A flawed but still vital masterpiece.

Rating: Null/10 (13 August 2002)

Gone with the wind is first rate in spite of its obvious flaws.
Essentially it is the story of a woman of enormous psychological power and ambition who finally meets a man who is a match for her. All this takes place against the backdrop of the demise of the Old South during the civil war.
Essentially the Old South is presented as an agrarian civilization that is destroyed by the waves of industrialization from the North. The culture and its traditions, both good and bad we¡¯re entirely destroyed.
Gone With the Wind soft-pedals the horrific realities of slavery. The south is given the glow of a grand and dying better way of life. It is presented as though it were an idyllic paradise. The film¡¯s magnificent baroque cinematography contributes to this effect, who can forget that scene where Scarlett O¡¯Hera stands with her father atop a hill listening to him give a speech about the beauty of devotion to the land that you own. The camera pulls back and we see a magnificent panorama of the white mansion surrounded by the green land and the red glow of the setting sun. The scene is precisely mirrored later on when she looks down on the ruined mansion after the war has struck. We are given a powerful contrast between the civilization as it once was compared to how it is after it has been crushed by war.
Much of the movie¡¯s emotional power draws on its image of the remnants of a thriving culture and civilization slowly decay and vanish. Against that backdrop, we see the passions and lusts of an arrogant and selfish young woman destroy lives.
Vivien Leigh, displaying none of the wary vulnerability she shows in A Streetcar Named Desire, is a woman of iron. She is in love with Ashley Wilkes, a quiet reserved southern gentleman. This love seems most improbable, it is never explained, most likely she wants him simply because he is the least likely human being to return her feelings. Her advances are known, but not objected to by Melanie played by Olivia de Havilland, a gentle ill soul who is supposed to represent the true Christian spirit. To get her hands on Ashley, Scarlett betrays and manipulates everyone in sight. She finally meets her match in Rhett Butler, a dashing, dangerous and brilliant cad, played by Clark Gable, the most lusted after actor of his day. Originally connecting with Rhett in order to drive Ashley mad with Jealousy eventually the two become indispensable to each other. Throughout their years together they are both steadfast partners and opponents each vying for the upper hand in the relationship. All this emotional turmoil takes place, as I have stated, against a background of social and political upheaval that seems to mirror the turmoil in their lives.
Gone with the Wind successfully invokes the feeling of a world entirely different from our own. It really does immerse you in the world of the old south. For that reason the airbrushing of the issue of slavery and the racist depictions of the black characters are unforgivable. Though it is worth noting that despite her stereotypical image, the character of Mammy, played by Hattie McDaniel in an Oscar winning role, is portrayed as having greater intelligence and maturity then her master Scarlett.
Despite these reservations, Gone With The Wind is a cinematic landmark that demand to be seen by anyone with interest in the history of the film.
10/10