The story of Oz continues with five chapters, Chapters Eight through Twelve, in this delightful animated series.
In Chapter Eight, titled, “The Deadly Poppy Field,” Dorothy and her three companions, the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion, continue their journey to Oz, but run into trouble when a raft on a stream carries the three away from the Scarecrow, who is stuck in the water on a pole. The Tinman cries but the three soon find themselves on land. Fortunately, they befriend a stork who goes back and rescues the Scarecrow. However, they come across a poppy field and Dorothy, Toto, and the Lion find themselves getting sleepy. Only the Scarecrow and Tinman aren’t affected by the poisonous poppies. The Lion runs for help but doesn’t quite make it to the end of the poppy field. Later, Dorothy, the Scarecrow, and Tinman (and Toto too!) manage to get to the Lion, but can they escape with the Lion in tow?
In Chapter Nine, titled, “The Queen of the Field Mice,” the Tinman saves the Queen Mouse. The mice were afraid of Toto but learn that he is not to be feared. Dorothy meets the Queen Mouse, and she agrees to have her mice pull a wagon to the sleeping Lion, so they can rescue him from the dreaded poppies.
In Chapter Ten, titled, “The Guardian of the Gates,” the Lion is happy to be alive, and can’t figure out how the little mice saved him, and the small flowers almost killed him! As the group travels toward the Emerald City and Oz, they meet a family who graciously allows them to spend the night. The group wonders what Oz looks like and Dorothy only knows that she wants to get back home to Kansas.
In Chapter Eleven, titled, “The Wonderful Emerald City of Oz,” everything looks green, including green lemonade! Even families wear green! The group manages to have a meeting with the Wizard, one at a time. Dorothy approaches the throne to find an enormous bodyless head! He asks who she is, and she replies, “I am Dorothy, the small and meek.” Oz asks about her silver shoes and Dorothy explains that Glinda, the good witch of the North, gave them to her. She tells him she wants to go home, and he tells her, “Help me and I will help you.” He wants her to kill the Wicked Witch of the West. Dorothy weeps because she misses home, and she can’t imagine how she can destroy the evil witch.
Next up is the Scarecrow, and he sees a beautiful girl with wings. She asks the same thing of him – kill the witch and he will be granted the brains he wishes for.
Next the Tinman sees a hideous beast, nearly as big as an elephant but with the face of a rhinoceros, and with five eyes! Again, he is told his wish will be granted, for a heart, when he has killed the witch.
Finally, the Lion sees a great ball of fire! He tells Oz he wishes to become the king of the beasts, but Oz replies he will have to bring him proof of the witch’s death, or the Lion will remain a coward.
In Chapter Twelve, titled, “The Search for the Wicked Witch,” the group of travelers go to the land of the Winkies to find the witch. There is no road, and they know that the witch will make slaves of them if she captures them. They immediately deal with wolves, but the Tinman cuts off their evil heads (40 of them!) and he leaves them in a big heap. The witch is angry when she learns they have survived the dreadful wolves. Then the witch sends black bees, but the Scarecrow covers Dorothy and the Lion and Toto with his straw to protect them. The bees break off their stingers when they attack the Tinman, which kills them.
The Winkies attack with spears but the Lion and his roar chases them away. The witch uses her golden cap, and its free wish, to send her winged monkeys to capture the travelers but when they see the kiss of Glinda, the good witch of the North, on Dorothy’s forehead, they will only carry them to the witch, refusing to harm them. And Dorothy learns what a simple bucket of water can do to the witch!
There are good conversation pieces, and things to think about, including the fight of good and evil. And about overcoming and the power of friends standing together.
THE DOVE TAKE: This fairy tale features lovable characters, more than one evil nemesis, and a fun-filled adventure for families to watch together.
This film has procured our Dove seal for All Ages, due to its storytelling of good defeating evil.