Wizard of Oz with a twist
Dec 21st, 2008 by Cathy Jo Nelson
Last night we sat down together to watch The Wizard of Oz, my husband’s favorite all time movie. It is on EVERY Christmas, and we enjoy watching it year in and year out. We sing along with all the songs, and quote lines right along with the characters, and watch in anticipation of each scene. It’s silly, I know, but it has become a tradition. My boys have come to the age where they roll their eyes, leave the room, even leave the house at times (they are 18 and 21), but it never fails that most if not all of us are watching it together by the end of the movie.
So last night was no different. He rubbed his hands in anticipation yesterday afternoon as the promos for the movie would run through the TV every now and then. At 8:00 we were cozily seated facing the TV, and enjoying the show as if it were a big screen production. But there was a twist this year. As we watched this adored tradition, we also looked for mistakes made in the movie. You see my oldest is majoring in film (special effects and animation to be exact) so with him home for the holidays, there is no “normal” tv watching. Every cut is analyzed aloud in the room. At times, this can be annoying, and it is difficult to sit through a movie with him.
We pulled up websites that identified mistakes, and then watched with a new critical eye for events and activities that for years have gone unnoticed. Here is the one I liked the most. I was amazed at things I have always dismissed or never noticed before. I think I dismissed many because reality tells me it is just tv, actors, and a script played out on a set–where do-overs are allowed. But son #1 says because of the availability of do-overs, they are unexcusable.
Could this be an activity done in class? I know the movie Pearl Harbor has many issues with historical accuracy. What other movies have I readily accepted as great movies, dismissing “issues” with accuracy or technique because it was a “movie?”
Anyway, it’s a fun tradition in my house that has taken on a new twist. I think I’ll save it for home entertainment though. We had a very enjoyable evening at home last night.
Attribution:
www.flickr.com/photos/85966598@N00/98619313
My husband, who reenacts sometimes and is very knowledgeable about period clothing and firearms, drives me CRAZY when we watch pseudo- historical movies.
Hollywood uses more consultants now, but there are still errors, some of which even I can spot. For example, in The Patriot, Mel Gibson fires & reloads his flintlock rifle within 10 seconds. Even the most experienced marksman needs 25-30 seconds to accomplish this.
My daughter and I went to see the movie “Elizabeth: the Golden Age” and Ellen was horrified by the liberties taken with the Queen’s life, particularly her romantic adventures.
Maybe you could have your students watch & evaluate an old favorite, Davy Crockett. Disney was not noted for historical accuracy!
I think this is a great activity for a class project. I tend to catch errors related to things nautical, from my Navy days. For example, it bugs me when the Titanic is ordered hard to starboard, but the helmsman turns hard to port. No wonder that ship sank!