A classic

Rating: 10/10 (28 October 2002)

This marvellous film is so much a part of my childhood that I can't really look at it too objectively. But the more I watch it as an adult, the more impressed I am by the sheer quality of the sets, the special effects and the make-up. As a child you take it for granted, but to think all this was done in 1939. For serious Oz fans I would highly recommend Aljean Harmetz's fascinating book, which contains all the background info about the shoot and the planning of the film. The DVD is also good value and contains several scenes which were taken out of the finished version (such as the well-known "Jitterbug" sequence.)
Every Christmas I sit down to watch this film, and I don't mind admitting that every time I hear "Over the Rainbow", it brings tears to my eyes. (The songs are, of course, another huge contribution to the movie's greatness.) The scene when Dorothy opens the door and walks into Oz, and the screen is filled with colour for the first time, is another memorable moment.
The proverb may say that familiarity breeds contempt, but in the case of this film I doubt I will ever tire of it. Mind you, I am a friend of Dorothy...