Classic, even if a little skimpy on details

Rating: 9/10 (20 May 2006)

After reading the 1000+ page book, I was excited to see how the movie would interpret it. After all, it's a classic novel, with shocking scenes and beautiful windows to imagination. And Vivien Leigh portrayed a perfect Scarlett (even with the green eyes, though the movie made hers look a bit blue). And Clark Gable was the only person possible to play Rhett Butler. Olivia De Havilland was the spitting image of what I imagined Melly to look like. Leslie Howard held Ashley's grace, dignity, and ignorance. Victor Flenning directed a perfect imitation.
However, I was pretty sad to see so many details left out. The real story of Gerald O'Hara's demise, the two children that Scarlett had with Charles Hamilton and Frank Kennedy, the lost story behind Ellen O'Hara's heartache, India Wilkes's stupid sister, Honey, and Suellen eventually marrying Will Benteen while Carreen went off to the convent over the heartache of losing Brent Tarleton. It goes even to the extent of the outfits Scarlett wore. But honestly, sometimes you can't fit all of the little details in these movies, otherwise they'd go on for monotonous hours. This movie had beautiful sets (Twelve Oaks was gorgeous, Tara was breathtaking, Atlanta was very well done...)
With what they had to work with, the creators of this movie did a marvelous job. It was a classic as special as the book, it was enjoyable, charming, clever and heartbreaking, all at the same time. You would find yourself crying when Scarlett wanted to cry, you felt indignant when she was. The characters were very identifiable and that, in my opinion, next to the set design and directing (and music) is what makes a movie a good movie. :o)