(Sinclair& Hommel, 1939) (Movie film cover, 1939)
- The film I selected to discuss is ‘The Wizard of Oz’. “Surely one of the most famous and best-loved films ever made, The Wizard of Oz tells the story of a restless teenage girl’s desire to escape her dreary world and the apparent fulfillment of that wish when a storm transports her to a mystical and colorful fantasy land”(Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2011, p. 243). According to the AFIs 10 Top 10 list (n.d.), this film was written by Noel Langley and Florence Ryerson (Scr). The Directors are Victor Fleming and King Vidor. Major actors include: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger Bert Lahr and Jack Haley. It was released 25 Feb 1939. The actual book was first published 17 May 1900 by author L. Frank Baum.
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- Plot – When a bad storm hits Kansas, Dorothy (young orphaned girl) and her dog Toto, are whisked off to the Land of Oz. They are greeted by the Good Witch of the North who gives her the magical shoes that can return her if she goes to the Emerald City. They follow the yellow brick road toward the Emerald City to meet the Wizard of Oz to help them. On their way they meet a Scarecrow that needs a brain, a Tin Man missing a heart, and a Cowardly Lion who is lacking courage, but wants it. The Wizard of Oz who everyone says can help Dorothy return home and possibly grant her new friends their goals of a brain, heart and courage.
- Story – A young women, Dorothy, and her dog, Toto, are swept away to a magical land by a big storm. They are greeted by witches and Dorothy receives some magical shoes. Dorothy and Toto must travel on a brick road to find the Wizard of Oz to help them get back home. Along the way they meet several memorable friends.
- I would say this movie follows in a chronological order as it goes by her journey across the Land of Oz. She leaves Kansas, travels across Oz and then returns home.
- The elements of storytelling in this film is heightened with drama and conflict while reminding us, the viewers, that Dorothy needs to reach back home and moreover, help her new friends and herself, and Oz. The storytelling made me, as I watch this film, be in the film and care about the characters like Dorothy, Toto and their new friends. And the character development of each character over the period of the film changes and molds into strong characters (they started off weaker than they ended). A great Fantasy Film.
- If the film following a different presentation style, the general effect on the audience could have been different perhaps. I think the film could not improve in my eyes though as they did a great storyline and black and white, to color, to black and white (making an affect). Presenting a silent film, in my eyes, would not have the positive effect that the film currently has. No voice or character sound and feeling would make the movie not as much suspenseful and magical. If they had decided to present it only in black and white, or just in all color, the effect would have not been as impacting and noticed from Kansas and the Land of Oz. Presenting the film in order of events also was the best way to lead the audience in the outcome (of finally returning home).
References
AFI: 10 Top 10. (n.d.). Retrieved July 23, 2014, from http://www.afi.com/10top10/moviedetail.aspx?id=7892&thumb=1
Bolle, C. (2014, July 23). christinabolle [Web log post]. Retrieved from https://christinabolle.wordpress.com/
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2011). Film: From Watching to Seeing. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
Sinclair, C., & Hommel, G. (1939, February 25). The Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland), The Tin Man (Jack Haley), and The Scarecrow (Ray Bolger) [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.grayflannelsuit.net/blog/wizard-of-oz-vintage-cast-photos-1939
The Wizard of Oz [Movie Cover]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-the-wizard-of-oz-1939
ENG 225 Christina Bolle 