Educational Media Reviews Online

This film explores the impact L. Frank Baum’s classic novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has had in the United States and around the world. The film is organized around the book itself, following the story through narration and specially created film clips illustrating various events in the story. The film also explores the differences between the book and the famous movie starring Judy Garland, comparing and contrasting various scenes. As the story progresses, commentators enter to highlight points and provide transitions. The commentators vary from clear experts to more casual observers. Michael Patrick Hearn, the author of The Annotated Wizard of Oz, provides a solid authoritative view as does author Ray Bradbury and Baum’s great-granddaughter. Other commentators speak eloquently even when their expertise is less clear, as is the case with motion picture director Martha Coolidge.

The film veers quite often from the storyline into sidelines that are sometimes illuminating and at other times distracting. Details about Baum’s life, particularly the years before he wrote the first Oz book, add to the viewer’s understanding of the novels. Tangents dealing with a film director’s collection of Oz-related merchandise and a performance artist’s creation of a “real” Emerald City are interesting but seem to detract from the main thrust of the film. The film is well-paced, though, and most viewers won’t mind the meandering.

Ultimately, while this film is not high literary or social criticism, it is interesting and engaging. It can be used successfully in high school and college classes and would also be of interest to recreational viewers. Those who haven’t read the books will be encouraged to give them a try, and those who have read them will be encouraged to revisit and think more about them. Recommended.