The Wizard of Oz

Name: The Wizard of Oz - Christian Parent's Review
Item: The Wizard of Oz
Rating: 1
Author: StoryScanner

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General Review

Parent's Guide to The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz is a classic 1939 American musical fantasy film based on L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel, following young Dorothy Gale as she is swept away by a tornado from her Kansas farm to the magical Land of Oz. Accompanied by her dog Toto and new friends – the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion – Dorothy embarks on a journey along the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City, hoping the powerful Wizard of Oz can help her return home. Along the way, they face the threats of the Wicked Witch of the West. The film is celebrated for its groundbreaking use of Technicolor, memorable songs, and enduring themes of courage, intelligence, heart, and the importance of home, appealing to a broad audience, though some content can be intense for younger viewers.

Things to Consider

High2

LGBTQ & Gender Identity

While the 1939 film does not explicitly portray LGBTQ+ characters or themes, it holds significant cultural importance within the queer community and is frequently interpreted through an LGBTQ+ lens. The term 'Friend of Dorothy' became a widely recognized code phrase for gay men, referencing Dorothy Gale's journey and her acceptance of her 'queer friends' in Oz. Actresses involved, such as Judy Garland and Billie Burke (Glinda), also contribute to its queer legacy.

The Cowardly Lion, portrayed by Bert Lahr, is widely recognized as a 'gay-coded' character, described by commentators as 'sissy,' 'flamboyant, effeminate, and self-oppressive,' due to his mannerisms and rejection of traditional masculinity. Additionally, Dorothy's journey from the 'black-and-white limitations of small-town life' in Kansas to the 'big, colorful cities filled with quirky, gender-bending characters' in Oz is a powerful allegory for the queer experience of seeking acceptance and 'found family.'

Witchcraft & Occult

Magic and witchcraft are central themes throughout The Wizard of Oz, depicted through characters like Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West, as well as the 'magic' of the Wizard (which is later revealed as illusion). The film presents both benevolent and malevolent uses of supernatural powers.

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Medium4

ViolenceSubstance UseScary & Intense ContentAnti-Christian Themes

Low3

Romance and Sexual ContentProfanityDisrespect & Rebellion

Medium4

Violence

The film contains several instances of mild to medium violence, primarily stemming from the antagonistic actions of the Wicked Witch of the West and her minions. While not graphic, these scenes involve threats, magical attacks, and confrontations.

The Wicked Witch of the West repeatedly threatens Dorothy, stating 'I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too!' before attempting to kill her. The Witch also throws fire at the Scarecrow, who is made of straw, posing a direct threat to his existence. Furthermore, the Wicked Witch's army of Flying Monkeys attacks Dorothy and her companions, carrying Dorothy to the Witch's castle and throwing spears at Toto.

Substance Use

The film includes a scene with implied substance use through the 'Deadly Poppy Field.' Dorothy, Toto, and the Cowardly Lion fall into a deep sleep due to the intoxicating scent of the magical poppies, a widely recognized allegory for opium.

Scary & Intense Content

Despite its G rating, The Wizard of Oz contains several scenes that are frequently cited as frightening or disturbing for young children, due to menacing characters, loud noises, and suspenseful situations.

The tornado scene is particularly intense, featuring Dorothy's house being violently lifted and spun in the air amidst flying debris, with Dorothy screaming in fear. The Wicked Witch of the West is a consistently scary antagonist, with her green skin, cackling laugh, and repeated threats, such as when she writes 'Surrender Dorothy' in the sky. Her Flying Monkeys are also a major source of fear, depicted as grotesque, winged creatures that abduct Dorothy and terrorize her friends.

Anti-Christian Themes

Some Christian perspectives identify anti-Christian themes, particularly in the film's message of self-reliance and the portrayal of the Wizard. Critics argue that the movie, influenced by author L. Frank Baum's Theosophist background, promotes a 'power within' philosophy where characters achieve their desires without divine intervention, thereby potentially undermining reliance on God.

A significant concern is the depiction of the Wizard of Oz, who initially appears as an all-powerful, god-like figure but is ultimately exposed as a 'hoax' and a 'fraud'—a mere man operating a curtain. This is interpreted by some as a metaphor for God being a deception, where characters don't need God to save them but discover 'they always had that power within.' Furthermore, the Good Witch Glinda tells Dorothy that 'you've always had the power... you just had to learn it for yourself,' reinforcing the self-sufficiency message that some Christians find at odds with biblical teachings of dependence on God.

Low3

Romance and Sexual Content

The film contains very limited and subtle romantic suggestions, primarily implied rather than explicitly shown. There is no overt sexual content, nudity, or suggestive language.

Profanity

Profanity in The Wizard of Oz is minimal and consists only of mild name-calling, consistent with a G-rated film from its era.

Disrespect & Rebellion

The film features a brief instance of a child running away from home due to feeling misunderstood, but this act is quickly rectified, and the overarching themes emphasize positive values like loyalty and friendship.

Early in the film, Dorothy runs away from her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry's farm with Toto after her dog bites their stern neighbor, Miss Gulch, and the neighbor threatens to have Toto put down. Dorothy feels her family isn't protecting Toto adequately. However, she quickly decides to return home after a heartfelt conversation with Professor Marvel, who convinces her that her aunt is worried, before the tornado strikes.

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The Wizard of Oz, while a beloved classic, presents a mixed landscape for Christian parents seeking alignment with biblical values. Its core themes of friendship, loyalty, courage, and perseverance resonate positively, showcasing how Dorothy and her companions grow in virtue and overcome obstacles through mutual support. Character morality is generally clear: Dorothy and her friends are rewarded for their kindness and good intentions, while the Wicked Witch of the West faces clear accountability for her malice and cruelty, ultimately being defeated. A strong family value emphasized throughout the film is the profound importance of home and the love of family, as Dorothy's deepest desire is to return to Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, learning to appreciate what she already has. However, the movie's worldview and representation of 'faith' invite more nuanced consideration. The narrative ultimately posits that Dorothy and her friends already possessed the brains, heart, and courage they sought, and the powerful Wizard of Oz was merely a charlatan, a man behind a curtain. This emphasis on self-discovery and the internal wellspring of power can be interpreted by some as aligning with secular humanism, suggesting that individuals have all they need within themselves and do not require external, transcendent intervention, which may contradict a biblical worldview of dependence on God. While the film lacks explicit Christian or faith-based depictions, some analyses perceive the Wizard's unmasking as implicitly anti-Christian, portraying a powerful 'God-figure' as a fraud and promoting self-salvation. Conversely, other Christian perspectives suggest the journey can be seen as a parable for recognizing God-given potential and the innate qualities that manifest through experience, akin to a Christian walk of growing in understanding what God has already placed within us. Redemption themes, in a biblical sense of grace and sacrifice for sin, are not present; instead, the characters experience a form of self-realization or personal growth.

Additional Context

Best For Ages

Parental guidance is recommended for children under 8, and the film may not be suitable for children under 5 due to several frightening scenes and mild thematic violence. For children aged 8 and over, it is generally considered acceptable.

Good to Know

The runtime of the 1939 film is approximately 102 minutes. There are no widely recognized extended or director's cuts that significantly alter the content. While the film is a classic, parents should be mindful of the potentially frightening elements for very young children and be prepared to discuss the thematic interpretations, particularly regarding magic and the underlying messages, from a Christian worldview.

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