The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Dallas Plotline Page
Apr 9, 2024
5 min read

Full disclosure, I found this review intimidating to start because of the immense nostalgia I have for The Wizard of Oz. I grew up watching this magical tale and having nightmares about the flying monkey army for many years. So I went into my re-watch determined to view it in a critical lens, even if it meant ranting about a story I once loved. Luckily, I was pleasantly surprised to find new layers of story I never noticed and gained new appreciation for this classic film. Let's discuss The (wonderful) Wizard of Oz!

The Gist

Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) lives in a humble farmstead with her aunt and uncle until a terrible tornado transports her and her trusty dog Toto (Terry) to the magical land of Oz, accidentally crossing the Wicked Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton) in the process. Armed with a pair of ruby slippers and a trio of new friends, Dorothy journeys to see the Wizard of Oz (Frank Morgan) to ask for his aid in returning home.

Here is the trailer if you'd like to see more:

MPAA Rating: G

The Take

This film is best known for the vivid color palette that saturates the screen, which was difficult to achieve in an age where Technicolor had only been viable for a decade. What The Wizard of Oz accomplishes with the Technicolor transition at Dorothy's entrance to Oz is masterful. The opening scenes in their sepia tint manage to make the full color switch in Oz that much more impactful. Dorothy's humble beginnings at the farm are monochrome to us, and Dorothy's life is one-toned in her perspective as well. The classic "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" song highlights her desire for a grander life, and she gets more than she bargains for when she is transported, house and all, to a land over the rainbow.

The music in The Wizard of Oz is full of earworms for sure, and I found myself singing along to the various introductory tunes throughout the Munchkinland sequence. What did surprise me is how little music there is in the second half of the film, and I came to the realization that the songs are strategically placed for a purpose. The filmmakers use the music as an interpretation of joy and wonder in order to instill these feelings in the audience. We know when Dorothy, her friends Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), Tin Man (Jack Haley), and Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), and all the residents of Oz feel a sense of triumph or excitement because they erupt into song. The presence of a foe or obstacle ends that joy, and the songs end in that moment as well.

This is transparently a film meant for families to enjoy, in part because there are clear distinctions between good and evil. The witches are designated as Good or Wicked, and all actions by our heroes are justified. Dorothy drops a house on someone, but because that someone is Wicked it is met with happiness by the Munchkins. Her ultimate defeat of the Wicked Witch of the West comes about by complete accident, sparing her from a more complicated crisis of character. Even in the opening scene with Dorothy on the farm, the story telegraphs Mrs. Gulch's (also Margaret Hamilton) villainy as she uses her influence with local authorities to have Toto put down. Nothing will have an audience side against the antagonist faster than their desire to harm a dog. This is not a nuanced story by any means, and is not intended to be.

One new joy I discovered upon this re-watch comes from Dorothy's character, because she has more fight in her than I remember. She takes on Mrs. Gulch and decides to run away in order to save Toto. Upon her arrival to Oz, she readily accepts the journey she must undertake and even convinces her traveling companions to accompany her in order to achieve their own desires. Dorothy constantly fights back at the corrupt systems surrounding her, from arguing with the powerful Mrs. Gulch to calling out the Wizard's duplicity. She has a fierceness that I feel is not always explicit, but is there nonetheless.

My favorite aspect of the story comes from the selfless friendship Dorothy shares with Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. They constantly put the needs of their traveling companions before their own, and advocate for one another when an authority figure tries to put down one of their group. Dorothy does not hesitate to give up her dream of returning home in order to ensure her friends get what they want, and they all fight against the dark forces of the Witch's armies in order to save and protect Dorothy. There is no lingering animosity or uneven friend dynamic during the journey, just unabashed camaraderie and support.

The story is about realizing what you have, which is an especially important lesson in the age of influencer culture. If my life was awash in sepia tones and littered with adults who don't have time to listen to my troubles, I too would dream for a land far away. But despite Dorothy's grand aspirations, she pretty quickly realizes her true wish to be home with the family she loves, not in a land full of bright colors and Munchkin adoration. Her friends too long for a brain, heart, and courage, only to find out that they had what they wanted all along. All they needed was the insight to realize their abundant lives.

While I typically try to focus on the film as its own entity, it is hard to avoid the horror stories about the production of the film behind the scenes. From the toxic makeup and dangerous equipment malfunctions, to the abuse and substance dependency 16-year-old Judy Garland faced, the production of this film is the nightmare behind the dream sequences. It does diminish my viewing experience, because the process for making The Wizard of Oz is in direct opposition to the end result.

I had such a joy when re-watching The Wizard of Oz, and can attest that the story and visuals stand the test of time. This film is a darling of the industry for very valid reasons, and I would recommend giving it a watch (or a revisit if you've seen it before)!

Rating: 9/10

Memorable Moments

"Some people without brains do an awful lot of talking!"
I am obsessed with the Horse of a Different Color.
The sheer color saturation is impressive even 85 years later.

Try It If...

You like classic musicals.
You want to see the brilliance of the Technicolor screen.
Adventure stories about friendship appeal to you.

Avoid It If...

You are not a fan of older films.
Witches freak you out.
You don't like films about quests or adventure.

The Wizard of Oz is available to stream on Max.