The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 American musical fantasy film directed primarily by Victor Fleming from a script mostly by Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf, with uncredited contributions by others. It was based on the 1900 novel of the same name by L. Frank Baum, who died twenty years before this film was released. It features Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr and Frank Morgan, with Billie Burke, Margaret Hamilton, Charles Grapewin, Clara Blandick and the Singer Midgets as the Munchkins. Notable in its use of special effects, use of Technicolor, fantasy storytelling and unusual characters, The Wizard of Oz has become, over the years, one of the best known of all films. Its impact, however, was not nearly as strongly felt at the time of its original release.

Dorothy Gale, a 12-year-old Kansas farmgirl, is knocked unconscious during a tornado. She, her dog Toto, and the farmhouse are apparently transported to the magical Land of Oz, where she sets out on the yellow brick road to the Emerald City to ask the Wizard of Oz to return her to Kansas. During her journey, she meets a Scarecrow, a Tin Man and a Cowardly Lion, who join her, hoping to receive what they lack themselves (a brain, a heart and courage, respectively). They are pursued by the Wicked Witch of the West, who wants her dead sister's magic ruby slippers, now worn by Dorothy. At the end of the film, Dorothy finds herself back in her own bed at the farmhouse, but in Kansas, where her aunt tries to convince her that she dreamt her adventures in Oz.

Initially, The Wizard of Oz made only a small profit due to its enormous budget, despite largely favorable critical reviews. "Over the Rainbow" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the film itself received several Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Telecasts of the film began in 1956, and because of them the film has found a larger audience—its television screenings were once an annual tradition and have re-introduced the film to the public, making The Wizard of Oz one of the most famous films ever made. The Library of Congress named The Wizard of Oz as the most-watched film in history. It is often ranked among the top ten best movies of all-time in various critics' and popular polls, and it has provided many memorable quotes.

I'm going to get murdered for this.

C

Is it a nice little fairytale if you're a kid? Yes. However, looking at it with open eyes, it's painfully slow and boring. All the words and dialogue are so drawn out, it's truly the 30s version of bad childrens jokes and puns, and it's hard to sit through. It's dated, unbelievably.

I'm going to get murdered for this.

C

Is it a nice little fairytale if you're a kid? Yes. However, looking at it with open eyes, it's painfully slow and boring. All the words and dialogue are so drawn out, it's truly the 30s version of bad childrens jokes and puns, and it's hard to sit through. It's dated, unbelievably.

At the time of it's release it was the best film of all time... and it stayed that way for another 15 years.


B+

At the time of it's release it was the best film of all time... and it stayed that way for another 15 years.


B+

lol

Maybe you should try watching some movies from before you were born.

Lol, I've seen wayyyy more older movies than you think, trust me.

Doubt it.

So what 1954 movie are you cryptically referring to, a movie so good it got higher than a B+? On the Waterfront? Seven Samurai? Rear Window? Something kookier like La Strada?

Wizard of OZ is a good film but is not the only film to warrant a B+ for over 15 years.

Glad to see you love Rear Window. One of mt friends said Disturbia was better! I re-educated him!


No "A" film was made between 1939 and 1954?

Imo Mr Smith goes To Washington (A), Casablanca(A+), Sunset Blvd(A+), It's a Wonderful Life(A), Double Indemnity(A) and All About Eve(A) are all at least B+ material, my friend...

Imo all those films above are better, sophisticated then the Wizard of OZ by miles.

Thats my opinion however people also love The Third Man(B), The Maltese Falcon(B+) and Citizen Cane(B-) and GWTW(B) from that time.