Gone with the Wind (1939)

reviewed by
Aaron Michaels


GONE WITH THE WIND
**** (G)
Rhett Butler: Clark Gable
Scarlett O'Hara: Vivien Leigh
Melanie Hamilton: Olivia de Havilland
Ashley Wilkes: Leslie Howard

Directed by Victor Fleming. Written by Sidney Howard. Based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell. Running time: 222 minutes. Rated G (although does contain war-time violence, and sexual references).

BY AARON MICHAELS

Gone with the Wind is one of the best films ever made. I have not met a intelligent person who hasn't liked this movie. Ted Turner has decided to remaster this classic for it's 60th anniversary. He cleaned up the picture and sound so that a new generation of people can enjoy this perfect movie.

Gone with the Wind is a soap-operaish epic taking place around the time of the Civil War with the classic character Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh). Scarlett is the most sought after woman in all Georgia and she teases men and makes them do what she wants. She was born into a family that owns a large cotton plantation called Tara. Her father Gerald O'Hara (Thomas Mitchell) expects his daughter to continue work on the plantation after he's passed. This is not Scarlett's intent and she would rather woo a rich beau.

Scarlett is shocked to find that a man, Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard), is not completely in love with her. He is instead engaged to be married the kind and gentle Melanie Hamilition (Olivia de Havilland). Scarlett loves him, at least she thinks she loves him. She sets out to make Ashley in love with her.

At a town party a rich playboy named Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) makes his way into town for a political meeting having to do with the possibility of war. Scarlett is interested in this poker playing handsome man but still wants Ashley. Rhett finds out about her obsession and lightens the movie with some humor about how she acts so whiny about the situation.

When confronted by Scarlett, Ashley says he does love her but won't leave Melainie for her. The Civil War breaks and Scarlett is shocked by how Ashley wants to leave. Ashley leaves and this begins Scarlett's mad quest for him which blocks the fact that she actually loves Rhett.

This is the poorest plot to talk about. The almost 4 hour movie is so long and complex that it would take me about 15 paragraphs to just start the review. I only usually write 2-4 paragraphs for plot to save room for the review. This is the perfect movie to save room for.

This movie is one of the longest films ever made. It's beautiful, full color images entranced audiences in 1939 and still do today. In inflated terms, Gone with the Wind is the highest grossing film of all time by a long shot. It makes much more than Titanic. Compare the $0.40 it would cost to see Gone with the $6.50 who would pay to see Titanic and you will know why it beats the so-called largest grossing film of all time.

After 60 years the film still stays remarkable. The vast shots of war victims and of the burning of Atlanta are some of the best ever and don't show age. Some of the blue screened shots, such as one with Scarlett in Rhett's carriage, do show their age but it's amazing the special effects still look great after 60 years. Let's see how Jurassic Park fares around 2055.

The acting in this film is the just plain perfect. Leigh is wonderfully cast as Scarlett and plays the whiny women great. Gable is the standout of the show though in this Oscar-snubbed performance. He shows in the last hour some of the best acting that has ever been attempted by an actor.

Director Victor Fleming has created one of the most perfect films ever made. It still stands as a wonderful production of romance, action, and self righteousness.


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