A definite classic, but not a very rewarding experience

Rating: 8/10 (10 August 2007)

I have wanted to watch this movie for years, but I only just now got around to it, since its running time of 4 hours made it an inconvenient choice for the family. Now that I have watched it, after 6 or 7 years of waiting, I confess I am disappointed.
The film is beautifully shot with music that is surprisingly good for the 1930's. The acting and directing are great, and all the historical detail and other detail really put you into the Civil War. You feel that you are really there. I especially enjoyed the characters of Mammy the servant and Belle the harum-lady.
It was the themes in the story, however, that disappointed me. Scarlett is one of the most selfish heroines in existence, and Rhett isn't all goodhearted himself. They blunder through this epic, causing a good deal of misery around them. In the end, we learn another "this-is-what-you-should-NOT-do" lesson. Perhaps these lessons are good for us, and perhaps the struggles are relatable, but--good gracious!--did I feel miserable when "THE END" flashed across the screen. The material was way too heavy for its running length; I would have felt a lot less cheated if I had only gotten two hours of it. As it is, the time I spent didn't feel entirely justified.
This is a classic, but not an amazing one. After all, there's a million movies that show people being selfish in love and out of love. But show me a well-made, realistic movie with a "this-is-what-you-SHOULD-do" lesson, and you'll have shown me a DESERVING classic. Such an example would be "Casablanca", made barely a few years after this sprawling epic.
If you haven't watched this film... Don't feel obligated to watch it. Only watch it if you really want to; otherwise, go after another classic that's more uplifting and helpful.