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Actors: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, Billie Burke, Margaret Hamilton, Clara Blandick, Charley Grapewin, Pat Walshe
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about The Wizard of Oz (1939) |
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After being knocked unconscious during a tornado, a girl dreams that she's transported to a fantasy world. She finds herself in a town full of munchkins. A witch tells her that a wizard in the emerald city can help her get back home. To get to the city she must follow a yellow brick road. Along the she encounters a scarecrow without a brain, a tinman without a heart and lion with no courage; they join her in hopes that the wizard can help them. Along the way, they're hassled by a wicked witch. When they reach the emerald city, the wizard will only help them if they bring him the witch's broomstick. They reluctantly go to retrieve the broomstick. They're attacked by the witch's evil flying monkey and the girl is kidnapped. The scarecrow, the tinman and the lion sneak into the witch's castle to rescue the girl. They rescue her and kill the witch by throwing water on her, making her melt. They take the stick to the wizard where they discover he's just an ordinary man. However, he gives the scarecrow a degree making him smart, the tinman a ticking heart-shaped clock, and the lion a medal of courage, but he couldn't help the girl. However, the other witch helps her get home. She wakes up in her bed surrounded by her family.
--Brandon Swenson, Resident Scholar
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Dorothy is a simple Kansas farm girl with a boring life who is swept away with her little dog Toto to the magical kingdom of Oz, where she inadvertantly kills the Wicked Witch of the East, winning her favor with Glinda the witch of the north and with the munchkins who suffered under the Wicked Witch's rule.
Dorothy asks Glinda how she can get home to which the witch responds that the Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz would know, so Dorothy sets off to the city of Oz, met and accompanied by a Tin Woodsman, A Scarecrow, and a Cowardly Lion, all of whom desire of the Wizard something they lack.
Dorothy and her companions are granted audince by the wizard after much petitioning, and he tells them to gain what they desire, they must kill the wicked witch of the west, which they soon set off to do, during which time Dorothy is imprisoned in the witch's dungeon, along with her dog, and it is her friends' duty to rescue her and aid in the slaying of the witch.
--Steve Arthur, Resident Scholar
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A Kansas farm girl gets whisked off to the magical land of Oz and Meets the Munchkins, who send her off to see the Wizard himself. It also pioneered special effects that were remarkable in its day, such as when the Wicked Witch throws fire on the Scarecrow and also when she melts away. And even the apple tree slaps Dorothy's hand when she tries to pick an apple. The Scarecrow, Tinman and Cowardly Lion also go to Oz to get a brain, a heart and courage, respectively. And in the end, Dorothy returns to Kansas, which proves the famous inspirational line to be true every time: "There's no place like home."
--Teddy, Resident Scholar
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The American fairy tale. About a small Kansas girl who is taken to the fantasy world of Oz, where the farm hands, and neighbors take on other roles. While a typical 1930's Musical, still fantastic!
--J, Resident Scholar
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This is probably the most well known of the many film adaptations of the "Oz" series of books written by L. Frank Baum at the turn of the century. The story follows a young farm girl who doesn't feel loved and runs away, only to get caught in a storm and transported to a magical fairyland. There she encounters fantastic characters in her attempt to get home and avoid the wrath of a wicked witch out to avenge the accidental death of her sister. The musical numbers, inspired performances, and production values have made this film a family classic and cultural icon for decades.
--Zorikh Lequidre, Resident Scholar
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This is probably the most well known of the many film adaptations of the "Oz" series of books written by L. Frank Baum at the turn of the century. The story follows a young farm girl who doesn't feel loved and runs away, only to get caught in a storm and transported to a magical fairyland. There she encounters fantastic characters in her attempt to get home and avoid the wrath of a wicked witch out to avenge her the accidental death of her sister. The musical numbers, inspired performances, and production values made this film a family classic and cultural icon for decades.
--Zorikh Lequidre, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of The Wizard of Oz (1939) |
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Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about
books by breaking them down into many different literary
elements, all of which are searchable (click here). |
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Movie
Actual chase scenes or violence - 20%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzle - 50%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
**Fantasy or Science Fiction?**
- fantasy story on another world/distant past
Coming of age
Yes
he'll/she'll become:
- an adult (general)
Explore/1st contact
Yes
Explore plotlet:
- exploring CUTESY fantasy world
Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Profession/status:
- farmer
Age:
- a teen
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Hair color?
- brunette (Brown)
Events of movie makes character more...
- sensitive
- happy
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- soggy whimpering jelly muffin
Sense of humor?
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Physique
- average physique
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Body type
- very skinny (man)
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Female
Age:
- long-lived adults
Profession/status:
- mage/magician
Has special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist:
- fire/thunder/weather cntrl
- can fly
- can cast all sorts of spells
Eccentric:
Yes
- eccentric
- obsessed
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 40%
Hair color
- brunette (Black)
Body type
- skinny (female)
Ethnicity
- White
Sense of humor?
- Cynical sense of humor
Physical condition
- average physique
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Setting
Earth setting:
- 20th Century (1900-1950)
A substantial portion of this movie takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:
- inhabited by friendly aliens
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Planet outside our solar system?
Yes
Forests?
Yes
Big cities?
Yes
Misc settings
- fort/castle
Kind of city
- Beautiful sparkling advanced city
Small town?
Yes
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
Comedy or somewhat funny movie?
Yes
Any profanity?
- None
Kinds of F/X
- Things that change shape/morph
- exotic big cities
- exotic alien landscape
If Soundtrack VERY NOTICEABLE...
- Broadway musical
Is this movie based on a
- book
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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