In 1900, L. Frank Baum wrote a political satire aimed toward children, known as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.  Inspired by this tale, MGM released a movie in 1939, The Wizard of Oz, which, over time, became one of the most revered films in Hollywood history.  However, inspiration doesn’t mean duplication.  The screenwriters for the film took their liberties in their interpretation of the book, particularly the lead writer Noel Langley, from the ruby slippers to Dorothy’s dream.

After regaining not just awareness, but also analytical skills following my own traumatic brain injury, I released what many have known for years – the film The Wizard of Oz is about brain injury.  Even the National Institute of Health has recognized this connection.  The title of a page on ncbi.nlm.nih.gov is “’The Wizard of Oz’: Depiction of TBI-related neurobehavioral syndrome”.  Of course, Dorothy get trapped in a tornado, which renders her unconsciousness.  That is a brain injury in itself, but, in addition, her three companions on the yellow brick road exhibit key consequences of a traumatic brain injury: confusion, apathy and disinhibition.

It seems Noel Langley had a wealth of experience with brain injury during his youth to prove this point.  Aubrey Langley, Noel’s father, was a strict disciplinarian.  The headmaster at a school in South Africa, Noel’s home country, his inclination to punish through corporal punishment is well-documented.  Noel and his brothers attended this school and, also, one can assume that his father followed this same code of conduct at home.  More than likely, Noel had or knew someone who had a brain injury because of his father’s actions.  (The father may also have had a drinking problem, as evidenced by the fact that, after his father’s death, Noel bragged that he helped kill his father by giving him money for drinks.)

In addition, Noel Langley was a child during World War 1.  Though one tends to think of WW1 as a European conflict that later involved American troops, South Africa contributed approximately a quarter of a million troops to the conflict and was closely allied with the British Empire.  Of the troops who returned, some must have had a brain injury.

One can take from a film whatever lesson they want.  Various institutions that focus on brain injury have declared that The Wizard of Oz is a film about brain injury.  View it this way and the connection will be evident.  Then view it again with no intent except enjoyment.