http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=57732 Warner Home Video have announced the Region 1 DVD release of two sparkling new editions of The Wizard of Oz for 25th October 2005. Voted by the American Film Institute (AFI) as the Best Family Film of all time, The Wizard of Oz has charmed audiences of every age for more than 60 years. On October 25, Warner Home Video (WHV) will celebrate this beloved classic with two bonus-packed DVD treasuries a Two-Disc Special Edition and a Three-Disc Collector's Edition. For the very first time, these versions of The Wizard of Oz boast a stunning new digital transfer of the original film, using Warner's "Ultra-Resolution" technology, plus a newly remastered soundtrack. As a result, viewers will experience the movies Technicolor splendour and unforgettable, award-winning songs and music like never before.
The Wizard of Oz Two-Disc Special Edition will be available for $26.99 SRP and the Three-Disc Collector's Edition will sell for $39.92 SRP. Both DVD editions offer extensive bonus content as detailed below...
The Two-Disc Special Edition Disc 1: New 2005 Ultra Resolution digital master from restored film elements
New commentary by historian John Fricke with selected archival audio comments by Barbara Freed-Saltzman (daughter of Arthur Freed), Margaret Hamilton, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Ken Darby (orchestral and vocal arranger), John Lahr (son of Bert Lahr), Jane Lahr (daughter of Bert Lahr), Hamilton Meserve (son of Margaret Hamilton), William Tuttle (make-up artist), Buddy Ebsen, Mervyn LeRoy, John Lee Mahin and Jerry Maren
Prettier Than Ever: The Restoration of Oz
We Haven't Really Met Properly supporting cast profile gallery, narrated by Angela Lansbury
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz storybook, read by Angela Lansbury
Theatrical trailer gallery
5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack
Original mono and music-and-effects-only audio tracks
Languages: English (Both Dolby 5.1 & original mono) & French
Subtitles: English, French and Spanish (feature film only)
Disc 2: Documentaries on the movie's creation and impact:
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic hosted by Angela Lansbury and Memories of Oz -- two original TV specials
All-New: The Art of Imagination: A Tribute to Oz and Because of the Wonderful Things it Does: The Legacy of Oz
Harold Arlen's onset home videos
Outtakes and deleted scenes
It's a Twister! It's a Twister! The tornado special effects tests
Vintage vault featurettes
Extensive stills gallery
More than six hours of audio-only treasures, including an "Oz jukebox" of recording session materials, radio shows and promos
The Three-Disc Collector's Edition -- includes Disc 1 and 2 plus: Disc 3: Four hours devoted to Oz creator L. Frank Baum, who published his first Oz book in 1900.
New documentary L. Frank Baum: The Man Behind the Curtain
Pre-1939 versions of Oz on screen
The Wizard of Oz (1910)
The Magic Cloak of Oz (1914)
His Majesty, The Scarecrow of Oz (1914)
The Wizard of Oz (1925): restored silent version featuring Oliver Hardy and Larry Semon, with a new, fully orchestrated score by Robert Israel
The Wizard of Oz (1933 Cartoon)
Print Reproductions Include:
The Wizard of Oz Comes to Life Eight-page Grauman's Chinese Theatre Souvenir Premiere Program from August 15, 1939
Studio's Invitation to The Grauman's Premiere and the envelope that included tickets to the original Opening Night -- with a newly designed commemorative ticket
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio News Sixteen-page edition of the studio's internal "house organ" newspaper, celebrating the release of The Wizard of Oz for the week of August 14, 1939
Photoplay Studies Rare secondary-education study guide to the film -- Volume V, Number 12
(circa August 1939) -- completely devoted to The Wizard of Oz, with articles revealing surprising insights from its producer, director, cameraman and scenarists.
Deluxe Collectors' Portfolio Reproductions of original 1939 Kodachrome publicity stills, including nine portraits and onset photographs
