a realistic approach. When you want to get away from your world and when you finally do, all you want to do is go back home.
The acting is great. There are four actors from the main cast that play multiple roles. I'm sure this was to save money because they had a budget a little over two million it's been said. Judy Garland is great at portraying Dorothy's initial vulnerability and her naivety and her eventual growth from her experience. Margaret Hamilton is frightening as Miss Gulch and the Wicked Witch of the West. The Witch's distinct and frightening voice sticks with you after you watch it. Ray Bolger is very good as the Scarecrow, the character who doubts himself because he doesn't have a brain. But it's quite obvious he's the most intelligent of the gang. Jack Haley is very good as the Tin Man. Bert Lahr is so entertaining as the Cowardly Lion. His comedic timing is perfect.
This is a musical. Of course, everyone knows the famous Over the Rainbow, which is very well done. The singing and dancing is just fun to watch because really when you look at it, the dancing that's done in this isn't that extreme. I'd say the most extreme dancing done is during the scene where the Munchkins celebrate the witch's death. Other than that, the rest of the dancing is fairly simple.
Visually the film is stunning. From gray to technicolor in just moments is very nice to see. I will say that when the film initially goes into color, I found it a little too bright. It's a silly complaint, but I did think it was too bright and happy they toned it done. The set design for Munchkindland is very good and you know just by looking at it you're in another world and that it's not a world inhabited by humans. I liked the set of Oz as a utopia. It's not a bad thing, but that's what I felt when I saw it. The witch's castle is very well constructed and has that eerie feel to it.
This is a classic that has been treasured for decades and will continued to be treasured for decades to come.
Rating: 5/5
No comments:
Post a Comment