The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic

8.3/10199052mReleased

DocumentaryTV Movie

Documentary about the making of the 1939 MGM classic film The Wizard of Oz. Includes interviews of cast and crew members, their families and fans of the film.

Released: Feb 20, 1990

Watch Now

Top Cast

Angela Lansbury

Self / Host

Judy Garland

Self (archive footage)

Ray Bolger

Self (archive footage)

More Like This

7.7

Movie

The Godfather Family: A Look Inside

A documentary on the making of the three Godfather films, with interviews and recollections from the film makers and cast. This feature also includes the original screen tests of some of the actors for "The Godfather" film, and some candid moments on the set of "The Godfather: Part III."

The Godfather Family: A Look Inside

1990 · Movie

Louis Theroux: Twilight of the Porn Stars

6.3

Movie

Louis Theroux: Twilight of the Porn Stars

In 1997, Louis Theroux made a documentary about the world of male porn performers in Los Angeles. 15 years later, he returns to find a business struggling with the deluge of free porn on the internet. Louis revisits some of the original programme's contributors as well as meeting the latest crop of porn performers dreaming of porn stardom.

Louis Theroux: Twilight of the Porn Stars

2012 · Movie

6.9

Movie

And the Oscar Goes To...

The story of the gold-plated statuette that became the film industry's most coveted prize, AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... traces the history of the Academy itself, which began in 1927 when Louis B. Mayer, then head of MGM, led other prominent members of the industry in forming this professional honorary organization. Two years later the Academy began bestowing awards, which were nicknamed "Oscar," and quickly came to represent the pinnacle of cinematic achievement.

And the Oscar Goes To...

2014 · Movie

7.1

Movie

Making The Witcher

Journey into the extraordinary world of "The Witcher" — from casting the roles to Jaskier's catchy song — in this behind-the-scenes look at the series.

Making The Witcher

2020 · Movie

7.2

Movie

4 Little Girls

On September 15, 1963, a bomb destroyed a black church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four young girls who were there for Sunday school. It was a crime that shocked the nation--and a defining moment in the history of the civil-rights movement. Spike Lee re-examines the full story of the bombing, including a revealing interview with former Alabama Governor George Wallace.

4 Little Girls

1997 · Movie

7.2

Movie

Seven Up!

A group of British children aged 7 from widely ranging backgrounds are interviewed about a range of subjects. The filmmakers plan to re-interview them at 7 year intervals to track how their lives and attitudes change as they age.

Seven Up!

1964 · Movie

7.8

Movie

Interstellar: Nolan's Odyssey

A look behind the lens of Christopher Nolan's space epic.

Interstellar: Nolan's Odyssey

2014 · Movie

6.0

Movie

Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me

From the heights of her modeling fame to her tragic death, this documentary reveals Anna Nicole Smith through the eyes of the people closest to her.

Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me

2023 · Movie

7.1

Movie

The Class of ‘92

A detailing of the rise to prominence and global sporting superstardom of six supremely talented young Manchester United football players (David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil and Gary Neville). The film covers the period 1992-1999, culminating in Manchester United's European Cup triumph.

The Class of ‘92

2013 · Movie

6.7

Movie

Birth of the Living Dead

A behind the scenes look into George Romero's groundbreaking horror classic Night of the Living Dead.

Birth of the Living Dead

2013 · Movie

7.5

Movie

David Bowie: Five Years

Featuring a wealth of previously unseen archive, this film looks at how Bowie continually evolved: from Ziggy Stardust to the Soul Star of Young Americans, to the ‘Thin White Duke’. It explores his regeneration in Berlin with the critically acclaimed album Heroes, his triumph with Scary Monsters and his global success with Let’s Dance. With interviews with all his closest collaborators, David Bowie - Five Years presents a unique account of why Bowie has become an ‘icon of our times’.

David Bowie: Five Years

2013 · Movie

6.4

Movie

Fuck

A documentary on the expletive's origin, why it offends some people so deeply, and what can be gained from its use.

Fuck

2006 · Movie

7.4

Movie

Sidney

This revealing documentary honors the legendary Sidney Poitier—iconic actor, filmmaker, and civil rights activist. Featuring interviews with Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Halle Berry, and more.

Sidney

2022 · Movie

6.9

Movie

Directed by John Ford

A documentary about the life and films of director John Ford.

Directed by John Ford

1971 · Movie

6.5

Movie

Champs

A documentary about the sport of boxing, as seen through the eyes of champions Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Bernard Hopkins.

Champs

2015 · Movie

7.6

Movie

A Plastic Ocean

A documentary focused on plastic pollution in the world's oceans.

A Plastic Ocean

2016 · Movie

7.3

Movie

Making "The Matrix"

A promotional making-of documentary for the film The Matrix (1999) that devotes its time to explaining the digital and practical effects contained in the film. This is very interesting, seeing as how they're giving away the cinematic secrets that they created solely for the this movie, that have now been spoofed and referenced in countless other films.

Making "The Matrix"

1999 · Movie

7.5

Movie

Listen to Me Marlon

With exclusive access to his extraordinary unseen and unheard personal archive including hundreds of hours of audio recorded over the course of his life, this is the definitive Marlon Brando cinema documentary. Charting his exceptional career as an actor and his extraordinary life away from the stage and screen with Brando himself as your guide, the film will fully explore the complexities of the man by telling the story uniquely from Marlon's perspective, entirely in his own voice. No talking heads, no interviewees, just Brando on Brando and life.

Listen to Me Marlon

2015 · Movie

More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead

7.4

Movie

More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead

Retrospective documentary about the making of the horror cult classic "The Return of the Living Dead."

More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead

2011 · Movie

The Summers of It - Chapter Two: It Ends

7.1

Movie

The Summers of It - Chapter Two: It Ends

This documentary focuses on the actors and their journey over two summers to create the remake to the original IT, by Stephen King. The documentary originally released as bonus material, bundled with IT: Chapter Two.

The Summers of It - Chapter Two: It Ends

2019 · Movie

Similar Movies

5.2

Movie

The Muppets' Wizard of Oz

A young woman named Dorothy Gale dreams of becoming a singer but is unable to pursue her dreams. After being swept up by a tornado with her pet prawn Toto, Dorothy embarks on a journey to meet the Wizard of Oz, the person who both Dorothy and the citizens of Oz believe can help make her dream come true.

The Muppets' Wizard of Oz

2005 · Movie

10.0

Movie

Creating The Wizard of Oz on Ice

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

Creating The Wizard of Oz on Ice

1995 · Movie

Movie

The Whimsical World of Oz

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

The Whimsical World of Oz

1985 · Movie

Movie

To Oz! The Making of a Classic

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.

To Oz! The Making of a Classic

2009 · Movie

Movie

Oz: The American Fairyland

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.

Oz: The American Fairyland

1997 · Movie

The Wizard of Oz in Concert: Dreams Come True

6.5

Movie

The Wizard of Oz in Concert: Dreams Come True

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

The Wizard of Oz in Concert: Dreams Come True

1995 · Movie

5.0

Movie

Wiz on Down the Road

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.

Wiz on Down the Road

1978 · Movie

Movie

That Girl in Wonderland

Anne Marie imagines herself in the stories "Alice in Wonderland," "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," "Hansel and Gretel," "The Wizard of Oz," and "Cinderella".

That Girl in Wonderland

1973 · Movie

Movie

The Wizard of U.S.

The Wizard of U.S. is a social satire - an animated documentary about emotions, based on themes from the popular American novel "The Wizard of OZ", in order to illustrate how Los Angeles makes the American Dream come true. The film describes the observations, dilemmas and adventures shared by all of those, who just like Dorothy - the main character-want to be "the voice of their generation" and try their luck in Hollywood. This is the hyper-realistic America, with all its attractions, such as living "at full capacity", the enthusiasm and embarrassingly white smiles of "the local people" seen through the eyes of a "stranger" from Europe. Using the factual interviews with the inhabitants of Los Angeles, observing their everyday life, habits and behavior, after three years of having survived in L.A. the director reveals the thrills and absurdities that govern the world of the big stakes and unleashed dreams the way it is all perceived by an immigrant from Europe.

The Wizard of U.S.

2016 · Movie

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The True Story

7.0

Movie

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The True Story

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.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The True Story

2011 · Movie

L. Frank Baum: The Man Behind the Curtain

6.0

Movie

L. Frank Baum: The Man Behind the Curtain

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

L. Frank Baum: The Man Behind the Curtain

2005 · Movie

6.0

Movie

Who Stole the Ruby Slippers?

A classic Hollywood whodunnit mystery. “Who Stole the Ruby Slippers?” is an investigative look into the 2005 theft of an original pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the classic film “The Wizard of Oz”.

Who Stole the Ruby Slippers?

2015 · Movie

Movie

The Slippers

THE SLIPPERS pulls back the Wizard’s curtain on the unbelievable story and cultural impact of Dorothy's Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz. Through first-hand accounts and archival interviews, THE SLIPPERS will detail the life of the Ruby Slippers after their sale at the famed 1970 MGM auction. Discovered by costumer Kent Warner, it is unclear how many pairs were found and how many pairs exist. That mystery has only helped to propel the shoes to the forefront of the Hollywood memorabilia market. They have been bought, stolen, and coveted by many. They are considered the most important piece of Hollywood memorabilia and the catalyst for the creation of Hollywood memorabilia collecting.

The Slippers

2016 · Movie

Movie

The Making of the Wiz Live!

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.

The Making of the Wiz Live!

2015 · Movie

5.0

Movie

Judy in a Land Called Oz

Ian Stahlhut's 1992 documentary of Judy Garland's 1964 Australian Tour.

Judy in a Land Called Oz

1992 · Movie

Movie

The Wizard of Malta

Douglas Davis presents his interpretations of The Maltese Falcon (1941), The Wizard of Oz (1939), and Napoleon in the triptych style of the finale of the Abel Gance version of the latter.

The Wizard of Malta

1981 · Movie

Movie

In Search of Oz

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.

In Search of Oz

1994 · Movie

A Tale of Two Sisters - Lorna Luft and Liza Minnelli

9.0

Movie

A Tale of Two Sisters - Lorna Luft and Liza Minnelli

Documentary which aired on television in 2004, about the two daughters of Judy Garland and their relationship.

A Tale of Two Sisters - Lorna Luft and Liza Minnelli

2004 · Movie

5.2

Movie

Yellow Brick Road

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

Yellow Brick Road

2005 · Movie

6.4

Movie

Fantastic Journey to Oz

The cunning and wicked Urfin wants to become ruler of Magic Land. With an army of wooden soldiers, he captures the Emerald City and renames it ti Urfinville. He is all but ready to celebrate victory, when his plans are ruined by an ordinary girl named Dorothy, who arrives in Magic Land just at the right time. She must return home, but not before she helps her friends - the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and new-brave Lion - defeat Urfin. And in order to do that, they need to find out who he really is.

Fantastic Journey to Oz

2017 · Movie