A Beautiful Epic

Rating: 9/10 (3 January 2000)

Margaret Mitchell's civil war classic in the immortal film of 1939 has been for a long time now, a firm favourite of mine. Without a doubt, it is one of the greatest adaptions from a novel. One of the greater strengths from the film was the overshadowing of the racist tone of the blacks in the book. Both film and book have painted what seems to be an apparent and truthful portrait of the emerging 1860s America.
Scarlett and Rhett are truly two of the best characters have created. Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable have forever left their mark on these literary legends. It would be hard to imagine anyone but these people in the roles. Despite the legendary Katharine Hepburn's similarity to Scarlett and Bette Davis' uncanny ability to play spoilt belles of a similar nature ("The Cabin in the Cotton", "Jezebel"), the heights of excellence, fierceness and determination reached by Leigh would not be able to be matched. The same could be said for either Errol Flynn or Laurence Olivier in the other role.
Although they almost don't need it, "Gone With the Wind" has one of the best supporting casts a movie will ever have. With Olivia de Havilland as Melanie, Leslie Howard as Ashley, Hattie McDaniel as Mammy and Butterfly McQueen as Prissy, they all contribute highly to making it a better story.
David O. Selznick was responsible for the massive undertaking, bringing life and realism with vivid and splendid technicolour. The restored version is truly a sensation to look at. On the grand scale it was produced, it is sort of difficult to see it barely equaled in his later films of the 40s.
George Cukor was to be the original director of the film, but was fired for supposedly devoting more time to Leigh and de Havilland. Despite my fondness for his works, Victor Fleming made this film eternally, and in its own day, stand out from the other period pieces and creating the unbroken legacy which has not died, unlike some of the other hits of the time.

Max Steiner's score was haunting, which gave a real flavour to the movie. Who can forget the unforgettable last strains of "Tara's Theme"?
Set decoration, costumes and the rest have an eye for detail. The beauty of it all, and its grandeur, is just stunning.
This movie, I found, has just one flaw. Epic length. But it wouldn't be right without it. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
Must see movie for everyone. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 8/10