2010 m. lapkričio 3 d., trečiadienis

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

The Wizard of Oz
Story by: L. Frank Baum
Film directed by: Victor Fleming
Review by: Dmitrij Polukarov






Topic of the review: Concept Design of the Environment and it's Connection to the Story


Wizard of Oz is a story written by Frank Baum about a girl named Dorothy and her little dog Toto and their adventure. They were caught up in a tornado and sent to a different world,where in order to seek out a way back home they followed the yellow brick road towards the Wizard of Oz. On their way they met obnoxious fellows. The Scarecrow who wanted to get a brain,The Tin-Man who wanted to get a heart and The Lion who wanted to get courage. They joined Dorothy in her adventure towards the Wizard. In the end Dorothy woke up back home and understood that it was all a dream and that all these characters she dreamed of were part of her real-life.


The movie was directed by Victor Fleming. The movie has several scenes where the concept design of the environment is really noticeable in alot of details. 


The beginning of the movie starts in a black and white genre. Sepia tone to be exact. The first half-hour of Oz is not only colorless but melodramatic,which was used to show the life in Kansas. Then the tornado delivers Dorothy from her poor, colorless family to a colourful and magical world. After she returns back home,she understands that no matter how colourless her home is "There's no place like home". 





"Judy Garland makes a delightful Dorothy as she wanders through Oz until she realizes that all the wonderment in the world can be had in her own back yard ... The Wizard of Oz is an amusing and spectacular film."
The New York Herald Tribune, 1939



The colourless beginning at the farm in Kansas.



The design and concepts are made well. Basically no special effects. Only powerful and dynamic decoration design and paintings. Although the viewer can see where the yellow brick road ends and sees that the flying pink bubble isn't made with proper quality,the fact is still that the viewer doesn't mind these details cause the mind does it work rendering these "outlines". All the decorations fit the story and the atmosphere. The colourful town of the Munchkins,the flower field before the Castle of Oz,the forest and castle of the Witch. The town of the Munchkins was done as a miniature town,colourful and positive. It was done to show contrast between Kansas,where Dorothy came from,and the new world she got herself in to. The field of flowers were done in colours of red and yellow,to show the power of the green and grand structure of the Castle of Oz on the background. The castle itself is straight forward to understand. It's green with all the people inside of it. The surrounding area of the Witch's castle is done in dark colours with the design of fright and creepy. Same can go for the castle itself. It's design in a medievil style. Dark,black,grey with torches and sharp design,unlike the castle of Oz.

The Wizard of Oz takes on a life in our head that it never quite attains on the screen. Because of the power of imagination, the film transcends the limitations of the techniques used to craft it.
                                                                                                                               - James Berardineli 

The flower field before the castle of Oz.

In conclusion,the title Wizard of Oz has continued to leave its mark through out years until now. A combination of childish imaginations about a magical world where everything is colourful and creativity of the production around this sci-fi and fantasy motion picture have created a film that is left as an unforgettable image in the back of our minds since childhood.

Enjoy it as both a magical fairytale and a delirious camp classic.


                                                                                                                          - The Sunday Times


2 komentarai:

  1. "The Wizard of Oz takes on a life in our head that it never quite attains on the screen. Because of the power of imagination, the film transcends the limitations of the techniques used to craft it."

    This is an absolute 'killer' quote, Dmitrij - it's absolutely true and perfectly captures the enduring appeal of the movie. Even as I write this, I can close my eyes and still see images from the film as if the film is playing in front of me.

    A good, solid review :-)

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