The Wizard of Oz: 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition – Blu-ray Box Set Review

Wizard

It’s here! The most technologically innovative, comprehensive, and penultimate version of the 1939 MGM classic The Wizard of Oz has arrived on Blu-ray. These limited edition (only 243,000 boxes were produced) collector’s boxes are loaded with special features, special collector’s items, and an amazing array of silent films.

Now, most people have seen The Wizard of Oz at least once in their lifetime. Whether you’ve seen it on VHS, DVD, or on TV, this classic film looks so amazing and fresh on Blu-ray that I can’t recommend it enough. It really is like seeing the movie for the first time because the remastered version enables you to see the movie with stunning detail and clarity. It’s absolutely stunning.

So, what’s in the box and inside the three disc Blu-ray set? Along with the remastered features, you get the following:

Disc 1

Audio Commentary by Historian John Fricke

Optional Music-and-Effects-Only or Original Mono Track

Dolby 5.1 Sing-Along Feature

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic

The Wonderful World of Oz Storybook, Read By Angela Lansbury (Murder She Wrote)

Prettier Than Ever: The Restoration of Oz

We Haven’t Really Met Properly…Supporting Cast Profile Gallery

Memories of Oz

The Art of Imagination: A Tribute to Oz

Because of the Wonderful Things He Does: The Legacy of Oz

Harold Arlen’s Home Movies

Home movies from the set of The Wizard of Oz.

Outtakes and Deleted Scenes

It’s a Twister! It’s a Twister! The Tornado Tests

Stills Gallery

Theatrical Trailer Gallery

Disc 2

Victor Fleming: Master Craftsman

L. Frank Baum: The Man Behind the Curtain

Hollywood Celebrates It’s Biggest Little Stars!

A salute to the actors and actresses who played the Munchkins.

The Dreamer of Oz (1990)

An excellent biopic about the life of L. Frank Baum starring John Ritter, Rue McClanahan, and Annette O’Toole.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1910)

The Wizard of Oz (1933)

His Majesty, The Scarecrow of Oz (1914)

The Patchwork Girl of Oz (1914)

The Wizard of Oz (1925)

Disc 3

MGM: When the Lion Roars

A 6 hour documentary that chronicles the history of one of Hollywood’s studio giants. Oddly enough, it’s presented here on DVD.

Inside the box, you get the following:

A full-color hardcover book The Wizard of Oz: Behind the Curtain of Production 1060.

The Complete Campaign Book for The Wizard of Oz

A comprehensive look at the $250,000 ad campaign used to publicize the movie. Includes newspaper articles, publicity photos, and tons of other cool stuff.

A copy of the estimated budget for the film from 1939.

A Digital Copy of the movie.

And a cool Wizard of Oz watch with a emerald colored band that comes in a nifty tin box!

For the die-hard Wizard of Oz fan, I cannot recommend this box set enough. If you don’t have a Blu-ray player, there’s also a two disc DVD with similar features. (The DVD version is remastered but not to the depth and detail that Blu-ray can reach.) So, if you’re ready to experience The Wizard of Oz in a whole new way, check out The Wizard of Oz: 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition on Blu-ray!

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.