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Master Rank #36

The Wizard of Oz

1939

GCML Total9.3640% Greatness · 40% Engagement · 20% Ease

Directed by Victor Fleming

CastJudy Garland · Frank Morgan · Ray Bolger · Bert Lahr · Jack Haley

USAEnglishAdventure / Family102 minNot Rated
Sight & Sound; IMDb Top 250; AFI 100Narrative FeatureBrisk pace
Find Where to Watch
Original poster artwork · Great Cinema Master List
Oscar · 2

Spoiler-free premise

A Kansas girl swept into a magical land follows a yellow brick road in search of a way home.

Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free

Kansas farm girl Dorothy Gale is carried by a tornado to Oz, where she follows the Yellow Brick Road toward the Emerald City. The Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion join her search for the Wizard and a way home.

Why it belongs

The Wizard of Oz's leap from sepia Kansas to Technicolor Oz unites iconic songs, fantasy design, and elemental homesickness.

Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case

The shift from sepia Kansas to saturated Technicolor Oz shapes wonder as a visual event, while songs, matte paintings, costumes, and the four companions' contrasting physical performances keep the fantasy emotionally direct across generations.

Major award record

Metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20
Academy Awards2 wins1940 · official ceremony record ↗

Plus 2 additional wins

No headline-category win to name

Totals include every recorded competitive win. Only Picture or top-film honors, Direction, Screenplay, and lead or supporting performances are named.

Good for
Date NightFilm Club
Descriptive guidance derived from rating, genre, runtime, mood, and GCML scores.

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