"The Wizard of Oz" turns 70
Not just the sequel to Wicked, the beloved family film The Wizard of Oz turns 70 this year and is being released today in Ultimate Collector's Edition Blu-ray and DVD packages. I haven't seen the Blu-ray edition yet, but I took a spin through the standard-definition DVD set and was impressed. It has all of the material from the 2005 three-disc edition (the sharp 2005 restoration using Warner's Ultra Resolution process, commentary track by critic John Fricke, profiles of nine cast members, additional behind-the-scenes material, vintage silent films based on the Oz books) plus a new sing-along track, a 34-minute documentary on the director of The Wizard of Oz (and many other films), Victor Fleming: Master Craftsman; "Hollywood Celebrates Its Biggest Little Stars," a featurette on how the Munchkins got their star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame in 2007; The Dreamer of Oz, a 1990 television movie dramatizing the life of author L. Frank Baum, played by John Ritter, and also featuring Annette O'Toole and Rue McClanahan (poor picture quality might have relegated it to the bonus material instead of being released on its own); and a 51-minute silent film from 1951, The Patchwork Girl of Oz. A fifth disc has a Digital Copy of the film (compatible with iTunes and Windows Media; download code expires 9/22/10). The limited-edition (243,000 numbered editions) packaging is very attractive, though a bit awkward for shelf space (it's taller than a normal DVD), and the Amazon-exclusive edition includes four 8x10 character mini-posters. The large box opens to reveal a 52-page book Behind the Curtain of Production 1060 with cast bios and production notes and photos, a copy of the film's budget, a 70th-anniversary watch, and a replica campaign booklet that was intended to hype the film's release to theater owners. It's a fascinating time capsule of advance publicity for a film that is still being watched and discussed 70 years later. Below you can watch a clip of the packaging as well as an Amazon exclusive: Ray Bolger and Judy Garland in a recently discovered audiorecording of "If I Only Had a Brain," which was replaced by a peppier version for the film. You can't hear this in the Ultimate Collector's Edition--only here. --David
Christine L Rice on September 30, 2009 at 06:21 AM
Wow! This is the ultimate package for die-hard OZ fans. However, there is one thing missing - a free gift with purchase, i.e. a magic wand, a pair of red ruby slippers, or a stuffed Toto.
ZZMike on October 01, 2009 at 08:11 AM
It was shown in some theaters last Wednesday. I don't know what they used for the source. The presentation included a documentary with Angela Lansbury.
Unfortunately, the theater screwed up in the presentation. They couldn't figure out how to get the video on-screen - so we heard the audio from the documentary. Then they asked the audience if they should skip to the start of the film. We told them to go ahead, at which point the video came up and they started the fast-forward, finally settling down past the opening titles and credits.
Other than that, it's still a great film.
pyramisa sharm resort on October 11, 2009 at 11:20 PM
Wow, This is really nice offer. And you posted nice videos. Thanks for sharing.
joesen on November 07, 2010 at 10:39 PM
The limited-edition (243,000 numbered editions) packaging is very attractive, though a bit awkward for shelf space (it's taller than a normal DVD), and the Amazon-exclusive edition includes four 8x10 character mini-posters. The large box opens to reveal a 52-page book