What the best/most official Wizard of Oz dvd?

[Rabi~en~Rose]

as long as I can remember my moms been strangely obsessed with this movie so I wanna get it for christmas! but since she only collects the official WoZ merchandise I dunno which one to get!

[Mynd Hed]

While we're on the subject, I understand that later VHS editions of the movie had a few seconds cut out (I'm not sure why-- I doubt it was for censorship reasons) which screwed up with its synchronicity to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. Anyone happen to know if any or all DVD editions have the same problem?

(Floydian Slip, where are you when I need you? (-: )

[joshualane]

Warner Brothers owns the master rights to Wizard of OZ, so they're DVD is the "Official" release.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg.../-/B00000JS62/

However, there is also a Wizard of OZ Giftset that not only contains the aformentioned DVD, but also has some other treats.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg.../-/B00000JS64/

Unfortunately, Amazon is out of stock, but you might be able to find one on eBay or perhaps at another online retailer.

[Patrick McCart]

MGM's edition has a good video transfer with the original mono soundtrack. The extra is a trailer.

Warner's edition has a GREAT video transfer. This DVD is of the 1998 restoration which had digital restoration applied to the film. Also, the "door to Munchkinland" shot has a digital "matte" which makes the inside of Dorothy's home and also herself (until she re-emerges in front of full color Munchkinland) in full sepia tone and the outside full Technicolor. This was on original 1939 prints, but the stencilling was dropped for reissues.

Their edition also has lots of extras and a 5.1 remix. No original mono, though.

Warner Home Video MAY be releasing a 2-disc edition next year. Lowry Digital Images has expressed interest in helming a remaster not unlike Singin' In The Rain and The Adventures of Robin Hood. While Warner's current SE is fantastic, the transfer still shows a lot of 3-strip shrinkage (which LDI can correct) and some minor artifacting. Also, everything is crammed onto one DVD-9.

Among the extras that could be added are:

music-only track
Commentary (or commentaries)
Dark Side of the Moon audio track (Hey, TCM was able to do it)
new making-of documentary
original mono
The 1933 Wizard of Oz cartoon in restored and complete form