When it was released during Hollywood's golden year of 1939, The Wizard of Oz didn't start out as the perennial classic it has since become. The film did respectable business, but it wasn't until its debut on television that this family favorite saw its popularity soar. And while Oz's TV broadcasts are now controlled by media mogul Ted Turner (who owns the rights), the advent of home video has made this lively musical a mainstay in the staple diet of great American films. Young Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland), her dog, Toto, and her three companions on the yellow brick road to Oz--the Tin Man (Jack Haley), the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), and the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger)--have become pop-culture icons and central figures in the legacy of fantasy for children. As the Wicked Witch who covets Dorothy's enchanted ruby slippers, Margaret Hamilton has had the singular honor of scaring the wits out of children for more than six decades. The film's still as fresh, frightening, and funny as it was when first released. It may take some liberal detours from the original story by L. Frank Baum, but it's loyal to the Baum legacy while charting its own course as a spectacular film. Shot in glorious Technicolor, befitting its dynamic production design (Munchkinland alone is a psychedelic explosion of color and decor), The Wizard of Oz may not appeal to every taste as the years go by, but it's required viewing for kids of all ages. --Jeff Shannon

Bought it for my 2-year old, kept it for myself

I introduced my 2-year old to Wizard of Oz a month ago, and she can't get enough of it. She demands it when she wakes up, at nap-time, bed-time and after lunch. We dance together in Munchkinland, she knows most of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by heart -- though she doesn't understand the words -- and "Tin Man", "Scarecrow", "Witch" and "Courage" have become part of her vocabulary.

So I decided to pick up this edition for her. Being so accustomed to the over-saturated edition we're all so familiar with, I must say my initial reaction as Dorothy stepped into Oz was rather negative. Where did all the color go? But then all the incredible DETAIL started leaping off the screen and I was enthralled. I didn't know the Wicked Witch had hair!

I loaded up the remastered version on my 12" laptop, while my daughter watched the old DVD on our 42" plasma display, and watched the two side-by-side, and even with all the limitations of the laptop's LCD the difference was amazing! The desaturation alone has brought out so much detail that had been washed out of the pre-restoration version. Some of the highlights: the Witch's hair emerges from the shadows under her hat; the annoying moire patterns are gone from Dorothy's dress; the kingly robe the Lion dons during "If I were King of the Forest" turns out to be an elegant green, not black; and oh! the soft suppleness of Bert Lahr's lion's mane! What a delicious relief from the hideous over-saturated, burnt orange shading we've had to endure all these years.

One other detail I noticed that I haven't seen mentioned in other reviews: the pre-restoration version (or at least mine), had suffered some cropping in the past both horizontally and vertically. The remastered edition restores those lost edges -- about 15 percent by my estimation in all directions.

Of the extras discs, I was most pleased to see Harold Arlen's home movies, and learn how they created that incredible tornado. Even seventy years on the deleted footage of the tornado engulfing the farm house was terrifying. No wonder it was cut from the film!

On a personal note, I was happy to see new footage of family friend Meinhardt Raabe, who had been a college classmate of my grandfather's in Wisconsin. It's been twenty years since I've seen Raabe, and I was delighted to discover he's still alive.

I was apprehensive spending this much money on a movie I already owned. But I must add my voice to those who say it was absolutely worth the price. If you care about Wizard of Oz, you need to get this. If you've never seen the remastered edition, this will delight and enrapture you.

A classic for all times

I bought this for my wife as it is a favourite movie of hers. A little to my surpriee, all my kids, ages 3, 4 and 10 (x2) all love the movie too. Sometimes a classic is just that and ignores the generational gap that often comes with cinema or entertainment of the day.

the wizard of oz

very good copy. had no complants. Thank you and have a great holiday