Sandi Weaver remembers waiting with anticipation for the movie to start. Once a year “The Wizard of Oz” would play on TV. Now an adult, Weaver recently saw her son have that same excitement as he watched the classic for the first time.
Viewers across the country will have the opportunity to see the movie as they’ve never seen it before. “The Wizard of Oz” returns to the big screen in 3D this weekend to mark the movie’s 75th anniversary.
First-time watcher: Weaver’s son, Carson, recently watched the movie for the first time on DVD. His grandfather wanted to share the movie classic with his grandson sooner, but Weaver said she was afraid that parts of the movie would scare him.
Weaver finally gave in, and Carson soaked it up – watching the movie 17 times in one weekend. “To see his enthusiasm was wonderful,” she said. “It brought back memories of when we were all kids and the commercials would start.”
Carson’s love of “Oz” grew rapidly. The 6-year-old wanted to carry the theme into his birthday celebration, and he soon watched the more recent move, “Oz the Great and Powerful.” Because the experience was new for him, Carson thought everyone must have just discovered it, his mom said.
“It was also cute how he would talk to everyone as if they had never seen it. He had to ask everyone he saw, ‘Have you seen the Wizard of Oz?” she said.
New view: To celebrate the movie’s anniversary, producers are releasing a new digitally re-mastered 3D version that will be available on Blu-ray Disc. Amazon.com is taking pre-orders now. The DVD will be available beginning Oct. 1.
Amazon lists the individual Blu-ray Disc at $14.95, but a box set with additional footage, documentaries and keepsakes costs $79.99, according to the website. Movie theaters start playing the 3D version this weekend. Regal Cinema in Gastonia doesn’t have “The Wizard” in its lineup, but that could always change, according to the manager.
Weaver said she’d love for Carson to see the movie on the big screen, but that a vision issue he has may make it tough for him to watch in 3D. If the old version ever makes it back to theaters, Weaver said she and Carson will be there. “I have to say it is fun to watch it with someone seeing it for the first time. His questions and commentary are funny,” she said.
You can reach Diane Turbyfill at 704-869-1817 and twitter.com/GazetteDiane.
Want to see it?
What: “The Wizard of Oz” in IMAX 3D
Where: Regal Stonecrest, 7824 Rea Road, Charlotte
When: Starts this weekend
Cost: $15.75 per adult