Throughout the history of cinema, few films have been as influential and iconic as The Wizard of Ozand it’s a fantastic story that has been reinvented countless times. From its magical narrative to its awe-inspiring visuals, Victor Fleming’s 1939 interpretation of L. Frank Baum’s story is without a doubt the definitive version of The Wizard of Ozand from it, The Wicked Witch of the West emerged as one of the most fearsome and memorable movie villains of all time. The nefarious green-skinned harpy is evil incarnate and has fueled the public’s nightmares for decades.
THE Wizard of Oz The ending may hinge on the titular character’s demise after his deceptions are revealed, but it’s the Wicked Witch of the West’s death that is the biggest cause for celebration, both in the film and for the audience. However, the Wicked Witch is just a prominent figure Wizard of Oz character in Baum’s first novel, and barely registers in the 13 subsequent books of that world. Digging deeper into these novels, it becomes clear there is a character in The Wizard of Oz series that is actually more sinister and threatening than the Wicked Witch herself.
Tinman is very violent in the Wizard of Oz books
Big changes were made from book to screen
1939 The Wizard of Oz It is considered timeless and widely appreciated for its captivating and vibrant tone. The variety of captivating Wizard of Oz The songs help cement the film as a family classic, but Baum’s books take a much darker turn and reveal Tinman to be a much more violent and unbalanced character than anyone could have imagined.
Fortunately, most adaptations of Baum’s story focus predominantly on his first book – 1985. Return to Oz would be an exception, with many of the scariest Wizard of Oz moments contained in the Disney film – and Tinman is largely portrayed as a very sweet, tender, and highly emotional ally of Dorothy. Beyond this original story, however, he is a character who apparently has a worrying trend towards mutilation.
In one iteration of the story, the Wicked Witch sends 40 wolves to hunt Dorothy and her friends, but Tinman, leaning on his past life as a lumberjack (aptly named Nick Chopper), deals with the problem the only way he knows how: he Take an ax and chop off the heads of all the wolves. Effective as it is, the image of a bloody, beaming Tinman celebrating his success among a pile of decapitated animals isn’t exactly the quaint look audiences associate with the beloved character.
Casual observers might assume the violent act was isolated – the desperate act of a man trying to protect himself and his friends. However, this is neither the first nor the last time Tinman resorts to dismemberment. In truth, Tinman’s origin story has Nick Chopper cutting off his own limbs and replacing them with metal. Still, in his defense, Nick only does this because the Wicked Witch put a spell on his ax in an attempt to stop him and one of her Munchkin servants from falling in love.
How the Wicked Witch of the West Became the Wizard of Oz’s Most Common Villain
The Wicked Witch Is Incredibly Iconic
It’s no surprise that the Wicked Witch of the West has gained so much popularity (or perhaps infamy) over the years. The character is so impactful in Fleming’s story Wizard of Oz 1939 film, and a large part of that is due to Margaret Hamilton’s formidable performance, who imbued the character with such a terrifying intensity and mocking hatred for Dorothy that it’s hard not to completely believe in her as a villain for good.
In the modern era, the Wicked Witch, or Elphaba, gained even more prominence thanks to Evil. The Broadway show put Dorothy’s nemesis front and center, and by focusing on The Wizard of Oz character in Evilshe becomes someone the audience could better understand and even empathize with. Now, with the release of the film version of EvilEven more people will witness Elphaba’s descent into evil.
Love her or hate her, there’s no denying that the Wicked Witch of the West’s legacy has expanded far beyond The Wizard of Ozeven though she was never the most important or dangerous character in the books. She may have flying monkeys and witchcraft on her side, but it looks like that’s no match for an axe-wielding Tinman.