Kelly Ho | Contributing Writer
“The Wizard of Oz” is a nostalgic yet timeless classic that captured the hearts of generations, through the trials and adventures the film still evokes a sense of nostalgia. As we celebrate its 85th anniversary this year since its first release, let’s dive back into how the magic began.
Directed by Victor Fleming and adapted from Frank Baum’s novel, the film starts with a Kansas farm girl named Dorothy and her dog Toro getting swept up in a tornado from their home and transported to the magical Land of Oz. She embarks on the journey to find the “Wizard of Oz” to return home, in which she makes friends with a Tinman who wants a heart, a Lion who wants courage, and a Scarecrow who wants a brain.
Winning an Oscar for the best Original Song, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” was played in my elementary classroom. I was in awe hearing it for the first time.
As a child, I found the juxtaposition between the characters to be the most exciting. The “cowardly” lion showed courage, while the Tinman who had no “heart” showed feelings, and the Scarecrow who had no “brains” was the group strategist.
The film appeals to every audience with not just visuals, but its memorable characters, and timeless themes of courage, friendship, and confidence. It gives a beautiful message to be true to yourself and fight for what you desire.
Judy Garland who played Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” was presented an “Academy Juvenile Award” in 1940 for her outstanding performance during the past year.
Cinematographer Harold Rosson and Technicolor consultant Henry Jaffa helped create a defining moment in cinematic history using color. The steep contrast between the dullness of the Kansas farm and the colorful world of Oz left me surprised with its use of Technicolor, which was revolutionary at its time.
The supporting cast each gave the story more purpose with their interactions with Dorothy, highlighting each theme and reinforcing the film’s message throughout the movie.
However, while “The Wizard of Oz” is a timeless masterpiece, it has flaws. Audio and visual issues can be seen throughout the movie; it even had safety concerns outside the cinema, including the utilization of asbestos for fake snow, as it hadn’t been discovered to be dangerous at the time.
“The Wizard of Oz” evokes many different emotions in people, which I felt helped push the film immensely into being a classic in the film industry. With its fast-pacing and unique storytelling, this movie remains to be iconic throughout generations.
In terms of camera movement, the film uses extreme angles of long shots, medium shots, body shots, and rarely some close-up shots. Giving the film more depth, I felt and saw how it helped enhance some scenes like the long shot of the Emerald City.
The film also uses different types of lighting to create a more vibrant and magical feel, by using low key, high key, and three-point lighting. Due to this, I remember the film and its characters to be lively and vibrant.
“The Wizard of Oz” is lovely and inspiring. I loved the film’s overall message and how it conveyed its message to the audience. It serves as a blank canvas for not only filmmaking but also an inspiration for the people. This timeless masterpiece will continue to inspire future generations to come.
8.5/10
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