HTF BLU-RAY REVIEW: The Wizard of Oz: 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition

Per the review, NONE of the extras are in HD, and I already own most of them (some several times over) from prior releases.  Given this is, what, the FIFTH release of the movie since 1997, I won't have to wait long.  There are LOTS of opportunities to improve on this package.

I second that.  Great review!

This thread helped me solve an extremely stupid mistake I made. I ordered what I thought was the blu-ray set from Amazon last week. I did it quickly and did not pay as much attention as I should.

When it arrived today, I found that I had ordered the DVD version of the set. I found that out once the set was opened, rendering it not returnable unless it was defective in some fashion.

Visions of having to rebuy this expensive set (and maybe sell or give away the DVD set) to get the blu ray flashed through my mind. Then I remember reading about the non box set editions at Target and Wal-Mart (wal-mart especially for $19.99).

Also realizing the rest of the extras were standard def and I already have When The Lion Roars recorded from TCM or I can netlfix it I would be able to fix my mistake with $20.

So I got the Wal-mart release(last copy on the shelf). Horray for Wal-Mart (ducking!)

If I had known about the availability of the Target and Wal-Mart scaled down releases before I ordered, I might've just went for them without the set but I happen to like the book and campagn book repro and if I was a little more observant I could've gotten what I wanted for 51.00, instead of the $65.00 it turned out to be ($45 for the DVD set and $20 for the single blu-ray).

Quoting from the review:   The Patchwork Girl of Oz (1914) - is another vintage silent "Oz" feature, previously thought to be lost.

Many of us "found" it nearly a decade ago, in 2001, as it is part of the Image Entertainment's (now OOP) 3 dvd set entitled "Origins of Film".  That print has far less detail and tonal range, but does not suffer from the scratchiness of the new transfer.  There's a substantial difference in the running time, but it's probably due to a faster projection speed (in the WB).  Unfortunately, there is no musical accompaniment at all for WB's version....Image's set has a wonderful piano score by Philip Carli. 

My understanding was that previous releases were incomplete, and that this was the first release of an editorially intact version on video.

Edited by Ken_McAlinden - 10/5/09 at 5:32am

I believe that is for His Majesty, The Scarecrow of Oz.

Great review and a really great set!

I'm torn too about this set or the 3 disc set from Target. I am interested in the MGM documentary, When the Lion Roared that's included in the big set and I understand it was once sold as a release onto itself. So for the $35 price of the Target set and the $20 or so price of the MGM doc, you get the price of this set! Plus the sundries all in one package.

The MGM:When the Lion Roars documentary is the third disc in the Target set.

Lion Roars will also be an extra on the GWTW BD set in November. 

Thanks guys for the clarity! I didn't read the specs closely enough for the Emerald Edition and GWTW is another option! This UCE is a really nice set! The book sounds like a really nice extra!

I had a similar opinion when I saw this in the theatres with a true technicolor imbibed print back in '97(?). The image and colors were so gorgeous, it puts any modern print to shame. It was truly amazing. The colors were so vivid, the image was almost 3-D in appearance. The downside is that you could see everything including the obviously fake set. But, I suspect it was fairly obvious even in 1939. Most films in those days were entirely shot on soundstages.

Interesting enough, even the original DVD was detailed enough that I was able to easily see the trap door in Munchkinland for the first time. Oh, how the times have changed with special effects over the years.