All together now: "Somewhere over the rainbow." It's hard to explain the influence and impact of a movie like The Wizard of Oz, which feels like the cinematic equivalent of required reading for humans of all ages. Indeed, The Wizard of Oz - based on the book by L. Frank Baum - is one of few movies on this list that children of all ages should settle into as soon as possible; with its vast, colourful, endlessly creative sequences, lovingly rendered characters, catchy musical numbers and a memorable, clear cut villain, it almost feels like the perfect "first film." Victor Fleming took the reins on Oz, somewhat amazingly in the very same year that he would also direct classic Gone With The Wind. Judy Garland mesmerises as a vision of purity in the leading role Dorothy, of course, though the casting here - with many of the actors playing multiple parts - is impeccable all around. And is there any moment in the history of the filmmaking medium that sums up the magic of cinema quite like the one that sees Dorothy stepping through her sepia-coloured Kanas doorway into the Technicoloured land of Oz? Nope!
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
