review by Matt "Cinebro" Conti Pro
The Wizard of Oz 1939
Watched Sep 14, 2012
Matt "Cinebro" Conti’s review:
**Part of the Best Picture Project**
I can not think of anything better to start off the great year of 1939 other than The Wizard of Oz.
Every time I watch this film, it is always after some long gap since I last saw it, and yet, with every visit, the film does something that is nothing short of a miracle. I end up watching it with both nostalgic and fresh eyes. I remember things, but it still unfolds like brand new each and every time. This is the mark of a film that is truly timeless.
The last time I saw the film was on television in standard format, many years ago. Now, on my revisit, I see it on Blu Ray, and it really is like I'm seeing it brand new. The Blu Ray truly brings out just how magnificent this film is on a technical level alone. Not only does the camerawork seem to flow even more smoothly now, but production details are brought out that I never even noticed before. Though the film is 73 years old, the effects still bring such a sense of spectacle to the fantasy world it inhabits.
This film is without a doubt one of the most technically perfect films I've ever seen. I couldn't find a single fault in the editing, the camerawork, the choreography, NOTHING. Even the corny theatrical acting is perfect.
But I'm downplaying the story, which is part of what makes the film timeless. The best children's films usually have protagonists that are wholly sympathetic yet can learn a thing or two, and Wizard of Oz does that perfectly. Dorothy's journey is magical, and damn it if I don't want to join her and her singing friends as they dance their way through matte paintings on the way to another set.
Going by all the history the film went through, it should simply not work. It went through 5 great directors before finally settling on Victor Fleming. Yet the film defies all of this. It's strongly made. There's barely a fault. You wouldn't know any differently if you just watched it. It's the result of artists who love their craft and strive for perfection.
It's because of all of this that The Wizard of Oz is going to be remembered forever as its played on countless TV stations during the holidays and gets passed on from generation to generation.
The year always gives me a bad feeling. 1939 .... I have never been able to bring my self to watch this. One of my fav childhood books.
How so?
Old movies .. aren't kinda my thing.
I say this to everyone that tells me they have a fear of old movies: Watch more of them.
They're harder to watch initially because usually you've embedded yourself with an idea of modern aesthetics. So older films appear to move slower than they really do. But this isn't really always the case. While there are a great many of old films that have aged their way into obsolescence, it's usually because they were never really good to begin with. The really good films are still enjoyable to this day. I can hardly tell the difference.
Besides, this doesn't really apply to Wizard of Oz, because as my review states, it really is timeless. It says a lot when a film this old still manages to make me go "Wow."
I feel sorry for anyone who refuses to watch older films. You're missing out on the best the medium has to offer.
@Cinebro I get what you are saying, well sort off. Most of the classics haven't disappointed me.
but every time i try to watch another one, the doubt is there. I might get there eventually. At 22 there still a lot of time to get around to these.
Someone should make an Evergreen list of classics. I would, but I haven't seen that many to make one.
@ryan Every time i watch a movie from the 50's,60's or 70's. I say i should have watched it earlier. I guess its just the age or its just me. I would get around to it, eventually and i guess i would keep saying " i should have watched it earlier".
Why doubt the classics when you most likely look forward to many modern pieces of shit?
That makes no sense to me.
A lot of things don't make sense. This is one among that.
agree with Ryan on watching older movies. That being said there are good modern films and just cause it's a classic doesn't mean you have to like it.
@ Cinebro I agree completely. I say if your used to fast pace movies then ease your way into them. start in the 80's and 90's then move back. Also there are great older movies. Need I mention Star Wars or Jaws.
And I agree with Filmslayer. There are a few classics that don't hold up well at all, and several newer masterpieces.
I just don't see why anyone would ignore the first 100 years of cinema - simply because the movie are older. Those people clearly don't like movies as movies. If they did, they would be watching all sorts of films, and not just the newer, popular ones.
It's fine to see film as entertainment, but I don't know why those people would come to sites like this.
@ryan Well to answer your questions
1.People come to site like this to get a clear idea about how good a movie is, A movie 10 years old or a 100 year old. This site is the best out there, imo.
2. Only movie buff (mostly) come here. I am one.
3. I don't hate old movies. I do watch old movies. There are quite a lot of old movies i love more than any of the recently released ones. 12 Angry men, Its a wonderful Life, Casablanca, Vertigo to mention a few.
4. I just find it hard to watch old movies. Its not i don't like them. It just is a bit hard to get my self to watch one.
If you're starting with OZ, then you still have two personal faves: GWTW and Goodbye Mr Chips. If you get to the end of Chips and aren't (a) In love with Greer Garson and (b) Sobbing when Chips says "Oh, but you're wrong. I have. Thousands. . ." -- then you have no soul. ;-)
Here's how I look at films, you got a few kinds. You have ones like Fast and The furious or Star Wars which are meant for entertainment first and foremost. Then you have movies like Citizen Kane which are meant to be deep intellectual films that if all you want is to have fun are hard to sit through. Neither are bad is just you need to be in certain mind sets for each. Me personally I am drawn to the more entertaining films but ever once in a while a character study or something along those lines is good.
Re old movies: I must just be a lot older than you lot. (I will be 39 in Dec.) I absolutely do not think of Star Wars and Jaws as "old" movies.
haha well I'm 20 so they are older then me. That being said there also 2 of my favorites.