Director: Victor Fleming
Starring: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan and Bert Lahr
‘A Spellbinding Classic’
When it comes to the greatest fantasy movies ever made without flaws, it’s worth discussing “The Wizard of Oz”. Released several years ago, Victor Fleming’s classic film changed the world by depicting a woman on a journey somewhere over the rainbow. Boasting breathtaking visual effects, sharp storytelling and strong acting, it has stood the test of time as a fantastic fantasy classic. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance from Judy Garland, who is magical as Dorothy. Ultimately, it delivers an emotional message which would resonate with anyone that has enduring tornado disasters at an early age. A fantastic musical masterpiece, there are several strong reasons why it remains the best fantasy film ever made.
Set in Kansas City, “The Wizard of Oz” tells the story of a young girl that gets swept in fantasy lands far from reality. Judy Garland embodies Dorothy Gale, a young girl raised in a Kansas farm. Dorthy dreams of escaping her miserable life to a world somewhere over the rainbow. However, Dorothy’s life forever changes when she becomes caught in a tornado causing disaster. Swept into a fantastical world of Oz, Dorothy seeks to explore a new world. Assisted by a lion, scarecrow and tin man, Dorothy seeks to find a wizard that will solve her problems. As she discovers harsh realities, Dorothy questions whether her dreams will turn into reality.
Victor Fleming was a newcomer to the fantasy genre. Before directing “The Wizard of Oz”, the filmmaker had never ventured before into the fantasy genre. Fleming was best known for directing the Oscar-winning historical movie “Gone With the Wind”. “The Wizard of OZ” represented his first forays into the fantasy genre. It was Fleming’s first attempt to adapt a beloved fantasy book to the big-screen, but he succeeded. Through powerful cinematography, Fleming captures a young woman on a journey to discover her identity somewhere over the rainbow. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes. Fleming effectively uses shifts in colour to capture Dorothy’s transition from Kansas City to the fantastical world of Oz. Fleming expertly uses black-and-white visuals to capture the grim nature of Kansas City that is struck by tornado catastrophes. In contrast, bright and eye-popping colours bring the land of Oz to life. Through this shift in colours, Fleming creates a fantastical world viewers can easily relate to. Using breathtaking visuals, Fleming celebrates a fantastic novel.
Another admirable aspect of “The Wizard of Oz” contributing to its success is the musical numbers. For a movie made during the 1930’s, the film’s production has aged incredibly over time. Fleming constructs memorable musical sequences through using magical realism. For instance, magical realism elevates the “If I Only Had a Brain” scene. During this unforgettable scene, the tin man wonders what his life would have been if only he had a brain. One admires magical realism capturing the magical world of Oz. Through these strong musical sequences, Fleming creates a fantastical world that feels like a dream come true. Moreover, the musical score is fantastic. Harold Arlen’s musical score is magnificent. It captures the fantasy themes of the book. Each song is memorable and key to the film’s success. Through breathtaking production, Fleming introduces an engaging fantasy world which is compelling.
Storytelling is one of the key reasons why “The Wizard of Oz” is a classic which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses symbolism to capture a magical world. Fleming’s screenwriting strength is capturing the journey of a woman to discover her identity through symbolism. Throughout the movie, Fleming utilizes clever symbolism to showcase Dorothy’s transformations from a girl in Kansas City to a strong heroine.For instance, the red slippers that are gifted to Dorothy by the Witch represent a symbol of innocence. When she wears the slippers, Dorothy is able to escape harsh realities into a magical world of fantasy. Through clever symbolism, Fleming creates a compelling female heroine which audiences can easily relate to. Symbolism is a tricky technique. However, it works tremendously in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Fleming celebrates a legendary fantasy book widely regarded a classic today.
One admires astonishing performances.
Judy Garland delivers one of her finest career performances as Dorothy. Before making “The Wizard of Oz”, Garland had never starred in a major Hollywood movie. It was the actress’ first ever role in a major Hollywood movie, but she pulled it off successfully. In the role that launched the career, Garland captures a woman off to see wizards with fear. With riveting expressions, she captures the childlike curiosity, fear and determination of a girl on a journey. Not only does she capture Dorothy’s larger-than-life personality, but she proved she excelled at singing melodies. It’s a phenomenal performance that launched the career of a beloved actress today.
The supporting cast is spectacular and also worthy of recognition. Ray Bolger is brilliant, capturing pain of a scarecrow yearning for having a brain stuck in a dilemma that is not simple to explain. Bert Lahr is stellar, bringing fear to a cowardly lion with a strong desire to have a heart whose life has been torn apart. Lastly, Margaret Hamilton merits recognition. As the Wicket Witch of the West, she brings an air of menace to the movie.
Finally, “The Wizard of Oz” earns everyone’s appreciation because of its powerful message that deserves a round of applause. The movie tackles universal themes including identity, childhood and self-discovery. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the fantasy genre to appreciate the movie. Unlike most movies that are made in the 1930’s, it doesn’t at all feel like its outdated. On the contrary, it has a powerful message which would engage everyone which has faced tornados at an early age. Therefore, “The Wizard of Oz” is one of those rare films in the fantasy genre that everyone would undoubtedly adore.
Fans of the fantasy genre will definitely enjoy “The Wizard of Oz” and so will movie-goers seeking old-fashioned entertainment. A fantastic fantasy classic, it’s a magical film that has stood the test of time somewhere over the rainbow.
Nearly 90 years following the release of an iconic film about women swept in a tornado that endeavour to embark on yellow brick roads somewhere over the rainbow, it’s a spellbinding tribute towards a classic movie with a brain, heart and courage that forever changed the world through its powerful depiction of a fantastical world with bright colours that would glow which left a lasting impression on the lives of children by giving them dreams to follow.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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