My take: The Wizard of Oz (70th Anniversary Collector's Edition)

HD Goofnut · 10-03-2009, 09:15 PM

Title: The Wizard of Oz
2 BD-50 Dual Layer Discs, 1 DVD, and a Digital Copy
Video: 1080p/VC-1
Audio: 5.1 Dolby TrueHD
Aspect Ratio: 1:37:1
Subtitles: Many languages
Run time: 102 minutes
Studio: Warner Home Entertainment
Rating: G
Region Coding: Region Free
Player used for review: LG BH200

Cast/Crew Info:
Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale
Frank Morgan as Professor Marvel / The Gatekeeper / The Carriage Driver / The Guard Who Cries / The Wizard of Oz
Ray Bolger as Hunk / The Scarecrow
Bert Lahr as Zeke / The Cowardly Lion
Jack Haley as Hickory / The Tin Man
Billie Burke as Glinda
Margaret Hamilton as Elmira Gulch / The Wicked Witch of the West / The Wicked Witch of the East
Charley Grapewin as Uncle Henry
Clara Blandick as Auntie Em
Directed by Victor Fleming

My take: (the breakdown)

Everyone has seen The Wizard of Oz and if you haven't there has never been a better time. The did film receive a remaster back in 2005, the last time it was released on DVD. However, Warner has gone back to the original master of the film and remastered the original negative once again to create a new 8K transfer. They then took that 8K transfer to make a 4K transfer for this Blu-ray release so it is obvious that the film has never looked better since its theatrical debut 70 years ago. The story of course follows Dorothy Gail as she is haphazardly stuck in a tornado in her Kansas farm home only to be knocked unconscious. She is then whisked away to the land of Oz where she must find the Wizard so that she can return home. On the way she encounters some friendly characters and ends up helping them in the process. Filled with delightful characters and a wonderful story this should definitely belong in everyone's movie library.

The time and effort put into this film really shows. Accurately preserved in the film's 1:37:1 aspect ratio this Blu-ray presentation really shines in every aspect. The sepia sections of the movie are extremely clear and grain is extremely consistent and not overly distracting. The color scenes really show what into this restoration process though and Warner should be proud. Colors leap off the screen and are vibrant as ever. The best part is that the film has been subjugated to DNR or edge enhancement. Other than some minor speckles I couldn't find anything wrong with this masterpiece.

We are given a 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track, which sounds absolutely great. Dialogue is easily understood through the entire run time and it is prioritized nicely. The surrounds and sub are used quite often for the musical scenes and for other discrete effects. There are a few times when the musical score suffers in fidelity, but it's not terribly noticeable and I am sure it is attributed to age.

This is a no-brainer with the amount of supplements involved. Besides the movie and some extras on disc, there's a second 50 GB disc full of extras, a DVD documentary on a third, and a digital copy on a 4th disc. This is exactly the way a classic should be treated in regards to supplements. Everything is in 480, but given the age of the release that is totally understandable.

Movie: 9.5/10
VQ: 9.5/10
AQ: 9/10
Supplements: 10/10
Final word: A Must Own

As always thanks for reading folks.

**bruceames** · 10-03-2009, 10:06 PM

I told myself that it was too expensive, but finally cracked and bought it at Target (not the Target version, but the UCE one), from reading the glowing reviews. Nice review, and I agree it's a must own. It looks fantastic.

HD Goofnut · 10-03-2009, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceames

I told myself that it was too expensive, but finally cracked and bought it at Target (not the Target version, but the UCE one), from reading the glowing reviews. Nice review, and I agree it's a must own. It looks fantastic.

Thanks Bruce.Wal-Mart had the single disc with the movie and just a few extras for $19.96, but I figured for all the stuff you get for $30 more I felt that the Collector's set was a much better deal.

ack_bak · 10-04-2009, 03:42 PM

After much debate I picked up the single disc version from Walmart after I realized that Netflix offfers supplements such as When The Lion Roars via their queue.

I agree with the review. This movie has never looked or sounded better on home video. A must see.

gossamer · 10-04-2009, 07:56 PM

I have the LaserDisc and the last DVD (3-disc CE). I'm tempted as hell.

HD Goofnut · 10-04-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gossamer

I have the LaserDisc and the last DVD (3-disc CE). I'm tempted as hell.

Well, Best Buy is selling the set for $54.99 and Wal-Mart for $51.86. I got Best Buy to price match Wal-Mart for me when I bought it on Tuesday. Saving a few bucks is better than saving none at all.

jay-jay · 10-05-2009, 07:48 AM

I too got the blu-ray set. I've got a question about how to access the 5.1 digital soundtrack Most disc manufacturers give you a selection that you can click on. Warners give you an audio button. How does this work-I can't figure it out.

**bruceames** · 10-05-2009, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay-jay

I too got the blu-ray set. I've got a question about how to access the 5.1 digital soundtrack Most disc manufacturers give you a selection that you can click on. Warners give you an audio button. How does this work-I can't figure it out.

English 5.1 is the default soundtrack, so you don't need to select it as the movie plays automatically with the 5.1 soundtrack when you put the disc in.

Chris Gerhard · 10-08-2009, 06:35 AM

I wasn't going to buy this and wasn't going to read any reviews to help me meet that goal. It sounds like Warner has done a great job here.

Chris

HD Goofnut · 10-08-2009, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Gerhard

I wasn't going to buy this and wasn't going to read any reviews to help me meet that goal. It sounds like Warner has done a great job here.

Chris

Considering this set can still be had for $50 this is one of the best Blu-ray deals that Warner has put together in regards to classics. If you want to save some money though I would pick up the slimmed down version at Wal-Mart for $19.96, but good luck finding it as my Wal-Mart sold out in two days.

tvine2000 · 10-08-2009, 08:21 AM

i picked up the single disc. this is what blu-ray could look like if all studios put this kind of effort in catalog titles. hint: paramount .

Bravestime · 10-08-2009, 09:07 PM

For a 70 year old movie Warner did an excellant job on this movie. I wish all the studios would have done the same with all the great classics that have already come out and future releases. If they did, it could really boost consumers to buy into Blu-ray and increase blu-ray sales.

I do hate the package is so large, but hell this movie is a top classic. Such a well done movie. I'm definitely glad I bought this package.

oblioman · 10-09-2009, 09:20 PM

Picked it up today,,watched it today,,,had a tear of reminiscing in me eye today. Fantastic job all around on this BD. Have probably seen the movie over 50-60 times,,,first me can remember was in the very early sixties. The technology alone on making this movie was very cutting edge at the time, one can equate it with Star wars in the 70's. To have it on BD,,,every bit worth the money.

Chamillitary · 10-09-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

Thanks Bruce.Wal-Mart had the single disc with the movie and just a few extras for $19.96,

but I figured for all the stuff you get for $30 more I felt that the Collector's set was a much better deal.

Agreed. I think I'll pick up the Collector's as well. I do have the regular version as well though. haha

Chris Gerhard · 10-11-2009, 07:43 AM

I went to Wal-Mart and the title was sold out. In fact there were a lot of empty slots for Blu-ray titles which makes me believe inventory carried isn't great for each title. I asked a sales person and he knew immediately it was sold out so I believe I wasn't the first to ask.

Chris

10-03-2009, 09:15 PM	#1
HD Goofnut Official HDF BD Reviewer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mississippi, U.S.A. Your resident Dune, Star Wars, and war film expert Posts: 9,232	My take: The Wizard of Oz (70th Anniversary Collector's Edition) Title: The Wizard of Oz 2 BD-50 Dual Layer Discs, 1 DVD, and a Digital Copy Video: 1080p/VC-1 Audio: 5.1 Dolby TrueHD Aspect Ratio: 1:37:1 Subtitles: Many languages Run time: 102 minutes Studio: Warner Home Entertainment Rating: G Region Coding: Region Free Player used for review: LG BH200 Cast/Crew Info: Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale Frank Morgan as Professor Marvel / The Gatekeeper / The Carriage Driver / The Guard Who Cries / The Wizard of Oz Ray Bolger as Hunk / The Scarecrow Bert Lahr as Zeke / The Cowardly Lion Jack Haley as Hickory / The Tin Man Billie Burke as Glinda Margaret Hamilton as Elmira Gulch / The Wicked Witch of the West / The Wicked Witch of the East Charley Grapewin as Uncle Henry Clara Blandick as Auntie Em Directed by Victor Fleming My take: (the breakdown) Everyone has seen The Wizard of Oz and if you haven't there has never been a better time. The did film receive a remaster back in 2005, the last time it was released on DVD. However, Warner has gone back to the original master of the film and remastered the original negative once again to create a new 8K transfer. They then took that 8K transfer to make a 4K transfer for this Blu-ray release so it is obvious that the film has never looked better since its theatrical debut 70 years ago. The story of course follows Dorothy Gail as she is haphazardly stuck in a tornado in her Kansas farm home only to be knocked unconscious. She is then whisked away to the land of Oz where she must find the Wizard so that she can return home. On the way she encounters some friendly characters and ends up helping them in the process. Filled with delightful characters and a wonderful story this should definitely belong in everyone's movie library. The time and effort put into this film really shows. Accurately preserved in the film's 1:37:1 aspect ratio this Blu-ray presentation really shines in every aspect. The sepia sections of the movie are extremely clear and grain is extremely consistent and not overly distracting. The color scenes really show what into this restoration process though and Warner should be proud. Colors leap off the screen and are vibrant as ever. The best part is that the film has been subjugated to DNR or edge enhancement. Other than some minor speckles I couldn't find anything wrong with this masterpiece. We are given a 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track, which sounds absolutely great. Dialogue is easily understood through the entire run time and it is prioritized nicely. The surrounds and sub are used quite often for the musical scenes and for other discrete effects. There are a few times when the musical score suffers in fidelity, but it's not terribly noticeable and I am sure it is attributed to age. This is a no-brainer with the amount of supplements involved. Besides the movie and some extras on disc, there's a second 50 GB disc full of extras, a DVD documentary on a third, and a digital copy on a 4th disc. This is exactly the way a classic should be treated in regards to supplements. Everything is in 480, but given the age of the release that is totally understandable. Movie: 9.5/10 VQ: 9.5/10 AQ: 9/10 Supplements: 10/10 Final word: A Must Own As always thanks for reading folks. __________________ Displays: BenQ MP512ST, Sharp LC-46SB57UN 46" 120 Hz, Sanyo DP46848 46" 60Hz, HP 21.5" 60Hz Monitor Receiver: Onkyo TX-NR709 7.1 Speaker System: Onkyo SKS-HT540 Blu-ray Players: ASUS External PC Drive, LG BH200 Super Blu, Sony Blu-ray Burner PC Drive, Sony 40 GB PS3, Vizio VBR220 My BD, DVD, & HD DVD Collection Latest BD Review: *We Bought a Zoo*

10-04-2009, 07:56 PM	#5
gossamer 50 is the new 42 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Da Boogie-down Bronx Posts: 588	I have the LaserDisc and the last DVD (3-disc CE). I'm tempted as hell. __________________ Living Room: Panasonic TH-50PZ700U Plasma Scientific-Atlanta SA8300HD DVR Sony PlayStation 3 80GB Toshiba HD-A2 HD DVD Apple Mac mini, 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo Onkyo TX-SR706 Receiver Paradigm Cinema 110 Speaker System Pioneer CLD-3070 LaserDisc Player Quasar VHQ760 VCR Bedroom: Panasonic TC-L32X1 32-inch LCD Scientific-Atlanta SA4250HD DVR Plus Panasonic DMP-BD30K Blu-ray Panasonic DMRES15 DVD Recorder JVC HR-S8000U S-VHS

10-08-2009, 08:21 AM	#11
tvine2000 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: vermont Age: 62 Posts: 1,194	i picked up the single disc. this is what blu-ray could look like if all studios put this kind of effort in catalog titles. hint: paramount . Last edited by tvine2000; 10-08-2009 at 08:39 AM.

10-08-2009, 09:07 PM	#12
Bravestime Supporter of HiDef Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Aiken, SC Age: 55 Posts: 4,510	For a 70 year old movie Warner did an excellant job on this movie. I wish all the studios would have done the same with all the great classics that have already come out and future releases. If they did, it could really boost consumers to buy into Blu-ray and increase blu-ray sales. I do hate the package is so large, but hell this movie is a top classic. Such a well done movie. I'm definitely glad I bought this package. __________________ Life is Short, Watch a Movie

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10-03-2009, 10:06 PM	#2
bruceames Super Moderator Join Date: May 2006 Location: Novato, CA Posts: 13,826	I told myself that it was too expensive, but finally cracked and bought it at Target (not the Target version, but the UCE one), from reading the glowing reviews. Nice review, and I agree it's a must own. It looks fantastic.

10-04-2009, 03:42 PM	#4
ack_bak Hidef Junkie Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,493	After much debate I picked up the single disc version from Walmart after I realized that Netflix offfers supplements such as When The Lion Roars via their queue. I agree with the review. This movie has never looked or sounded better on home video. A must see.

10-05-2009, 07:48 AM	#7
jay-jay How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 16	I too got the blu-ray set. I've got a question about how to access the 5.1 digital soundtrack Most disc manufacturers give you a selection that you can click on. Warners give you an audio button. How does this work-I can't figure it out.

10-08-2009, 06:35 AM	#9
Chris Gerhard High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 10,580	I wasn't going to buy this and wasn't going to read any reviews to help me meet that goal. It sounds like Warner has done a great job here. Chris

10-09-2009, 09:20 PM	#13
oblioman Every day is Friday Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Hooooterville Posts: 9,053	Picked it up today,,watched it today,,,had a tear of reminiscing in me eye today. Fantastic job all around on this BD. Have probably seen the movie over 50-60 times,,,first me can remember was in the very early sixties. The technology alone on making this movie was very cutting edge at the time, one can equate it with Star wars in the 70's. To have it on BD,,,every bit worth the money.

10-11-2009, 07:43 AM	#15
Chris Gerhard High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 10,580	I went to Wal-Mart and the title was sold out. In fact there were a lot of empty slots for Blu-ray titles which makes me believe inventory carried isn't great for each title. I asked a sales person and he knew immediately it was sold out so I believe I wasn't the first to ask. Chris