Throughout the history of cinema, few movies have been quite as influential and iconic asThe Wizard of Oz, and it’s a fantastical story that has been reimagined time and time again. From the magical narrative, to its awe-inspiring visuals, Victor Fleming’s 1939 interpretation of L. Frank Baum’s story is undoubtedly the definitive version ofThe Wizard of Oz, and from it, The Wicked Witch of the West emerged as one of the most fearsome and most memorable movie villains of all time. The nefarious, green-skinned harpy is evil incarnate and has fueled the nightmares of audiences for decades.
TheWizard of Ozendingmay hinge on the demise of the titular character after his deceptions are revealed, but it’s the death of the Wicked Witch of the West that is the biggest cause for celebration, both in-movie and for the audience. However, the Wicked Witch is only a prominentWizard of Ozcharacterin Baum’s first novel, and barely registers in the subsequent 13 books within that world. Digging deeper into those novels, it’s clearthere is one character inThe Wizard of Ozseries who is actually more sinister and threatening than even the Wicked Witch herself.
The Tinman Is Very Violent In The Wizard Of Oz Books
Big Changes Were Made From The Book To The Screen
1939’sThe Wizard of Ozis regarded as timeless, and is largely cherished for its endearing, vibrant tone. The array of catchyWizard of Ozsongshelp cement the film as a family classic, but Baum’s books take a far darker turn, and reveal Tinman to be a much more violent, unhinged character than anyone could have ever imagined.
Thankfully, most adaptations of Baum’s story focus predominantly on his first book — 1985’sReturn to Ozwould be an exception, with many of the morecreepyWizard of Ozmomentscontained in the Disney movie — and Tinman is largely portrayed as a very sweet, tender, and highly emotional ally to Dorothy. Beyond that original tale, though, he is a character who seemingly hasa worrying penchant for mutilation.
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In one iteration of the story, the Wicked Witch sends 40 wolves to hunt down 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 takes an ax and cuts off the heads of every last wolf. Effective as it may be, the image of a bloody and beaming Tinman celebrating his success among a pile of beheaded animals is not exactly the quaint visual that audiences associate with the beloved character.
Casual observers might assume that the violent act was a one-off – the desperate act of a man trying to protect himself and his friends. However, this is not the first or last time Tinman has resorted to dismemberment. In fact,the origin story of the Tinman sees Nick Chopper cut off his own limbs and replace 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 keep him and one of her Munchkin servants from falling in love.
How The Wicked Witch Of The West Has Become The Most Common Villain In The Wizard Of Oz
The Wicked Witch Is Incredibly Iconic
It’s not surprising the Wicked Witch of the West has garnered such popularity (or perhaps infamy) over the years. The character is so impactful in Fleming’sWizard of Ozmovie from 1939, and a big part of that is down to the formidable performance from Margaret Hamilton, who imbued the character with such a terrifying intensity and sneering hatred for Dorothy that it’s hard not to completely buy into her as a villain for the ages.
In the modern era,the Wicked Witch, or Elphaba, has gained further prominence thanks toWicked. The Broadway show put Dorothy’s nemesis front and center, and in focusing onThe Wizard of Ozcharacter inWicked, she becomes someone audiences could better understand and even empathize with. Now, with the release of the movie version ofWicked, even more people will get to 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 well beyondThe Wizard of Oz, even if she wasn’t ever the most important or dangerous character in the books. She may have flying monkeys and witchcraft on her side, but that’s no match for a Tinman wielding an ax, it seems.
The Wizard of Oz
Cast
Based on Frank L. Baum’s book of the same name, The Wizard of Oz follows young Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) as she’s swept away to the magical land of Oz. Upon arriving, she falls afoul of a witch, then enlists the help of a scarecrow, a tin man, and a lion in order to find the Wizard and get home to her family.
