Prettier Than Ever: The Restoration of Oz

The Forbidden Reel

March 2020 •English

According to the official history of Afghanistan, ruthless destruction has always prevailed over art and creation; but there is another tale to be told, the forgotten account of a diverse and progressive country, seen through the lens of innovative filmmakers, a story that survives thanks to a few brave Afghans, a small but very passionate group that secretly fought to save a huge film archive that was constantly menaced by war and religious fanaticism.

The Extraordinary Voyage

December 2011 •French

An account of the extraordinary life of film pioneer Georges Méliès (1861-1938) and the amazing story of the copy in color of his masterpiece A Trip to the Moon (1902), unexpectedly found in Spain and restored thanks to the heroic efforts of a group of true cinema lovers.

Restoring a Legend: Gone with the Wind

November 2004 •English

DVD featurette on the restoration of Gone with the Wind (1939).

L. Frank Baum: The Man Behind the Curtain

October 2005 •English

A featurette on L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and other children's books.

Because of the Wonderful Things It Does: The Legacy of Oz

October 2005 •English

A featurette about The Wizard of Oz (1939).

We're Off to See the Munchkins

January 1993 •English

The last eight surviving Munchkins from The Wizard of Oz share their memories in this 1993 documentary hosted by Oz historian John Fricke.

Furia libertaria

January 2011 •Spanish

San Sebastián de los Reyes Bullring, Madrid, Spain, March 27, 1977. In response to the strange political alliances that were taking place between antagonistic forces in search of a self-serving consensus, the anarcho-syndicalist union CNT organizes a rally to denounce the reprehensible machinations of its adversaries. (Documentary shot in 1977; edited and released in 2011).

In Search of Oz

June 1994 •English

BBC 2 produced this documentary on the Oz books of L. Frank Baum and the films and fantasies that they inspired, particularly the first book `The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'. Includes clips from the several silent film versions of the stories produced by Baum that have survived as well as the 1939 film with Judy Garland, and interviews with such enthusiasts as Salman Rushdie, Gore Vidal, Ray Bradbury, Geoffrey Ryman and Nora Ephron.

To Oz! The Making of a Classic

September 2009 •English

A look into how L. Frank Baum's classic novel was transformed into one of the most beloved films of all time including archival interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and rare musical outtakes.

The Making of the Wiz Live!

November 2015 •English

Go behind the curtain in The Land of Oz with NBC's "The Making of The Wiz Live!" The hour-long special will give an exclusive backstage look at this highly anticipated television event.

A Tribute to the Wizard of Oz

January 1999 •English

A tribute to the characters and makeup artists from the Wizard of Oz, as performed and created by some of the top makeup people in Hollywood. On September 12, 1998, a group of top makeup artists gathered in Studio City, CA, to pay tribute to Jack Dawn and his team from the seminal 1939 classic, The Wizard of Oz.

Coppola, un hombre y sus sueños

February 1999 •Spanish

The Wizard of Oz in Concert: Dreams Come True

November 1995 •English

This production consists an abbreviated script and highlights most musical numbers from the 1939 film.

Wiz on Down the Road

January 1978 •English

A short promotional film on the making of “The Wiz” (1978). Includes a brief history of Oz portrayals in film and behind the scenes interviews.

'Rear Window' Ethics: Remembering and Restoring a Hitchcock Classic

March 2001 •English

A documentary about Alfred Hitchcock's classic 1954 film Rear Window.

The Whimsical World of Oz

January 1985 •English

A promotional piece for the Disney film "Return to Oz", that also traces the history of the Oz books and films.

Creating The Wizard of Oz on Ice

January 1995 •English

Behind the scenes in the making of “The Wizard of Oz on Ice”.

Oz: The American Fairyland

June 1997 •English

The first part tells of the life and works of L. Frank Baum, along with his career as a writer and filmmaker, centering on the creation of Oz. This portion continues with the effect of Oz after his death, with novelties, dolls, radio, stage, and screen adaptions, and advertising gimmicks based on his work, culminating with MGM's Wizard of Oz (1939). While discussing some of the major alterations between the book and the film, such as MGM making Baum's real-life adventure a dream. The second half is about interpretation of Oz by other artists, including Helen Kish, Barry Moser, Barry Mahon, Evelyn Copelman, Robert Tonner, Robin Woods, Michael Hague, Lizbeth Zwerger, Pavel Arsyenov, and Charles Santore. The documentary concludes with an analysis of Baum's work and its profound effect on American culture.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The True Story

April 2011 •English

This iconic American story was written in 1900 by L Frank Baum, a Chicago businessman, journalist, chicken breeder, actor, boutique owner, Hollywood movie director and lifelong fan of all things innovative and technological. His life spanned an era of remarkable invention and achievement in America and many of these developments helped to fuel this great storyteller's imagination. His ambition was to create the first genuine American fairytale and the story continues to fascinate, inspire and engage millions of fans of all ages from all over the world. This documentary explores how The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has come to symbolise the American Dream and includes previously unseen footage from the Baum family archives, still photographs and clips from the early Oz films, as well as interviews with family members, literary experts and American historians as it tells the story of one man's life in parallel to the development of modern America.

Yellow Brick Road

July 2005 •English

A group of disabled actors prepare for and perform a one night only performance of The Wizard of Oz.