THE WIZARD OF OZ - John J. Puccio reviews the 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition on Blu-ray

Connect to Facebook/Twitter, recommend via email and much more.

---

We're off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz!

THE WIZARD OF OZ 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition (4-Disc DVD Set, or 4-Disc Blu-ray Set) » (includes 2 bonus discs)

Also available in 2-Disc DVD Special Edition

70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition...
—> Blu-ray Review by John J. Puccio »
EXCERPT: There's nothing like a restored and remastered high-definition transfer of a beloved motion picture to start with. Warner Bros. have given MGM's classic "The Wizard of Oz" a complete makeover—cleaning, polishing, and retexurizing every frame for this big Blu-ray gift-box set.

It's remarkable to think that the 1939 movie classic "The Wizard of Oz" we all know and love wasn't always as popular as it is today. At the film's opening, observers gave it mixed reviews. "As for the light touch of fantasy," wrote critic Otis Ferguson, "it weighs like a pound of fruitcake soaking wet." And critic Richard Mallett said, "I don't see why children shouldn't like it, but for adults there isn't very much except Bert Lahr."

Although the film enjoyed a profit at the box office after being re-released in the U.S. in 1949 and 1955, it would not realize its current status as a cultural icon until it began appearing as an annual special event on TV, premiering on network television in 1956 and beginning its historic run in 1959. After that, there was no stopping it. When MGM made the film, they had hoped it might achieve the success of Walt Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." Little did they know it would take more than a quarter of a century to do so.

Now, after issuing several previous DVD editions, Warner Bros. have released the movie in their biggest and best set yet, the one reviewed here the "70th Anniversary Ultimate Collection Edition" on Blu-ray, with a totally restored picture, improved sound, and an absolute ton of extras.

"I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too."

"The Wizard of Oz" remains one of the most enduring musical fantasies of all time, and the Blu-ray edition, with its newly restored print, remixed lossless sound, and multitude of extras, makes it better than ever before. How much do I like it, personally? When DVDs appeared on the scene in 1997, the very first three discs I bought were "Batman," "Blade Runner," and "The Wizard of Oz," and I've bought every version of them since. I couldn't be happier than to see "The Wizard of Oz" with its new, improved high-definition trappings.

"There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home."

(Click thru the Link above for the complete and extensive film review, amazing and abundant extras, and the A/V quality of 1939's beloved THE WIZARD OF OZ, from Warner Bros.)

Warner Home Video celebrates the beloved classic with spectacular new DVD or Blu-ray version, September 29, featuring 16 hours of enhanced content (four of which are brand new) — includes New Documentaries, Featurettes, a Sing-Along Track and Extraordinary Collectibles!

Burbank, CA — It is difficult to imagine a motion picture more magical and more wonderful than Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's beloved and classic 1939 musical, The Wizard of Oz. Over the last seven decades, the film has indelibly woven itself into America's cultural consciousness: Is there anyone who doesn't immediately think of the film upon hearing the words, "Dorothy," "Toto," "Emerald City," "Ruby Slippers" and "Yellow Brick Road" — or the lines to the song "Over the Rainbow?"

Now, the colorful characters and unforgettable songs of Oz come alive as never before when Warner Home Video brings this cinematic treasure into the digital age with the September 29 Blu-ray release of The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition. The commemorative edition contains nearly 4 hours of all-new and never-before-available bonus features and is housed in numbered collectible packaging, and will be available for a limited time only for $69.92 SRP (DVD) and $84.99 SRP (Blu-ray Hi-Def).

In order to bring all the visual splendor of The Wizard of Oz to the Hi-Def world of Blu-ray Disc, the film has been entirely remastered, with each of the original Technicolor camera negatives scanned using 8K resolution. From this scan, a final "capture" master was created in 4K, yielding twice the resolution seen in the master utilized for the film's previous DVD release - VIEW DETAILS.

Working in "full film Resolution", extreme care was taken to ensure that all of the image fidelity contained in the original negatives was properly captured for this new presentation. The sounds of Oz will come alive on Blu-ray disc utilizing the full audio spectrum capabilities available through Dolby TrueHD audio. The net result is one of unprecedented quality that is sure to make The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Edition a benchmark in the history of the Blu-ray format.

There is also a dedicated official site for all Oz-related events and products: www.thewizardofoz.com

The following components are ALL-NEW and exclusive to the Ultimate Collector's Edition:

The Dreamer of Oz — which makes its long-awaited home video debut. Also remastered the occasion, this full-length motion picture was an NBC-TV special event in 1990 and thrilled critics and audiences as it told the back story of author L. Frank Baum, "the Royal Historian of Oz." John Ritter shines in the title role -- the man who defied all odds to create the famous characters and stories. Annette O'Toole beautifully co-stars as his supportive wife, with Rue McClanahan as his challenging witch of a mother-in-law.

Victor Fleming, Master Craftsman — a new feature-length documentary produced specifically for this release about the Hollywood director who, in the same year, miraculously brought both Oz and Gone With the Wind to the screen.

Hollywood Celebrates It's Biggest Little Stars — a new featurette stars seven of the original "Munchkins of Oz" and tells the saga of the long journey, culminating in them receiving their own 2007 Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Magic Cloak of Oz — the first release of the complete 1914 silent film, including lost footage never before included in a home video presentation of this feature (produced by Baum himself).

The Patchwork Girl of Oz — another 1914 Baum-produced, feature-length silent film, new to Warner Home Video.

The Wizard of Oz Sing-Along Track — here making its home entertainment debut.

Reproductions of Archival Material — Extraordinary renderings of the original 1939 Oz campaign, exploitation, and press books. These materials constitute a Hollywood "holy grail" for Oz, Garland, and motion picture fans alike and, for decades, have been among the most sought-after and impossible-to-find collectibles.

Behind The Curtain — a 52-page miniature coffee-table book, assembled by pre-eminent Oz historian John Fricke. Encompassing much previously unpublished material, the deluxe volume includes behind-the-scenes Oz photographs, studio memos, and script pages for abandoned scenes and musical numbers.

Exclusive Wizard of Oz Watch — A collectible and numbered 70th Anniversary watch, incorporating art from the film and enhanced with genuine crystals. Available nowhere else, this beautiful timepiece was created specially for this DVD edition.

DIGITAL COPY (bonus disc)

And for the Blu-Ray Ultimate Collector's Edition, the original extended version of "If I Only Had a Brain" performed by Ray Bolger has been remastered in hi-definition especially for this release.

Details on the various OZ 70th Anniversary editions...

4-Disc DVD Ultimate Collector's Edition:
Includes 16 hours of enhanced content (4 of which are brand NEW)
Disc One:
• Remastered feature with Dolby Digital 5.1 Audio (NEW)
• Sing-along Track (NEW)
• Commentary by John Fricke with Barbara Freed-Saltzman (daughter of Arthur Freed), Margaret Hamilton, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, John Lahr (son of Bert Lahr), Jane Lahr (daughter of Bert Lahr), Hamilton Meserve (son of Margaret Hamilton), Dona Massin (MGM choreographer), William Tuttle (make-up artist), Buddy Ebsen, Mervyn LeRoy, and Jerry Maren
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Storybook
• Prettier Than Ever: The Restoration of Oz
• We Haven't Really Met Properly
• Music and Effects Track
• Original Mono Track
Disc Two:
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic [1990 TV special]
• Memories of Oz [2001 TCM documentary]
• The Art of Imagination: A Tribute to Oz
• Because of the Wonderful Things it Does: The Legacy of Oz
• Harold Arlen's Home Movies
• Outtakes and Deleted Scenes
• It's a Twister! It's a Twister! The Tornado Tests
• Off to See the Wizard
• 3 Vault Shorts
• Audio Jukebox Selection
• Leo Is on the Air Radio Promo
• Good News of 1939 Radio Show
• 12/25/1950 Lux Radio Theater Broadcast
• Still Galleries
• Six Theatrical Trailers
Disc 3 & 4 are Exclusive to this edition
Disc Three:
• Victor Fleming: Master Craftsman (NEW)
• L. Frank Baum: The Man Behind the Curtain
Celebrating Hollywood's Biggest Little Stars (NEW)
• The Dreamer of Oz [1990 TV special] (NEW)
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1910)
• The Wizard of Oz [1933]
Disc Four:
• His Majesty, The Scarecrow of Oz
• The Magic Cloak of Oz [1914] (NEW)
• The Patchwork Girl of Oz [1914] (NEW)
• The Wizard of Oz [1925 feature]
• Collectible and numbered 70th Anniversary Wizard of Oz watch with genuine crystals
• Replica of the original film budget
• "Behind the Curtain" (a 52-page, coffee-table book)
• Reproduction of the original 1939 campaign book
• Bonus DIGITAL COPY

2-Disc Blu-ray Ultimate Collector's Edition:
(plus 2 additional bonus discs)
Includes 16 hours of enhanced content (4 of which are brand NEW)
Disc One:
• Remastered feature with Dolby True HD 5.1 Audio (NEW)
• Sing-along Track (NEW)
• Commentary by John Fricke with Barbara Freed-Saltzman (daughter of Arthur Freed), Margaret Hamilton, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, John Lahr (son of Bert Lahr), Jane Lahr (daughter of Bert Lahr), Hamilton Meserve (son of Margaret Hamilton), Dona Massin (MGM choreographer), William Tuttle (make-up artist), Buddy Ebsen, Mervyn LeRoy, and Jerry Maren
• Original extended version of "If I Only Had a Brain" performed by Ray Bolger (remastered in HD)
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Storybook
• Prettier Than Ever: The Restoration of Oz
• We Haven't Really Met Properly
• Music and Effects Track
• Original Mono Track
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic [1990 TV special]
• Memories of Oz [2001 TCM documentary]
• The Art of Imagination: A Tribute to Oz
• Because of the Wonderful Things it Does: The Legacy of Oz
• Harold Arlen's Home Movies
• Outtakes and Deleted Scenes
• It's a Twister! It's a Twister! The Tornado Tests
• Off to See the Wizard
• 3 Vault Shorts
• Audio Jukebox Selection
• Leo Is on the Air Radio Promo
• Good News of 1939 Radio Show
• 12/25/1950 Lux Radio Theater Broadcast
• Still Galleries
• Six Theatrical Trailers
Disc 2 is Exclusive to this edition
Disc Two:
• Victor Fleming: Master Craftsman (NEW)
• L. Frank Baum: The Man Behind the Curtain
• Celebrating Hollywood's Biggest Little Stars (NEW)
• The Dreamer of Oz [1990 TV special] (NEW)
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1910)
• The Wizard of Oz [1933]
• His Majesty, The Scarecrow of Oz
• The Magic Cloak of Oz [1914] (NEW)
• The Patchwork Girl of Oz [1914] (NEW)
• The Wizard of Oz [1925 feature]
• Collectible and numbered 70th Anniversary Wizard of Oz watch with genuine crystals
• Replica of the original film budget
• "Behind the Curtain" (a 52-page, coffee-table book)
• Reproduction of the original 1939 campaign book
Disc Three: (additional DVD bonus content)
• BD Collector's Exclusive: MGM: When The Lion Roars Documentary (not included on the DVD UCE), a six-hour documentary from 1992, hosted by Patrick Stewart, that chronicles the history of the studio in three parts.
• Bonus DIGITAL COPY of the film (4th disc)

_________________________________________

Also available in 2-Disc DVD Special Edition (SRP $24.98), which includes the following:
• Remastered feature with DD 5.1 Audio (NEW)
• Sing-along Track (NEW)
• Commentary by John Fricke with Barbara Freed-Saltzman (daughter of Arthur Freed), Margaret Hamilton, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, John Lahr (son of Bert Lahr), Jane Lahr (daughter of Bert Lahr), Hamilton Meserve (son of Margaret Hamilton), Dona Massin (MGM choreographer), William Tuttle (make-up artist), Buddy Ebsen, Mervyn LeRoy, and Jerry Maren
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Storybook
• Prettier Than Ever: The Restoration of Oz
• We Haven't Really Met Properly
• Music and Effects Track
• Original Mono Track
Disc Two:
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic [1990 TV special]
• Memories of Oz [2001 TCM documentary]
• The Art of Imagination: A Tribute to Oz
• Because of the Wonderful Things it Does: The Legacy of Oz
• Harold Arlen's Home Movies
• Outtakes and Deleted Scenes
• It's a Twister! It's a Twister! The Tornado Tests
• Off to See the Wizard
• 3 Vault Shorts
• Audio Jukebox Selection
• Leo Is on the Air Radio Promo
• Good News of 1939 Radio Show
• 12/25/1950 Lux Radio Theater Broadcast
• Still Galleries
• Six Theatrical Trailers

More DVDTOWN News about the OZ restoration...
—> Ruby, emerald, and yellow in Blu-ray: THE WIZARD OF OZ 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition offers six times the resolution of DVD! » (Sept 9) - OZ restoration details provided by Scott Hettrick... also, Netflix to stream FREE digitally remastered 'Wizard of Oz' on October 3.

Film Synopsis:
When a nasty neighbor tries to have her dog put to sleep, Dorothy takes her dog Toto, to run away. A tornado appears and carries her to the magical land of oz. Wishing to return, she begins to travel to the city of Oz where a great wizard lives.

Adapted from L. Frank Baum's timeless children's tale about a Kansas girl's journey over the rainbow, THE WIZARD OF OZ opened at Grauman's Chinese Theater on August 15, 1939. The film was directed by Victor Fleming (who that same year directed Gone With the Wind), produced by Mervyn LeRoy, and scored by Herbert Stothart, with music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg. Ray Bolger appeared as the Scarecrow; Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion, Jack Haley as the Tin Woodman. Frank Morgan was seen in six different roles, including that of the "wonderful Wizard" himself. Dorothy was portrayed by a 4'11" sixteen year old girl who quickly earned her reputation as the world's greatest entertainer: the incomparable Judy Garland.

The Wizard of Oz received five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and captured two Oscars® -- Best Song (Over the Rainbow) and Best Original Score -- plus a special award for Outstanding Juvenile Performance by Judy Garland. The film was an overwhelmingly popular and critical success upon its initial release and repeated its ability to captivate audiences when M-G-M reissued the film in 1949 and 1955. The film made a new kind of history with its network television premiere in 1956 on CBS. Nearly 45 million people tuned in for this initial telecast, marking the beginning of an annual tradition. Ever since, The Wizard of Oz has been shown virtually annually on network (and then cable) television; its magical story and heartfelt performances have enabled it to grow from a perennial classic to its current status as a treasured icon of popular culture.

---

Please Note - More details:
Be sure to check out the full details under related releases.

For other releases:
DVD & Blu-ray release calendar »

---

Connect to Facebook/Twitter, recommend via email and much more.

---