Whether as a book, as a cartoon, as a musical film, as a video game, or even through the innumerable references that are made to this work, we are all related to the story of the magical land of Oz.

Movie Poster

The book was written by Lyman Frank Baum and illustrated by WW Denslow more than a century ago (in the year 1900), but undoubtedly, the immortalization of Dorothy and her peculiar friends is largely due to her film version, which was premiered in 1939, for which we celebrate in this 2019, 80 years of its appearance; and that's why the present post focuses on the film version, ignoring the differences that exist with respect to the original story.
This story begins with Dorothy, a 14 year old girl who dreams (first awake, then asleep) with knowing a beautiful place where everything is possible and there are no problems. Well, that dream is fulfilled by a tornado that takes her away, with house and everything, together with Toto, his faithful puppy, to the magical land of Oz. This great adventure is full of dangers, requests, characters, learning and of course many songs; but the most relevant element are the friends she meets on her way and the lessons that emerge from the reflections on these adventures.

In Oz with Toto

The Scarecrow who wants a brain, the Tin Man who wants a heart, and the Lion who longs for courage, accompany Dorothy to Emerald City to find the great Oz to ask him to return her home, hoping that he also grants their wishes to her friends. After fulfilling a risky mission and discovering who is really Oz, he says he can not grant them what they want because they already have it, but instead gives them recognition. Great lesson of the film: Many times we don't see we want what we already have inside us and we need someone to make us see it. Also, in the script there are some loose phrases that are worth noting. In his first encounter with the Scarecrow, Dorothy tells him that it's rare that he talks so much if he does not have a brain, to which he replies: "Many people don't have brains and talk a lot". Later, when they are "attacked" by the Lion, Dorothy punches her nose and he recoils, fearful, while she says to him "That happens when you threaten someone weaker than you."

Going to Emerald City

The powerful Oz, who is not so powerful, drops a couple of sentences while giving the Tin Man his heart. First he says "You don't know how lucky you are not to have one", because of the request of the metallic character and after of giving him the gift, says: "a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others". These are quotes that are worth reflecting on and that are leaving teachings in the spectators, mostly children and young people. However, the other great lesson that the film seeks to teach is that there's no place like home, because, in Dorothy's words "I won't look any further than my own backyard... because if it isn't there, l never really lost it to begin with. Is that right?". They are just a few quotes from the film, but they serve to instill courage, respect, compassion, gratitude, kindness and other noble feelings.
From the technical point of view, the film is incredible. More if you take into account the year in which it was made. The contrast between the scenes of Dorothy in Kansas, in sepia tones, with the technicolor magic of the scenes in the land of Oz, the costumes, the stages, the soundtrack, including that masterpiece that is "Over the rainbow" which earned an Academy Award and especially the performances of the protagonists, led by an adorable Judy Garland (Dorothy) make this, as well as an endearing story, an extraordinary film jewel.

Singing "Over the rainbow"

The Wizard of Oz not only gave us that beautiful song. It also left references in our culture as the red shoes or the yellow brick road; Dorothy and her three faithful friends are characters known to many who haven't read the book; and there are phrases from the script of this film that remain immortal in our memory, as when, when arriving at Oz, Dorothy says, surprised and innocent: "Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore". For all this and much more that doesn't appear in this post, I consider a 9/10 for a classic film that combines the magic of a fairy tale with a deep philosophy about the human soul and endows it with many colors and happy music. In short, a story that can be enjoyed, with soda and popcorn, by young and old alike, as they have done over eight long decades.