A Great and Powerful Film

Rating: 10/10 (1 June 2014)

Released in 1939, "The Wizard of Oz" is a classic American film that had a modest start. After its release, and for many years, it was viewed as an entertaining film but not as a great film. When I was a child, it aired on network TV once a year, around Thanksgiving. Whole families would gather around their sets for this special annual viewing.
Later, when films became more widely available, its reputation seemed to grow and one would find it included in the lists of "best" films. Personally, I have always loved "The Wizard of Oz". I have seen it so many times, I practically know it frame by frame, as I am sure many others do.
Here are some of the reasons this film should be considered great and powerful:
1. The Beginning: The first part of the film, which is filmed in rich sepia tones, includes comedy, suspense, drama, music, and the establishment of all main characters.
2. The tornado: The special effects used to create the menacing tornado are spectacular. It is still an emotionally charged element, despite our exposure to the spectacles of modern CGI.
3. The song: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is regarded as one of the best film songs of all time. The film almost starred Shirley Temple and MGM wanted to cut the song, so we should consider ourselves lucky.
4. Judy Garland: The use of Judy Garland to play the role of Dorothy Gale added a sense of maturity to the role and to the movie in general. Her vocal talents elevated the film.
5. Frank Morgan: First introduced in the film as Professor Marvel, Frank Morgan's talents are used in a clever way through his various characters.
6. The use of color: When Dorothy arrives in Munchkinland, the screen erupts in color. It has various symbolic uses, but mostly it delineates between the world Dorothy is from and a new world where the rules are unknown.
7. The Munchkins: The strangeness of the new world and a considerable amount of charm are enhanced by this troupe and their voices.
8. The Yellow Brick Road: Not the literal road, but what it represents--an adventure of possibilities, where heroes are tested.
9. Serendipity: The fortunate way the elements of this film came together (Judy Garland vs. Shirley Temple, Ray Bolger vs. Buddy Ebsen, the use of the "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", etc.)
10. The Wizard: The use of screen projection, smoke and sound produced a scary Wizard that contrasted sharply with the beneficent image suggested to Dorothy by Glinda and the Munchkins.
11. The musical score in general. The production is generously endowed with some magical musical numbers.
12. The supporting cast: Dorothy's fellow travelers seem perfectly cast to us now, so iconic are their characterizations.
13. The Witch: One of the great villains in film history, surrounded by her henchmen and her minions (the flying monkeys, terrors in their own right).
14. The script: The story is engaging. It is also responsible for a slew of iconic quotes. My favorite is "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!"
15. The director: Victor Fleming's vision produced a delightful film that can be enjoyed over and over. When we consider that he also is credited with directing "Gone with the Wind" in the same year--amazing!