The Wizard Of Oz: 5 Things The Movie Changed From The Book (& 5 That Stayed The Same)

One of the first cinematic masterpieces is The Wizard of Oz (1939). It received universal acclaim on release, critical praise that has continued to this day. The movie is based on a 1900 book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by Frank L. Baum. Not many know, however, that he actually wrote 14 books about the land of Oz, but only the first book graduated to cinema.

Baum’s work was drastically different from the movie in many ways, from the backstory of the Winged Monkeys to the texture and color of Dorothy Gale’s shoes. At the same time, there were several elements that MGM retained for the silver screen. Here are a few of each.

10 CHANGED: Dorothy Is Happy On The Farm

During her life on the farm, Movie Toto bites a neighbor, Miss Gulch. Being a nasty person in general, she demands that the poor dog be put to sleep. She even tries to kidnap Toto, but he manages to escape and make his way back home. None of these events happen in the book; in fact, Dorothy finds farm life rather pleasant, although it’s it a slightly harsh one.

Instead of creating a complicated backstory (Dorothy running away with Toto) the book just has her living peacefully with her Uncle Henry and Aunt Em on their farm, until a tornado takes her away.

9 STAYED THE SAME: Dorothy Travels To Oz Via Tornado

When a tornado strikes her Kansas farm, Dorothy, Toto and her entire house is transferred to Oz (while her aunt, uncle and several farm-hands take shelter in the storm cellar.)

The scenes play out in an almost identical fashion in both works, although the movie has a few extra tidbits like watching Gulch riding her cycle slowly morph into a witch flying a broom. The reference here implies that the various characters Dorothy comes across on her trip are merely reflections of people she knows in real life.

8 CHANGED: The Land Of Oz Is Very Real

Unlike the technicolor dreamscape displayed on the silver screen, the book version of the Land of Oz is far from being imaginary. In the film, Dorothy wakes up in her bed, with several members of her Uncle’s farm around her. She realizes that each person is a symbolic representation of different aspects of her dream.

On the other hand, Book Dorothy actually goes to a place called Oz, staying there for months at a time. In fact, when she finally returns home, she discovers that the farmhouse has already been rebuilt (in the movie, it is clearly depicted as destroyed.

7 STAYED THE SAME: Dorothy Kills The Wicked Witch Of The East

The movie has audiences believe that Dorothy’s accidental murder of The Wicked Witch of the East is a metaphor. It signifies that her hatred of Miss Gulch is so extreme that she desperately wants her dead — and her fever dream gives her that fantasy.

Although this is not true for the book, the narratives around the event play out identically. Dorothy’s house does land on the cruel dictator of Munchkinland, killing her. Further, the magical shoes Dorothy obtains did once belong to The Wicked Witch of the East.

6 CHANGED: Dorothy’s Slippers Are Actually Silver

One of the major alterations in story is the fact that Dorothy’s gorgeous ruby slippers were only included because MGM wanted to display the full vibrance of technicolor. Instead, they are made of silver, and are said to shine brighter than the moon.

Another feature of the slippers is that they are immune to ambiguous thoughts about missing home. Instead, Dorothy has to clearly state her specific destination, then tap her heels three times before any teleportation could be achieved.

5 STAYED THE SAME: Dorothy & Friends Travel To The Emerald City

Glinda tells Dorothy that the only person in the land who can help her return is the Wizard of Oz, residing in the incredible Emerald City. On her way there, she comes across a rusty Tin Woodman, a trapped Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion.

These characters seek the traits they think is lacking in them, a heart, a brain, and courage, respectively. Together they travel to Emerald City, where they plan to request the Wizard to grant their wishes.

4 CHANGED: The Wizard Has Four Different Forms

The live-action adaptation displayed the gang meeting the Wizard, who takes the form of an enormous, ghostly head surrounded by mist (and explosions of fire to indicate his temperamental mood). In the book, the Wizard meets each of the four characters separately, so he can create the illusion of true power in their minds.

Through the magic of special effects, the Scarecrow perceives him as an attractive lady, the Cowardly Lion sees a burning globe, and the Tin Woodman beholds a monstrous creature. However, Dorothy’s vision of him matches the one seen in the movie. More importantly, the story was made less dark for audiences. Instead of asking for the broom belonging to The Wicked Witch of the West as he does in the film, he simply demands her murder.

3 STAYED THE SAME: Glinda Helps Dorothy In Her Journey

In either version, Glinda remains Dorothy’s guardian angel, the perfect beauty who wields gentle magic. It is she who suggests that Dorothy “borrow” the slippers owned by the recently deceased Wicked Witch.

At the end, the group meets Book Glinda in her hillside castle, and movie Glinda just appears at the Munchkinland party. But in both cases, The Good Witch is the one who explains the magical properties of Dorothy’s slippers, telling her that they are her only ticket home.

2 CHANGED: The Winged Monkeys Are Unwilling Captives

While the Winged Monkeys onscreen are violent minions of The Wicked Witch of the West, on text they are under duress, being forced to serve the Witch. This is because she possesses the magical golden cap, which allows her to command the Winged Monkeys to do her bidding.

Furthermore, there are limits placed on the enchantment: She cannot give them more than three orders before the spell breaks. At the conclusion of the book, Glinda returns the Golden Cap to the monkeys, so they might free themselves from the curse forever.

1 STAYED THE SAME: The Wizard Gives The Heroes What They Asked For

After successfully carrying out the mission given to them by The Wizard, the friends return to Emerald City to get their rewards. The Wizard is ultimately revealed to be a fake, but he offers them exactly what they always wanted – even though the items each character receives differs between the sources. What’s more important, though, is what they represent.

The Scarecrow gets a diploma (his head filled with pins, needles and bran in the book), the Lion gets a military decoration (originally “liquid courage”), and the Tin Woodman receives a heart-shaped pocket-watch (previously a stuffed silk heart). However, the three of them instantly understand what their gifts actually represent: that they already possessed the traits they sought after all.

About The Author

Ajay Aravind
(429 Articles Published)

In real life, Ajay disguises himself as an academic, mainly writing textbooks for children — who all hate him for making their lives more miserable. He also writes about TV and film, strewing his opinions across the internet to see if people care (they don’t). You can find him @stain_dprinc_ss on Twitter.

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