The Wizard of 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

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Judy Garland. And her version of THE WIZARD OF OZ from 1939 is classic. But it's not at all faithful to the book. This production is. The animation isn't great, and it's obviously not a flawless production, but it's lovingly done, has decent songs, and above all, is FAITHFUL to the book. Yes, there is a book. Yes, people have actually read it. Everyone's seen the movie but few people have bothered to read the book. If they had, they'd discover that OZ was a much more whimsical place, it really existed, it wasn't some dream. And this production is very true to the spirit of the novel. And Aileen Quinn is adorable, I wish she'd return to the movies, what a fabulous voice at such a young age.

Just got done watching The Wizard of Oz (1982), the anime version of the classic story, and this is easily the best version of the Wizard of Oz since the 1939 classic.

Positives for The Wizard of Oz (1982): While the movie does tell the same story as the 1939 classic with some changes in the narrative, this is easily the most engaged I have been with a movie adaptation of this classic story. The animation in this movie looks phenomenal from start to finish, then again I tend to love the Japanese anime style a lot. I also like how this movie doesn't take the musical route and instead takes the straightforward route with the story. And finally, I really appreciated some of the changes to the story as it makes this movie stand out on its own.

Overall, The Wizard of Oz (1982) is the movie adaptation of the classic story that I've been waiting to watch since the 1939 musical classic and I highly recommend this movie especially you're a fan of anime.

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.