Search - The Wizard of Oz (Golden Films) on DVD

Baum's Book in 26 Minutes

chuxdigital | Raleigh, NC USA | 04/18/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I'm always anxious to see any kind of film version of the Oz stories because I love Baum's books. The problem is the film creators usually ditch the details of the Baum books and go for an overall look and feel of the famous MGM version of the "Wizard of Oz". Maybe they think it's what audiences want or maybe it will be more sucessful or whatever.Goodtimes Entertainment just released this DVD of "Wizard of Oz" which is animated and runs 26 minutes. It's the 1991, Golden Films/South Korean co-production directed by Jim Simon. It was previously only available on VHS and I never got the chance to see it so i was excited to find this little jewel at the video store.I'm impressed at how much from the Baum book is in there: the Silver Shoes (not Ruby); the Good Witch of the North (not Glenda) and her kiss of protection; the story of the Wicked Witch of the East putting a spell on the Tin Woodsman; the Kalidahs; the Wicked Witch of the West NOT following them throughout their journey; the Winged Monkeys and the Golden Cap. I'd give this movie five stars since they were able to include those things AND the classic parts of the story... all within 26 minutes.... I'd rate it five stars IF it weren't for the poor animation (which is very jumpy at times), and the fact that the main lessons of the story aren't really conveyed throughout. For example, the Scarecrow is portrayed as genuinely stupid and the Lion doesn't really do much that's courageous yet at the end we're told that they had BRAINS and COURAGE all along and didn't realize it. Also, there's nothing particularly grand about the Emerald City or the Wizard. For those reasons, I'd give it only one star... so I'll average the two scores for a final THREE STARS.This DVD is definitely worth a view... especially at $5.95!"

Hmph!! I expected BETTER!! From Video to DVD

Sam A. Milazzo | Sydney, N.S.W Australia | 07/03/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This 1991 animated less-than-30 mins adaptation, which was previously available on video (which I have reviewed, and is the only DECENT review, as all the others stupidly mistake this to be MGM!!), is now in my Oz DVD collection, replacing the video I had for a while until I gave it away. It may be on DVD now, but it doesn't improve how bad the animation is - the interaction between Dorothy's dress and her legs is just TERRIBLE (sometimes she looks like a skinny-as-a-stick boy in a dress with bad make-up)!! Not to mention how terrible her voice is when she's on the journey or sad, or worried or whatever - a STUPID imitation of Judy Garland, and not sounding young or good at all. And Toto's so ANNOYING, he's Stupid! He jumps out into the cellar during the tornado, his bark and design are horrid, he jumps out of Dorothy's arms for NO REAL REASON during the Wizard's balloon - no cat (and Dorothy just stands around as it rises up).
Also, another review says that the Lion doesn't do anything brave - that's not true: He does carry his friends over the ditch before the Kalidahs appear and he scares away the Winkies when they have to kill the Witch. It is only after the Wizard leaves that Scarecrow thinks of some smart things. And it is good to see how Dorothy confronts/stands up to the Wizard when they see him both times.
I am glad how this animation is closer to the book, but I just HATE how the production company *idiotically* thought to imitate most of MGM's voices and appearances when actually they're following the book - Thankfully very little actually looks like MGM (no green skinned or pink dressed witches). Also, why does the DVD cover change the appearance/colours of Dorothy (height, face, shoes & dress) and make everything else look better than it actually does/n't? Scarecrow looks a bit like Michael Jackson, and Lion looks more like a Bear with a crown on top of lots of hair. This animation also has a bit of resemblance to the 1982 Toho (Aileen Quinn) Anime in the appearance of the Witch's castle on top of a tall mountain and incorrectly saying 'Kalidahs' as "Calidaz" (WRONG!!!!!!).
Whereas the previous Video did not have "The" in the opening title, here on the DVD it appears. It's too bad how there is no cast and crew listing anywhere (for some reason).
It just so happens that with the animation company's adaptation of 'Alice in Wonderland' (I saw the video at 'Dr. What' in Bondi), that version goes for 47 minutes!
You can get this DVD if you like, but there are other Oz Films that are more faithful to the original story (and Much more Better MADE!) than this, like the 1987 TV-Series cut-into Movie and the 1982 anime (which I hope comes onto *DECENT* DVD soon too). If you do decide to get this DVD, be prepared to find a replacement and a back-up plan in case you decide you don't want it after all."

The (Cute) CliffsNotes Version

Farffleblex Plaffington | Parnybarnel, Mississippi | 11/16/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Too many people will probably dismiss this as a cheap knock-off, a quick cash-in. Heck, the production company is "American Film Investment Corporation", which only supports those notions. Who is going to say, "Hey, American Film Investment Corporation, I bet this is some great art"? AFIC was also known as "Golden Films", but the credits here announce AFIC in bold letters instead. (Note: this is the version originally released in 1991.)

But it would be a mistake to dismiss this so easily. Because although this version of Wizard of Oz isn't some overlooked masterpiece, it's very well done for a budget, abbreviated, animated version of the story, which should provide enjoyment for huge fans of either The Wizard of Oz or animation in general.

The animation style is closest to traditional American Saturday morning cartoon fare. That might turn some people off, but it's the style of programs like Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (1969), The Jetsons (1962) and The Flintstones (1960), and I absolutely love all of those (especially Scooby-Doo), partially because of the animation, even though that style was determined more because of budget restrictions than for any artistic reason.

A great job was done in finding voice actors who closely resemble the actors from the famous 1939 version of The Wizard of Oz. It may seem initially odd that this decision was made, but it wasn't a bad idea, as this AFIC version is obviously akin to a CliffsNotes rendition of the 1939 film--although it has some significant commonalities with the original book that will please purists.

While no one should substitute this for the 1939 film (and I don't think it's a good idea to do that with kids, either), I found myself far more enamored with it than I expected--you might too if you're not too much of a sourpuss."