The Wizard of Oz

Main Plot

"The Wizard of Oz," directed by Victor Fleming and King Vidor, follows the journey of Dorothy, a young girl from Kansas, who is swept away by a tornado to the magical land of Oz. In her quest to return home, she embarks on a journey to the Emerald City to seek help from the Wizard of Oz. Along the way, she befriends a Scarecrow in search of a brain, a Tin Man desiring a heart, and a Cowardly Lion seeking courage. Together, they face various challenges and adversaries, including the Wicked Witch of the West. Through their adventures, they discover that the qualities they seek are already within them. Ultimately, Dorothy learns valuable lessons about self-reliance and the importance of home.

Characters

• Dorothy Gale, a young girl from Kansas, embarks on a journey to find her way home, meeting friends and overcoming challenges along the way.
• Frank Morgan plays multiple roles, including the Wizard, Professor Marvel, the Gatekeeper, the Carriage Driver, and the Guard, guiding Dorothy and her friends on their journey.
• Ray Bolger played the Scarecrow, who joins Dorothy on her journey, seeking a brain from the Wizard, and ultimately discovers his own intelligence.

Ending Explained

In the concluding scenes of "The Wizard of Oz," directed by Victor Fleming and King Vidor, Dorothy Gale and her companions—Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion—finally meet the Wizard after defeating the Wicked Witch of the West. The Wizard, initially appearing as a powerful figure, is revealed to be an ordinary man using elaborate tricks. He grants the Scarecrow a diploma, the Tin Man a heart-shaped clock, and the Cowardly Lion a medal, symbolizing their desired qualities of brains, heart, and courage, respectively. For Dorothy, the Wizard plans to take her back to Kansas in a hot air balloon, but the plan fails when the balloon accidentally takes off without her. Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, then informs Dorothy that she has always had the power to return home by clicking the heels of her ruby slippers together and repeating, "There's no place like home." Dorothy follows this advice and awakens in her Kansas home, surrounded by her family and friends, realizing that her adventures in Oz were a dream. The film ends with Dorothy's heartfelt declaration that she will never leave home again, emphasizing the theme of appreciating one's own surroundings and loved ones.