The Wizard of Oz may be 75 years old, but for the first time — and for only one week in theaters — you can feel what it's like to actually be inside Oz.
Warner Bros. has brought the classic film to IMAX 3D theaters from Sept. 20 to 27 to show off its digitally remastered look, and despite worry that a piece of work so iconic and well-known could be lessened by a modern tech spin, it's stunning in its new form.
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The film brought in more than $3 million opening weekend on just 318 IMAX screens, placing it at no. 9 at the box office — the first ever top 10 for a solo IMAX release. And for many, it was the first time they ever saw The Wizard of Oz on the big screen.
Thanks to 3D technology, Auntie Em's house (still in black and white) comes flying at the screen. In vivid color, Glinda greets Dorothy in a pink bubble so dimensional you want to pop it yourself and those poppy fields truly look good enough to rest your head in for a nap.
What's most striking about the experience is how much the film looks like a play. The sets come alive in 3D, while the backdrop remains stagnant. There's so much charm in this affect though, particularly because it's a musical. It's like you're sitting in the first row at a Broadway show watching the original cast.
Considering the film is more than seven decades old, it can still hold its own from technical standpoint. More than 1,000 people over 16 months helped bring the IMAX 3D version to life, and every detail had to be analyzed and digitized. But it wasn't something IMAX wanted to do right out of the gate.

"We were certainly excited and open to the idea, but with this being one of the most beloved films of all time we were insistent that we tested the material first to ensure it would work for the IMAX format," Lorne Orleans, IMAX's camera department and producer, told Mashable. "After several tests with the Warner Bros. restoration team, the results looked fantastic and we decided to move forward."
The Wizard of Oz joins other films such as Titanic, Raiders of the Lost Arc and Jurassic Park that have been remastered for 3D IMAX.
The film underwent three phases: restoration, the 2D to 3D process and then IMAX conversation. To start, the original film elements were scanned, so the images could be sharpened and dirt and scratches from years of handling were removed. The team later analyzed each layer of the film and isolated objects based on spacing. Items that were closest to the camera received more 3D volume than those farther away.
"We decided we needed a film that was very visually dense," said Ned Price, chief preservation officer of Warner Bros. "It had to pictorially be dynamic and be really interesting to look at — there were tons of techno-color lighting and sculpted shadows used, so it was on its way to 3D."
Color correction was done in 3D as it was displayed on a projector. This brought new aspects of the film to life: Did you know Dorothy actually had freckles? And that the scarecrow's face was made of burlap? These enhancements brought new texture to the screen, allowing you to see even more of what's always been there .
"We didn't create any of the phenomenal details and textures," Orleans said. "It was all living in the movie and survived over the years. We were just able to bring out everything throughout the restoration process and it's amazing what new things you will discover while watching it in 3D IMAX."
The IMAX digital re-mastering (DMR) process was developed by the company about 10 years ago, allowing films not shot in that format to get the treatment. The IMAX sound system is also unique and nearly 10 times more dynamic range than standard theaters. There is a frequency response that goes down to 20 hertz, where most others stop at 40, so loud is louder and quiet is quieter. On Oct. 1, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment The Wizard of OZ 75th Anniversary Collector's Edition sets ($105) will be made available. This will include a five-disc set of Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3 and UltraViolet versions of the film, as well as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz documentary, a 48-page hardcover book and collectibles such as a journal and pin set. Items can also be purchased separately.
Which classic films would you want to see in 3D IMAX? Let us know in the comments, below.
Image: Warner Bros.
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