An Essential Film in American History

Rating: 9/10 (7 September 2016)

Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) is swept away to a magical land in a tornado and embarks on a quest to see the Wizard (Frank Morgan) who can help her return home.
I should probably give the film a 10, but I always find it hard to give anything 100%, because surely it could always be better in some way. Right? But "Wizard of Oz" is about as perfect as films get, with such a memorable plot and songs that it has inspired children (and adults) for 80 years. Now, with the "Wicked" books (and musical), it seems relevant again, even if those books are not canon.
What I find interesting is how simple some of the film is. The sets are very much stage sets and make no serious attempt at being "real". But they don't need to be. On the other hand, the makeup is amazing, the costumes beyond compare... and the flying monkeys are almost too lifelike!