The Wizard Of Oz Blu-ray Review

**The News Bot** · 22-10-2009, 8:55 AM

Reviewed by Alan Paterson, 22nd October 2009
That all time classic movie musical fantasy ‘The Wizard of Oz’ comes to Blu-ray with an excellent Region free 1080p VC-1 transfer that’s framed in the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1. The colours are vibrant in a way that only three strip Technicolor can deliver. Contrast is spot on while blacks are inky and throughout there’s a fine veil of grain that has not been spoilt by the restoration. In places the image has real depth, almost like 3D.
The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround track has been cleaned to remove unwanted snap, crackle and pop, so we get clean dialogue in this mostly front weighted mix although the surrounds are tastefully integrated at various points and the subwoofer gets the occasional nudge. It sounds very good indeed.
There are more extras in this Ultimate Collectors box set than you could shake a Witch’s broomstick at – as well as some reprints of period publicity material, a lavishly presented hard back book – oh, and don’t forget the wristwatch with REAL crystals.This package should be on every movie buff’s Christmas list, or at least at the end of every rainbow. Forget the pot of gold, go see the Wizard.

Read the full review...

IAN P · 22-10-2009, 9:26 AM

Very nice, cheers Alan.

Pity there's a good chance customs getting their grubby little hands on it, not to mention the strikes.

Another 13 quid if it gets caught.

Alan Paterson · 22-10-2009, 10:17 AM

If you get it from Axel Music, you won't get dinged by Customs as they collect Tax at their end.
Alan

IAN P · 22-10-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cougar

If you get it from Axel Music, you won't get dinged by Customs as they collect Tax at their end.
Alan

I'm gonna' wait a bit, my buy list is wayyyyy to long.

New titles only followed by replacing older ones I already have. Saying that, I've just bought the Dirty Harry boxset. So much for the theory.

mentasm · 22-10-2009, 11:54 AM

I appreciate that the film is 70 years old, but I don't think that it's a 9/10 transfer.

Pecker · 22-10-2009, 11:57 AM

This is one of the few classics about which I'm quite ambivalent.

It doesn't have a particularly interesting or well told story; there's little depth or allegory in it for adults, unlike Disney films of the same era, and I don't think it's aged as well with the kids, again as Disney films from the same era.

It looks 'glorious' in Technicolor, but that starts and stops with the bright colour scheme. I don't think it's particularly well or imaginatively shot, and the in studio locations are cheap and artificial looking in a way that detracts from the story.

Compared to A Matter of Life and Death from a few years later (also Technicolor /b&w, also with a lot of shooting on set) it looks very amateurish.

I'll stop now before someone shoots me.

Steve W

richard_t · 22-10-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mentasm

I appreciate that the film is 70 years old, but I don't think that it's a 9/10 transfer.

I got the UCE last week (haven't watched it yet...I'm saving it for an afternoon in the Christmas Holidays where it belongs

) but I have had a quick flick through...

I personally can't think of a transfer that deserves 9/10 or maybe even 10/10 anymore than this one does. It's gorgeous. The transfer far supasses the quality I'd expect from any film of that age, even one as massively popular as this.

**Phil Hinton** · 22-10-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mentasm

I appreciate that the film is 70 years old, but I don't think that it's a 9/10 transfer.

It is in my opinion. Got my set a few weeks ago and it looks lush, almost like seeing it for the first time. Bad news is the cheap sets and backdrops stand out like a sore thumb and as it was shot on three strip its never been the sharpest looking image (along with lots of soft focus), but in terms of seeing it as it should be seen, this is as close as possible without a time machine. Plus, the technicians have to be complemented in keeping the grain and only cleaning up what needed removing, checking each frame by eye to make sure it was right.

It's cheesy, hocky and as Steve suggests a little childish with no real adult hooks, but as a piece of genuine cinema history and lore, its up there with the rest of the classics. And I have always had a soft spot for it since childhood viewing on the telly.

Oh and the 6 hour documentary on MGM (I'm two hours in) is worth the money alone if you love your movie history!

Pecker · 22-10-2009, 12:19 PM

Cheers for the tip, Phil.

Freya & Theo will be getting Snow White for christmas, but this may follow for a birthday.

Now, if everyone wants to polish off their copies of Dark Side of the Moon and synch up their CD player with the Blu-ray Disc player...

Steve W

Alan Paterson · 22-10-2009, 1:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mentasm

I appreciate that the film is 70 years old, but I don't think that it's a 9/10 transfer.

As ever, a wide range of views. However, it's always more interesting for everyone if someone explains why they disagree - perhaps indicating deficiencies as they see them.
I still think it's a 9/10 transfer for the reasons I oulined in the review.
I don't think Warners could have done more with the 70 Year old negs.
You have to be realistic as you know that it's never going to look like something shot on modern day Eastmancolor neg.

Alan

acid007 · 22-10-2009, 1:24 PM

I used to joke its not christmas until you see a showing of TWOO, jest not........it used to be the case!, at least in my household.

Yes its aged and perhaps it does not connect with modern audiences as it used to. Its still perfect uplifting family fodder and its good to see a worthy transfer to boot.

Thanks for the review
Sid

IAN P · 22-10-2009, 2:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pecker

I'll stop now before someone shoots me.
Steve W

BANG.

Donnacha · 22-10-2009, 3:03 PM

one for the xmas list I think ! It would be great to sit down with the young lad in a few years to watch this and experience a magical film in its best presentation format. Surely a must for kids...of all ages!!

mentasm · 22-10-2009, 6:46 PM

Well my comment is obviously just an opinion as well, and I guess it depends largely on the criteria you apply to discs. Personally I'm not really in favour of assigning numerical values in reviews because it raises all sorts of questions. Is it 9/10 compared to all releases? 9/10 given the age and materials they had to work with? Is the score purely for the technical aspects, or for the visual experience as a whole? That's sort of the point I was making.

There's no doubt that it's a good looking transfer (see the cap), but I wasn't blown away (for whatever reason).

Alan Paterson · 22-10-2009, 10:09 PM

And the reason you weren't blown away was?
That's what is of interest to me and, I'm sure, other members.
Alan

mentasm · 22-10-2009, 11:57 PM

Because I wasn't. Maybe it isn't quantifiable. The review mentions 'crispness', but I don't see that. Sure it looks good for a 70 year old film, but crisp isn't a word I'd use to describe it. Don't take it personally, it's only my opinion and in no way diminishes anyone else's.

Alan Paterson · 23-10-2009, 8:18 AM

That's better. You've now, at least, tried to describe an area where you disagree. It's okay, I never take feedback personally.
Thanks for your input.
Alan

tele1962 · 25-10-2009, 9:03 PM

Thanks for the great review.
I live in Newcastle and remember going to the Odeon Byker around 1969 when it was showing there i think it was a double bill with Tom Thum. I can't wait to get this Blu-Ray release as soon as i can.
(been made redundant so may be a little while)

I think you realy captured how we feel about this classic.
Cheers.
Barry.

simonblue · 26-10-2009, 1:28 AM

Saw this as a kid and hated it, about the same time saw Lawrence of Arabia and love it.

Still feel the same

SportiveUK · 31-10-2009, 7:46 AM

A couple of daft questions:

The review states 4 discs. From what I can tell the standard DVD UCE has 4 discs but the Blu-ray Collectors Edition has 2 discs... or is there yet a different version?

Is the box set reviewed known to be getting a proper UK release and even if so, is it worth waiting for? I only really ever buy UK releases and whilst the main feature is obviously 1080p, what format are all the extras presented in and would this be different on a UK release? i.e. am I going to be watching everyting in a tiny 480p box on the screen?

The basic UK release Blu-ray is in a tacky "sing-a-long-version" box

Alan Paterson · 31-10-2009, 9:57 AM

Hi Andrew,
The details of the content of the box set are laid out by disc, item for item, under the Blu-ray review tab so you can decide if you think it's worth buying. I included a picture of the physical contents of the box contents under the pictures tab. If you read the Blu-ray review, under the Extras, you'll see that where the presentation is not in HD, I've indicated that it's in SD (Standard Definition) next to the run time for each item.
I'm not aware of a planned UK release for this box set, but the set reviewed was Region free.
Hope this helps. It's all in the review.
Kind regards
Alan

micks_address · 31-10-2009, 10:40 AM

watched most of this last night - it is a pretty remarkable transfer when you think of the age of the film... part of me wished it filled the whole screen.. yes i know its as filmed.. but some of the classics like this makes me wish they had been filmed in a wider aspect ratio

SportiveUK · 31-10-2009, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cougar

Hi Andrew,
The details of the content of the box set are laid out by disc, item for item, under the Blu-ray review tab

Thanks, I think it must be some of the retailers that have confused things but listing the same product but with only 2 discs (MovieTyme for example).

opdef · 08-11-2009, 4:36 PM

Has anyone bought the UK version of this, apparently released last week? I notice it's only 2 Blu Rays & a DVD, as opposed to the 3 Blu USA version. Does this mean it omits the massive MGM Documentary? Seems a real shame if so as I'm really interested in that. I'll probably buy it anyway, mind.

rgvsean · 08-12-2009, 4:59 PM

Yes I have the UK version but not watched fully yet, saving it for x-mas. Had a look and agree with most of the above from what I've seen. I quite like the cheap sets and cheaper costumes, I mean who can be fooled now anyway? Its now such a good picture that if you turn the lights out it seems more like being at a very very good christmas panto rather than at the cinema.

I wouldn't know how to score a transfer but switching between dvd to blu using 2 players is very revealing to how it's improved. I have to say if the picture has improved 5 times the sound has improved 20 times and that adds far more value for me.