Review of Gone with the Wind (1939) by Afonso A — 03 Oct 2018

Can Gone With The Wind be viewed objectively these days? The depiction of slavery and the American Civil War are definitely problematic to the modern viewer. Watching the glorification of attitudes that are totally socially unacceptable does make at times for some squirming moments and downright angry feelings towards the characters on the screen.

The fact that these pass by without comment or exploration in the narrative is a jarring sign of the age of the movie and it certainly wouldn't happen these days. The rose tinted view of the southern American attitudes of the 1800s is deeply ingrained in the movie and forms the sweeping background to the story of Scarlett O'Hara and her manipulative and turbulent love life.

Besides the romanticised view of a heinous society, the other aspect of this movie that todays audience can't ignore is the hype that surrounded this movie and the search for the woman to play the central character.

Vivien Leigh clawed her way over all others to snare this role and is now immortalised as Scarlett. In fact, this four hour epic is probably the only movie of hers that most people can name. So lets get to the film.

It is magnificent and every second is a glossy masterclass in how to make a classic movie. Very much of its time David O. Selznick produced on of the greatest movies ever with this adaptation of the Margaret Mitchell blockbusting novel.

Leigh's Scarlett is a spoiled and manipulative daughter of a plantation owner who is in love with Ashley (Leslie Howard). He, however is to marry the humble and demure Melanie (Olivia de Haviland) and Scarlett tries every trick in her book to ensure this doesn't happen.

However, when the charming and roguish Rhett Butler arrives on the scene, Scarlett meets someone who can more than match her schemes. Butler, of course was portrayed my the wonderful Clark Gable who delivers possibly the most famous line in movie history when slamming the door in Scarlett's face.

All this melodrama is set against the background of the American Civil War and the collapse of southern society.With its vast cast of extras and sweeping Technicolor vistas this was the most expensive movie ever made and is the quintessential Hollywood blockbuster of the 1930s and 40s.

Everything you need to know about the golden age of Hollywood is encompassed by this movie. Despite the outmoded attitudes portrayed, the story transcends its age and the sheer quality of the film craft shows through.

They just don't make 'em like this anymore.