Blu-Ray Spotlight: The Wizard of Oz

Wizard of Oz (4K Ultra HD + Blu-Ray + Digital)

About the release:
1939’s acclaimed and beloved classic The Wizard of Oz will be released on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital on October 29th. .

Adapted from L. Frank Baum’s timeless children’s tale about a Kansas girl’s journey over the rainbow, The Wizard of Oz officially premiered at Grauman’s Chinese Theater on August 15, 1939. The film was directed by Victor Fleming (who that same year directed Gone With the Wind), produced by Mervyn LeRoy, and scored by Herbert Stothart, with music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg. Ray Bolger appeared as the Scarecrow; Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion, Jack Haley as the Tin Woodman. Frank Morgan was seen in six different roles, including that of the “wonderful Wizard” himself. Dorothy was portrayed by a 4’11” sixteen year old girl who quickly earned her reputation as “the world’s greatest entertainer”– the incomparable Judy Garland.

The Wizard of Oz will be available on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack for $41.99 SRP and features an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc with the feature film in 4K with HDR and a Blu-ray disc of The Wizard of Oz. Fans can also own The Wizard of Oz in 4K Ultra HD via purchase from select digital retailers beginning on October 29th.

Additionally, moviegoers will be able to experience the magic of The Wizard of Oz like never before, remastered in Dolby Vision with incredible color and brightness, exclusively at select Dolby Cinema locations from October 25 to October 31.

Review:
This is a really fun release. There are a ton of extras I hadn’t seen before. I really enjoyed “the Making of.” And the 4K quality is better than I thought possible on my large TV. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever even seen it on such a large screen. This is a fantastic version of a beloved family classic. It’s a great story for all ages. I can’t believe I haven’t owned this film before, despite watching it numerous times.

Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Elements:
The Wizard of Oz Ultra HD Blu-ray contains the following previously released special features:
• Commentary by John Fricke with Barbara Freed-Saltzman, Margaret Hamilton, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, John Lahr, Jane Lahr, Hamilton Meserve, Dona Massin, William Tuttle, Buddy Ebsen, Mervyn LeRoy and Jerry Maren.
• 1990 CBS Special “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic.”

The Wizard of Oz Blu-ray contains the following previously released special features:
• Commentary- Commentary by John Fricke with Barbara Freed-Saltzman, Margaret Hamilton, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, John Lahr, Jane Lahr, Hamilton Meserve, Dona Massin, William Tuttle, Buddy Ebsen, Mervyn LeRoy and Jerry Maren
• The Making of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Storybook (narrated by Angela Lansbury)
• We Haven’t Really Met Properly…
– We Haven’t Really Met Properly: “Frank Morgan”
– We Haven’t Really Met Properly: “Ray Bolger”
– We Haven’t Really Met Properly: “Bert Lahr”
– We Haven’t Really Met Properly: “Jack Haley”
– We Haven’t Really Met Properly: “Billie Burke”
– We Haven’t Really Met Properly: “Margaret Hamilton”
– We Haven’t Really Met Properly: “Charley Grapewin”
– We Haven’t Really Met Properly: “Clara Blandick”
– We Haven’t Really Met Properly: “Terry”
• Music & Effects Track
• Original Mono Track
• Sing Along Tracks
• Audio Jukebox
• Leo is on the Air Radio Promo
• Good News of 1939 Radio Show
• 12/25/1950 Lux Radio Broadcast
• Stills Galleries
– Oz on Broadway
– Pre-MGM
– Sketches and Storyboards
– Richard Thorpe’s Oz
– Buddy Ebsen
– Oz Comes to Life
– Behind the Scenes
– Portraits
– Special Effects
– Post Production
– Deleted Scenes
– Original Publicity
– 8/15/1939 Hollywood Premiere
– 8/17/1939 New York Premiere
– 2/29/1940 Academy Awards® Ceremony
– Oz Abroad
– Oz Revivals
• Trailers