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Fantastic Journey to Oz (2017) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Fantastic Journey to Oz (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language: 2017 · 82 mins · Russian; Loading streaming availability…
Directed by: Vladimir Toropchin, Darina Shmidt
Starring: Konstantin Khabenskiy, Dmitriy Dyuzhev, Yuliya Rudina, Sergey Shnurov, Mikhail Khrustalev, Yakov Petrov

A power-hungry sorcerer named Urfin schemes to rule Magic Land, seizing the Emerald City and renaming it Urfinville with an army of wooden soldiers. His plans are disrupted by Dorothy's unexpected arrival. To return home, she must join forces with the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and a courageous Lion to defeat Urfin and uncover the secrets of his past.

Fantasy Adventure Family Animation Cast, crew & box office

On this page (10)

1 Where to watch
2 Characters explained (7)
3 Character relationship map
4 Where & when it takes place
5 Themes & meaning (4)
6 Character & meaning questions
7 Dreams & reality explained
8 Movie threads
9 Movies like Fantastic Journey to Oz
10 Every angle

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7 main characters · contains spoilers

Fantastic Journey to Oz Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Fantastic Journey to Oz (2017), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

Urfin Jus (Konstantin Khabenskiy)

A power-hungry puppet master who discovers he can bend living wood to his will using magical powder. He proclaims himself leader over Munchkinland and marches toward the Emerald City with a growing army of wooden soldiers. His ambition drives him to manipulate others, even seeking love and loyalty through the silver slippers. In the end, his plans unravel as the protagonists turn his soldiers against him.
- 👑 Antagonist
- 🧠 Ambitious
- 🪄 Magic
Bear (Dmitriy Dyuzhev)

A living bear who becomes Urfin's ally and enforcer. He shows loyalty and strength but is not the most strategic. He participates in battles and helps in critical moments, like attempting to douse fires and protect the group. His presence highlights how unlikely partnerships can affect the odds.
- 🐻 Loyal
- 🛡️ Protector
- ⚔️ Fighter
Ellie (Yuliya Rudina)

A brave girl who arrives in Munchkinland via the silver slippers and leads the team through danger. She uses resourcefulness to outwit wooden soldiers, frees captives, and keeps hope alive. Her compassion helps unite the heroes and motivates them to reach the Emerald City. Her actions ultimately help restore balance to Oz.
- 🗺️ Courage
- 🤝 Leadership
- 🧭 Adventure
Tin Woodman (Dmitriy Bykovskiy-Romashov)

A sentient tin woodman revived by magical means who becomes a pivotal ally. He is briefly fooled by an impostor scarecrow and later restored, rejoining the true heroes in the defense of the Emerald City. His resilience shows how friendship and belonging can revive a being made of metal and wire. He fights to protect his new friends and home.
- ⚔️ Warrior
- 🛡️ Loyal
- 🪵 Wooden
Scarecrow

The genuine scarecrow is captured by Ruf Bilan and replaced by an impostor, which tests the heroes' trust. He later aids in exposing the impostor and coordinating the group’s efforts to free Elllie and others. His cunning and knowledge help guide Ellie and the Tin Woodman toward the Emerald City.
- 🧠 Intelligent
- 🤝 Teamwork
- 🧭 Guidance
Ogre

A dangerous creature who holds Ellie and Toto in a hut, providing a perilous obstacle for the protagonists. He is tricked and attacked by Ellie and Toto, complicating the escape.
- 👹 Villain
- ⚠️ Danger
Crow

A clever crow who accompanies the group and interacts with Urfin and the others, delivering important information and aiding in the plan to outwit the usurper. His presence adds a trickster element and a sense of guidance during the journey.
- 🗣️ Messenger
- 🤝 Ally

Last updated: October 29, 2026 at 14:23

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8 characters · 8 connections · contains spoilers

Fantastic Journey to Oz Character Relationship Map

Who is connected to whom in Fantastic Journey to Oz: family, love, friendships, rivalries and hidden ties, colour-coded. Pick a character to see their side of the story, or a connection to see what brings two characters together.

Drag to move · Ctrl/⌘ + scroll to zoom

Last updated: October 29, 2026 at 14:23

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Setting

Where and When Does Fantastic Journey to Oz Take Place?

The setting of Fantastic Journey to Oz (2017): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Location

Munchkinland, Emerald City, Oz

Locations in the story include Munchkinland, the Emerald City, and the Golden Brick Road, all part of the magical land of Oz. Munchkinland is depicted as a colorful village of small residents, while the Emerald City stands as a gleaming capital of power and wonder. The Golden Brick Road connects these key places as heroes journey toward the Emerald City and beyond.

🗺️ Worldbuilding
🏰 Adventure
✨ Magic

Last updated: October 29, 2026 at 14:23

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4 major themes

Fantastic Journey to Oz Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Fantastic Journey to Oz (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

Power

Urfin Jus uses magic powder to animate wooden soldiers and declares himself ruler of Munchkinland, steering a path toward the Emerald City. His ambition shows how power can corrupt and become an end in itself when love and loyalty are leveraged as tools. The struggle highlights the tension between tyrannical control and collective resilience. Ultimately, power without consent is challenged by unity and courage.
Friendship

Ellie, Toto, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and even the reformed wooden soldiers forge an unlikely alliance to resist Urfin's takeover. Friendship enables trust across living beings and wooden beings. This unity helps them outsmart imposters and pursue a shared goal: freeing the Emerald City from oppression. The story emphasizes that solidarity can triumph over greed.
Courage

Ellie volunteers to lead the perilous journey and confront danger; The Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, and Tin Woodman demonstrate bravery in battles and traps. Courage is shown as a collective trait rather than a single hero. Even when captured or faced with impossible odds, the group uses wit and solidarity to persevere. Courage ultimately leads to reclaiming the Emerald City.
Magic

Magic powder animates Urfin's wooden army, but the film also uses Gingema's book and silver slippers to shape fate. The interplay between magical artifacts and mechanical threats like the robot shows a blend of fantasy and invention. The slippers create desires that drive actions, raising questions about consent and responsibility. In the end, magic is a force that must be guided by virtue to restore balance.

Last updated: October 29, 2026 at 14:23

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Character & theme questions

Fantastic Journey to Oz Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Fantastic Journey to Oz (2017): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does Fantastic Journey to Oz take place?

The movie takes place in the magical land of Oz, featuring locations like Munchkinland, the Emerald City, and the Golden Brick Road that connects them. Munchkinland is depicted as a colorful village of small residents, while the Emerald City serves as the gleaming capital that Urfin seeks to control.

oz setting
munchkinland
emerald city
golden brick road
locations

Q2

What are the main themes in Fantastic Journey to Oz?

The movie explores four key themes: Power (how ambition corrupts and the tension between tyrannical control and collective resilience), Friendship (unlikely alliances that triumph over greed), Courage (shown as a collective trait rather than individual heroism), and Magic (the interplay between magical artifacts and mechanical threats, raising questions about consent and responsibility).

themes
power
friendship
courage
magic
meaning

Q3

Who is Urfin Jus in Fantastic Journey to Oz?

Urfin Jus is the main antagonist, a power-hungry puppet master who discovers he can animate wooden soldiers using magical powder. He seizes Munchkinland, renames the Emerald City 'Urfinville', and seeks to rule all of Oz. His ambition drives him to manipulate others, even seeking love and loyalty through the silver slippers.

urfin jus
villain
antagonist
villainous character

Q4

Who is Ellie in Fantastic Journey to Oz?

Ellie is the protagonist, a brave girl who arrives in Munchkinland via the silver slippers. She leads the team through danger, using resourcefulness to outwit wooden soldiers and free captives. Her compassion helps unite the heroes and motivates them to reach the Emerald City to restore balance to Oz.

ellie
protagonist
heroine
main character

Q5

What time period is Fantastic Journey to Oz set in?

The movie does not specify a concrete historical time period. It takes place in the timeless magical world of Oz, similar to other adaptations of L. Frank Baum's universe, with no modern or historical anchoring.

time period
era
setting
oz timeline

Q6

What is Munchkinland like in Fantastic Journey to Oz?

Munchkinland is depicted as a colorful village inhabited by small residents. It serves as the first location Ellie arrives in and becomes the initial target of Urfin's conquest, establishing him as a threat before he marches toward the Emerald City.

munchkinland
oz location
village setting

Q7

Who are the main characters in Fantastic Journey to Oz?

The key characters include Ellie (the heroine), Urfin Jus (the villain), the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Cowardly Lion, a Crow, and a Bear who serves as Urfin's ally. These characters form opposing alliances as they battle for control of the Emerald City.

main characters
cast
heroes
villains
ensemble

Q8

What does Fantastic Journey to Oz say about power?

The movie explores how power can corrupt and become an end in itself when love and loyalty are leveraged as tools. Urfin's tyrannical rule is ultimately challenged by unity and courage, suggesting that power without consent cannot withstand collective resistance.

power corruption
tyranny
ambition
control

Q9

Who is the Tin Woodman in Fantastic Journey to Oz?

The Tin Woodman is a sentient tin character revived by magical means who becomes an ally to Ellie. He is briefly fooled by an impostor Scarecrow but is later restored and rejoins the heroes to fight for the Emerald City, representing themes of friendship and belonging.

tin woodman
tin man
character
ally

Q10

What kind of movie is Fantastic Journey to Oz?

Fantastic Journey to Oz is an animated Russian fantasy adventure film from 2017, aimed at families. It features whimsical magical elements, talking animals, and animated wooden soldiers, with a fast-paced linear quest narrative and a happy resolution.

genre
animation
family movie
fantasy adventure
russian film

Q11

What role does magic play in Fantastic Journey to Oz?

Magic is a central force in the movie, primarily through magical powder that animates Urfin's wooden army. The silver slippers and Gingema's book also shape the characters' fates. The film explores how magic must be guided by virtue to restore balance, raising questions about consent and responsibility.

magic
magical artifacts
silver slippers
enchanted items

Q12

Who is the Scarecrow in Fantastic Journey to Oz?

The Scarecrow is a classic character from Oz lore who appears in this movie. He is captured and replaced by an impostor, which tests the heroes' trust. He later helps expose the impostor and coordinates efforts to free Ellie and others, using his cunning and knowledge to guide the group.

scarecrow
character
oz character
impostor

3 realities · 3 crossings · contains spoilers

Fantastic Journey to Oz Reality Map: Dreams & Worlds Explained

Ellie's ordinary home world and the magical land of Oz are separate realms linked by the silver slippers, which transport their wearer between worlds. The slippers carry Ellie into Oz, later hurl a giant robot into an unspecified random world, and finally return Ellie home when the Emerald City crowd sings the return spell.

WhoDashed: not certain

Click a reality · drag to move

Read the realities and crossings as text

Real world

Ellie's Home World

Ellie's ordinary world, where she discovers the silver slippers in her room and where she ultimately returns.
Fantasy world

Land of Oz

A magical realm containing Munchkinland, the Golden Brick Road, and the Emerald City, home to Munchkins, talking animals, and animated wooden beings.
Unknown · not certain

Random World

An unspecified world to which the silver slipper's magic teleports the giant robot during the final battle.

How the realities connect

Way in: Ellie's Home World → Land of Oz, Silver slippers transport Ellie to Oz

Ellie puts on the silver slippers found in her room and is transported into the magical realm of the Munchkins.
Way out: Land of Oz → Ellie's Home World, Return spell brings Ellie home

After the crowd sings the return spell in unison, the slippers' magic finally works and Ellie returns to her own world.

When: After the robot is defeated and the crowd sings the return spell
Way out: Land of Oz → Random World, Thrown slipper teleports the robot

Ellie throws the remaining silver slipper at the giant robot, and the slipper's magic teleports the machine to a random world, ending its rampage in Oz.

When: During the final battle for the Emerald City

Movie threads

More Movies Like Fantastic Journey to Oz, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Fantastic Journey to Oz tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Magical Good vs Evil Quests like Fantastic Journey to Oz

Colorful adventures where a band of heroes must defeat a magical tyrant. If you enjoyed the classic battle against Urfin in Fantastic Journey to Oz, you'll love these movies. This section features similar family-friendly fantasy films where brave heroes embark on a clear-cut mission to stop a power-hungry sorcerer or ruler, filled with magical creatures, hopeful themes, and triumphant endings.

adventurous
magical
heroic
hopeful
thrilling
playful
Tone: whimsical, hopeful
Pacing: fast, action-oriented

Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a straightforward 'good vs evil' structure. A villain seizes power in a magical realm, disrupting its peace. A hero, often an outsider or an ordinary person, is drawn into the conflict and gathers a team of quirky, loyal allies. Their linear quest involves overcoming obstacles set by the villain, leading to a final confrontation that restores order and highlights themes of friendship and courage.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared commitment to a lighthearted, adventurous tone, a fast pace that maintains excitement, and a narrative centered on a unambiguous magical conflict. They provide a cohesive experience of heroic fantasy that is thrilling yet safe and ultimately uplifting.

A Wizard's Tale movie poster

A Wizard's Tale

2018

The Magic Roundabout movie poster

The Magic Roundabout

2004

Fantastic Journey to Oz movie poster

Fantastic Journey to Oz

2017

Disenchanted movie poster

Disenchanted

2022

A Simple Wish movie poster

A Simple Wish

1997

7 Dwarves: The Forest Is Not Enough movie poster

7 Dwarves: The Forest Is Not Enough

2006

Alice in Wonderland movie poster

Alice in Wonderland

2010

Hoodwinked Too! Hood VS. Evil movie poster

Hoodwinked Too! Hood VS. Evil

2011

Found Family Adventures like in Fantastic Journey to Oz

Journeys where a lone hero finds courage and friendship with a unique team. Fans of Dorothy teaming up with the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion in Fantastic Journey to Oz will appreciate these selections. Here you'll find movies where the central joy comes from a group of distinct, charming characters bonding on a shared mission, emphasizing themes of friendship, loyalty, and collective courage.

friendship
heroic
hopeful
adventurous
quirky characters
teamwork
Tone: hopeful, playful
Pacing: fast, with character moments

Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern begins with an isolated or displaced main character. Through the course of a journey, they meet a series of unique individuals, each with their own quirks and strengths. As they travel together, they evolve from a mere group into a true family, learning to rely on one another. Their combined talents become the key to overcoming the central conflict, proving that teamwork and friendship are the real magic.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their focus on the emotional arc of building a team. They share a light emotional weight, a playful and heroic mood, and a pace that allows for character bonding moments amidst the action. The similarity lies in the heartfelt dynamic between the central group of adventurers.

The Magic Roundabout movie poster

The Magic Roundabout

2004

Missing Link movie poster

Missing Link

2019

In Search of the Castaways movie poster

In Search of the Castaways

1962

The Magic Faraway Tree movie poster

The Magic Faraway Tree

2026

Latte and the Magic Waterstone movie poster

Latte and the Magic Waterstone

2019

Fantastic Journey to Oz movie poster

Fantastic Journey to Oz

2017

The Magic Pudding movie poster

The Magic Pudding

2000

Guardians of the Lost Code movie poster

Guardians of the Lost Code

2010

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Journey Back to Oz movie poster

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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz movie poster

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

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The Wizard of Oz movie poster

The Wizard of Oz

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The Wizard of Oz movie poster

The Wizard of Oz

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The Steam Engines of Oz movie poster

The Steam Engines of Oz

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The Wizard of the Emerald City movie poster

The Wizard of the Emerald City

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His Majesty, the Scarecrow of Oz movie poster

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Every angle

Fantastic Journey to Oz (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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