CCR

Review of a few Camera Angles in the Movie

The Wizard of Oz(1939)

From Director Victor Fleming

                I chose to comment on a few of the camera angles in the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz" because it has always been my favorite movie ever since I was a little kid. The various shots, camera angles, and scenery changes have always intrigued me. The genre includes Fantasy and Adventure which are typically not my favorite. Since, the genre normally doesn't appeal to me the different camera angles and techniques probably make this movie my favorite. It is very interesting how much camera angles can play in making a major film amazing or just subpar. 

                 
The movie opened with scenes of Dorothy and her family in Kansas. In Kansas it foreshadows all of the upcoming characters that are in her dream when she is in Oz.

This shot is a reaction shot which is a close shot of someone reacting to something off camera. In this shot Dorothy is afraid because she sees the wicked witch. Dorothy just wants to get back home to canvas and is afraid of the witch. The witch continues to torture Dorothy along her path to the Emerald City. I chose this shot because it describes what this movie is mostly about. There were so many different reactions and different characters with unique personalities throughout the movie.

This shot is a full shot which captures the subjects entire body from head to toe. In the shot the scarecrow, tin man, Dorothy, and lion are trotting along the yellow brick road in hopes of arriving at the Emerald City. By showing the full body you can see that the characters are doing an action which adds spice to the scene. The director included such variety of shots that made this film so entertaining. This scene is crucial because it is the crossover from her being in munchkin land to making her way to see the wizard. 

This shot was an extreme long shot because it is from a great distance at a wide angle that is almost aerial in location. This shot shows the group looking ahead at the Emerald city. This shot is important because it establishes where the characters are in relation to the city. Throughout the movie the goal was to go to the Emerald city by following a very long yellow brick road. In this shot it appears they have finally made it to their destination. The ironic thing are the poppy flower on the ground surrounding the city. They are so close yet so far away because the poppy flowers make them fall asleep.

This final shot is a close up that is a shot of an isolated object. This shot shows Dorothy's ruby red slippers which are the magical shoes that grant her the ability to go home. This shot in the beginning of the movie foreshadows how important these shoes will be at the end. Without this shot it would't have drawn the audience in to see what comes at the end of the movie.