Customer Reviews

The Wizard of Oz [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Not to be confused with the 1939 classic with Judy Garland, this Anime adaptation of L. Frank Baum's masterpiece, THE WIZARD OF OZ was made in 1982 by Toho and directed by Fumihiko Takayama. Interesting fact: in Japan, it runs at 60 minutes, while in the U.S. it clocks in around 79! It also follows the first book more closely than the 1939 classic did; e.g. when the Wizard appears before the individual companions, he's in a different form (a disembodied head, an angelic woman, a rhino/triceratops creature, and a blazing inferno) and the Witch sends her wolves and crows BEFORE her flying monkeys capture Dorothy and her comrades, etc.

I videotaped this off the Disney Channel several years ago, but have since obtained an official video copy (thanks to winning another EBAY auction). Of course, it's dub only, so I am unable to compare it to the subtitles (a petty price to pay, because I think it already scores in the accuracy department in being faithful to the original story, linewise and characterwise).

That said, for an early 80's dub, THE WIZARD OF OZ features some surprisingly good voice acting. The best voice in the dub belongs to Aileen Quinn (best known as the title character from ANNIE); her Dorothy is convincing, full of energy, and endearing. She also has a great singing voice (even if the adapted lyrics on the three songs are occasionally choppy). It's a shame she's not doing anymore films, much less dubs; Quinn showcases amazing talent for such a young age. The late Billy Van plays the Scarecrow, and while he doesn't replace Ray Bolger's legendary take on the supposedly brainless straw man (then again neither does the rest of the cast to their characters, but I'm not going to compare this dub unfavorably to the masterpiece we know and love) he manages to hit the right spot.

Those of you who may have watched most of Nelvana's TV shows, such as THE CARE BEARS and BABAR may recognize two of the voice actors from these two shows. John Stocker, the voice of the Tin Man (who, by the way, is quite good), is best known as Mr. Beastly from THE CARE BEARS as well as Zephir the Monkey from the theatrical release of BABAR. Elizabeth Hanna is best known, likewise, as the old lady from BABAR, and it is refreshing to hear her play a villain (or in this case, the Wicked Witch of the West); her cackling is dead-on and although she has a small part (unlike the 1939 version) Hanna makes the most of it. (She's also the voice of the Good Witch of the North and Auntie Em.)

There are only two actors who don't quite fare so well. First is the Cowardly Lion, played by Thick Wilson. Wilson has an appropriately gravel voice, and his acting isn't too bad, but he doesn't come off as much of a scaredy-cat (scaredy-lion?) as Bert Lahr did. Lorne Greene as the Wizard is the weakest of the cast; his performance is more detached and not as well done as the others.

Aside from that (and the rough lyrics from the songs), the only problems I noticed with this dub is the dialogue and lip synchronization. The script features some occasionally awkward-sounding lines, mostly due to lipflap purposes. The synchronization is not as bad as HI-TOPS' SWAN LAKE dub, but there are moments when the dialogue seems unmeshed with the mouth. However, given that this was a product of the early 1980's, this is best to be expected.

Even with its flaws, this dub of a classic story Anime-style isn't a horrible listen at all, as it's nowhere nearly as bad as the only real stinker I've heard from the 1980's, Streamline's distributed AKIRA.

The movie was released on video by Paramount several years ago, but is badly out of print. You can best find it on EBAY.

Speaking of the movie's artistic and aural merits, the animation is occasionally stiff, but the colors are pretty and the characters well drawn. One thing that needs mentioning is the music score by Joe Hisaishi (of Miyazaki fame) and Yuichiro Oda. It's an interesting mixture of light jazz and contemporary music; it fits well with the story (even if Harold Arlen's Oscar-winning score remains unmatched).

All in all, this now obscure Japanese animated adaptation of THE WIZARD OF OZ, although inferior to the 1939 classic, manages to be enjoyable on its own turf, despite its age.

When I was young I'd always rent his movie at Blockbuster. I'm suprised they didn't just give the movie to me because I rented it every Friday, and never got tired of it. The songs were stuck in my head 24/7 and I'd pretend that I was TOTO!For a few years they must have put it in the back room because I didn't see it on the shelf for atleast 3 years! My dad told me somebody probably never turned it in, or they put it on the bairgain table and sold it. But yesterday when I went in to rent "Cinderella 2" I saw they had the "For Sale" table up! I looked all over the table, and under "Zenon, Girl Of The 21st Century" was this edition of "The Wizard Of Oz"!!! I forgot all about "Cinderella 2" and went to the checkout line. I was soooo happy. The clerks thought I was ba~zookas, and one old lady asked if I felt OK!! It was like 8.99 so I paid joyfully. When I got home I ran upstairs (forgetting to shut the door) and watched! I remembered all the songs, and sound effects. This is probably more suitable for little kids than the Judy Garland version. The songs are wonderful! And what's more is Aileen Quinn (Annie!!) stars as Dorothy!! I totaly reccomend buing this, whether used or WHAT, you'll ABSOLUTLY love it!!

This cartoon was excellent! I really enjoyed it when I was younger, but unfortunetly, I haven't seen it for years and years.
I have wonderful memories, from this japanese anime cartoon, but only have small glimpes of the film in my mind...
Overall the cartoon was gorgeous. I haven't seen it anywhere...

This 1982 version of The Wizard of oz is very good. The story line is mostley based on the book. I found this movie at a grage sale and bought it for 50 cents. It was well worth it. Me and my brother watched it once and loved it. I think it is one of the greatest Oz cartoons ever made.

I first saw it when I was three.I was introduced to Oz by this cartoon.I enjoyed watching itover and over again.Its one of the greatest cartoons ever!

This cartoon was great, unfortunatly when I was 5 my VCR destroyed it. I am 12 now. the other week I was looking at Wizard of oz stuff. And I saw the animation version of The Wizard of Oz. I was soooooo happy! I payed for it with my money. And my mom did all the online stuff of course. I saw a package on the Kitchen counter on Friday. I opened it and it was it!!! I ran to the living room and watched it. I got about half way through it Then I went to school. The movie was in my mind all day I got home and finished it. I watch it every day now. I recomend this to anyone who see's it!!

I haven't seen this movie for a long time since I got it from the Wherehouse. My little brother and I have watched it and we both loved it. The songs are really great. You'll have them repeating over and over in your head. My favorite one is It's the Wizard of a Day. Also, I liked the messages that each of the forms of the Wizard gave to Dorothy's friends. They're really true.

when my sister and i where little we rented this movie any chance that we could get. i thought they would have made it on dvd. but they don't. i think they should its such a wonderful movie great songs that will stay with you for a long time. me and my sister still remember some of the songs. but can't really remember the movie so i hope that the people who make this movie read this and listen and get it though there heads and bring out on dvd. thanks.

This is really a great cartoon! I remember when I was little, this was one of the cartoon versions that my mother bought for me to add to my growing collection of OZ!
Years later after loosing it in a move, I knew I had to own it again because this is a great adaption of the classic book. There is a little reference to the MGM film. Dorothy has ruby slippers instead of silver, but that doesn't change the glorious storytelling. The art in the film is very Americanized Anime with the voices of "Annie" as Dorothy and a few well named stars. The whole scene with Dorothy and the confrontation with the witch is awesome and a little scary-but GREAT! Over-all this is a classic cartoon in my eyes! I very much enjoyed it and everything about it! A great film to show to you're kids! The wizard of Oz is colorful!

What an amazing animated feature film. I am 18 years old and having not long ago finished performing in 'The Wizard of Oz' Stage Play, and Reading & Watching the latest Broadway Musical WICKED (The "Prequel" and Untold Story of the Witches of Oz), I suddenly thought of looking for this video. My Sister and I used to watch this video OVER and OVER when we were both younger, but somewhere along the line this video was lost. I found it on Amazon.com out of pure chance! When it arrived a couple of days later I was so EXCITED. I put it straight in and remained glued for the entire duration. I was amazed at how much of the Story, The Sound Effects, Action and Music I could remember! Nearly all of it. What a brilliant film. I am also reading the Original Book by Baum at the moment and this feature remains more close to the Original Story than the 1939 Judy Garland Version.

This is a must for all youngsters, a great way to be introduced to the Wonderful Land of Oz. And for all you Adults, get a copy of this and then have a Google for WICKED The Musical - you'll never look at the Wizard of Oz the same again A TRULY AMAZING MUSICAL!