The Wizard of Oz Review

My Review on The Wizard of Oz 1939

With its colourful scenes and imaginative designs, it appeals to the younger generation. This world from The Wizard of Oz is like an escape from reality to a child, from the rules of society and enclosed walls of safety in a child's home to this wondrous place of freedom. Roger Ebert argues this in his 1996 review on Chicago Sun-Times. 'The elements in ``The Wizard of Oz'' powerfully fill a void that exists inside many children. For kids of a certain age, home is everything, the center of the world. But over the rainbow, dimly guessed at, is the wide earth, fascinating and terrifying. There is a deep fundamental fear that events might conspire to transport the child from the safety of home and strand him far away in a strange land.' (Chicago Sun-Times) Ebert explains that a child is safe in its home and would be terrified if taken away into the wide world.

This film could also appeal to adults in a way that is viewed as the inner child in them, something deep inside that brings out our childhood. It can also be an escape for an adult to watch, remembering our childhood fantasies and temporarily forgetting the challenges of every day life. It is also like a journey we take from child to adult and the many problems we face along the way. Rob Vaux agrees in his review on Sci-fi Movie Page. 'We've all traveled that same path, which The Wizard of Oz reflects back at us with exquisite insight. We love it because it knows what we've been through and because it tells us everything will be all right. Like those four misfits on the road, we have everything we need; it just takes a little effort to discover for ourselves.' (Sci-fi Movie Page) Vaux explains that we have all traveled a long hard path in our lives much similar to the path traveled in The Wizard of Oz. If we stick at it and put in the effort we can discover our hidden abilities and goals.

To a child the villain in this film, the green witch although terrifying could be viewed as the horrid teacher at school or an unpleasant relative. This makes this film more scary for a child as they relate that witch to someone they fear in reality. Richard Luck mentions the fear in this film from his review on Film4. 'Indeed, what with the plethora of little people, gaudy colour palate, flying monkeys and the most frightening villain this side of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang's child catcher, it's possibly the most disturbing kids' film ever made.' (Film4) Luck mentions this film could be the most disturbing film ever made in the eyes of a child with its frighting characters.