There is a film out there that is considered to be a timeless classic that many people have come to love over the years and it's one of my all time favorite films. The film is the 1939 classic, "The Wizard of Oz" and there are many things about this film that really does make it one of my personal favorites.
The main story of the film, of course, involves a girl named Dorothy who wishes she can go off to a better place rather than be stuck on the farm in Kansas with her family. All of a sudden, a huge tornado comes around and it picks up Dorothy's house with herself and her dog, Toto in it. The house lands in the magical land of Oz and Dorothy sets off on a journey down the yellow brick road to get back home.
She is trying to find the great and powerful Wizard of Oz so she can ask for his help to send her back home. Along the way, she meets a scarecrow who wants a brain, a tin man who wants a heart, and a lion who is in need of some courage. Dorothy also encounters a wicked witch who seeks revenge after her house lands on the witch's evil sister.
Music
The story may be simple, but there is so much more to the story than the simple plot says that it is. One thing that really stands out for this movie is all of the music that is played throughout the film. The Wizard of Oz is a musical movie, which means there is a good amount of singing and dancing that is done. There are so many songs that are sung in the film that are completely recognizable and are filled with lyrics that are easy for anyone to remember.
From the beautifully composed "Over the Rainbow" sung at the beginning by Judy Garland to the fun songs of the Munchkins. The variety of songs are one of the reasons why the movie is so recognizable and well known that people end up singing along to the songs whenever the film is shown.
Characters
Another thing that makes the movie very recognizable is the characters. Even though the descriptions of the characters seem very simple, the way the actors represent those characters on screen makes them more memorable. You can still see people dressing up as the scarecrow, tin man, cowardly lion, Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West for Halloween. If anyone were to ask me which character was my favorite from the film, I would definitely have say Dorothy.
Not only because she really does look like me, but I can relate to her, especially when I was younger. I always thought there was a better place that was suited for me and I wanted to go out there and see it for myself. Fun Fact: I played Dorothy in my sixth-grade production of the Wizard of Oz and I couldn't be happier to be playing that part. I'm sure that other people have one of their favorite characters in the film and that's what makes it a great film to watch.
Lessons
I think another factor that makes the film a classic is the lessons that the characters learn as they journey down the yellow brick road. A lesson that may seem subtle until the end of the movie is "you already have what it takes to succeed." The three characters that Dorothy meets on her way to the Emerald City as they wish for something that they lack.
The audience will begin to notice that they have what they were lacking right from the start. If you look inside yourself, you may be able to pull out the courage, kindness and intelligence you never knew you had. Another lesson that I realized after watching the film for the 15th millionth time recently is to treasure the friends that you meet. Dorothy really does accept the three friends that she meets and they each do whatever it takes to help Dorothy get back home.
They each have something to contribute to making them great friends to Dorothy and they are really caring and loyal to her. It goes to show that you should be accepting to those that you meet because they can make life more memorable to you.
The final lesson and the most memorable one that is mentioned mostly at the end of the film is, there is no place like home. Despite the fact that she ran away to find what she was looking for, Dorothy realizes that what she wants was in Kansas all along because it's the place where she was born and the people that she loves.
Quotes from Characters
One of my final points about the film that I think makes it a memorable one is some of the recognizable lines that the characters say. Some of the quotes that the characters say are on the list of most memorable lines in the movie. Some of those lines include "I'll get you my pretty, and your little dog too!" "There's no place like home." "Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." "I'm melting!" These are just a few of the quotes that people easily recognize, no matter who references it and where it is referenced.
Overall, "The Wizard of Oz" is a film that is loved and enjoyed by many people and is still being introduced to young audiences of today. I remember first watching it when I was about seven years old and I fell in love with it right when Judy Garland starting singing "Over the Rainbow." Ever since I've seen the film probably over 500 million times and I can pretty much sing every song, quote every line and know a lot of fun facts about the making of the movie. I know that people also enjoy the movie as much as me and it has become a huge legacy ever since its release. I hope that the legacy of this film continues to live on and that it continues to please audiences across the nation.
