Il mago di Oz

I don't think it holds a candle to the timeless classic that is the 1939 film with Judy Garland, however it deserves to stand on its own and that's how I'm going to judge it now. I have to say I really like this animated version, and I have to say if there is anything that is superior over the 1939 film it is that it is closer to the book, there are a few changes but in spirit this version is very faithful. And the story itself is just charming, never dull and will appeal to children and adults I think. The animation may have some stiff character movements but the backgrounds and colours are very pretty. The score is great, the mix of light jazz and contemporary music is interesting and beautifully composed while never jarring, and the songs are very sweet without falling into the trap of being saccharine. The dialogue has its choppy moments and the lip-synching is sloppy but there are still some heartwarming and funny moments too. The characters live long in the memory, Dorothy is a very endearing protagonist, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion are amusing in their own right and the Wicked Witch of the West is appropriately sinister while not being overly so. The voice acting is generally very good, and the dub for an 80s dub is actually not bad at all.

Sure, Thick Wilson doesn't come across as cowardly enough and Lorne Greene is far too detached. However, Billy Van is a very charming Scarecrow while Elizabeth Hanna is dead-on, right from the cackling of the Witched Witch, whose role is small but still significant(Hanna really sounds like she's relishing every moment), to the benevolence of the Good Witch of the North. John Stocker appeals also as the Tin Man, almost melancholic and caring when he needs to be. But the best of the voice cast is easily Aileen Quinn- I happen actually to be a fan of Annie and her performance in it. She is simply adorable and puts a lot of spirit into a role that could be potentially vapid, and her singing voice is really extraordinary and very powerful. From experience with teaching primary school children singing for half-a-year to get some experience for studying singing at Birmingham, I will say that few people her age sing the way Quinn does, not everybody will like her voice but I find it unique and beautiful.

Overall, a very well-done, entertaining and charming film, not the best version but fans of the book will be satisfied I think. 7.5/10 Bethany Cox

This is one of the best screen adaptions of the "Wizard of Oz" tale I've seen. The story in this movie stays a lot closer to the novel than the Garland musical (which I love very much, don't get me wrong).

The plot, as always, is the same: young Dorothy and her dog Toto get whisked away in a tornado to the magical Land of Oz and has to journey to see the mysterious Wizard, who lives in the Emerald City. Along the way she meets the Scarcrow, who wants a brain, the Tin Man, who wants a heart, and the Cowardly Lion who desperately wants some courage. The trouble is the Wizard won't grant any of their wishes until they defeat the Wicked Witch of the West for him.

The animation in this movie, while not spectacular, seems to be fitting and it looks a bit like anime sometimes.

This movie has some great songs. Sadly I don't know the names of the songs, and even worse I don't think they've ever been released on any sort of soundtrack but they are brilliant and Aileen Quinn's voice and song work in this movie is AMAZING. Her talent is worth seeing the movie for alone!

Kids will love this. I saw this movie for the first time as a 5 year old and it captured me from the start. It can be a bit scary but it shouldn't be missed. 9/10!

As a fan of the original book i recommend this film. I'm not a big fan of the character art work but its great to see sections of the book explored that are ignored in the 1939 movie.

The film takes on a pleasing dark tone in all the right places and can create quite an atmosphere. especially in the witch's castle. i love they way she is animated

annoyingly they have given Dorothy red shoes although they only refer to them as magic slippers, the actual design (with curly up toes) is pleasing but i wish they were silver.

Also the munchkin houses are drawn much in the same way as in the JR Neil drawings and the munchkins themselves resemble the Denslow originals.

This movie may not be the greatest quality you will find in cartoons, but to me it's a gem! I watched this movie for the first time when I was 3 or 4, and continued to watch it about once every two months until I was about 9. After losing track of it for thirteen years I finally found a copy and watched it again. I have to say, even now when I am "all grown up" I still find this movie charming! I would recommend this movie to any parent with small kids. As a child, I remember being very excited by all the magic and mystery - and of course the excitement of fighting the Wicked Witch of the West. And of course there's a lot about friendship and loyalty in the story. If you want to get your kid really into fantasy/adventure stories, this version of Wizard of Oz is a good investment. Copies are hard to find nowadays because it's a very obscure, little-known cartoon, but they do exist. Personally, I'm going to try to keep my VHS copy in reasonably good condition until I have kids of my own in a few years!

I am 38 years old and I have never forgotten this version. I am from the UsA but when I lived in Germany at the age of 3 and up I would faithfully watch this movie. I remember being so scared of the Flying Monkeys. It truly was a dark scary scene. Japanese Animation in the 80s is something to behold. This movie I used to pop in my VcR and watch but today I have managed to find it on youtube. If you have young children I would 100 percent put this on for them. It stands the test of time. The voice Actors are so good in this. The Bad Witch is so bad! The good Witxh is so pretty. Toto is the cutest lil doggie. Watch it. You won't regret.