Beyond epic

Rating: 9/10 (1 July 2011)

There are epic films...and then there's Gone with the Wind, the epic of all epics. This is a grand, monumental film. Its place in the history of motion pictures is secure. And so is its place in the hearts of so many millions who have enjoyed it all these years. Many movies are enjoyed. Few are truly cherished. This is one of those few. As new generations continue to discover the film Gone with the Wind just rolls on. It's a movie which will never die. After all, tomorrow is another day.
Who, in 1939, could have imagined as immense an undertaking as what Gone with the Wind would prove to be was even possible? One man could, producer David O. Selznick. He had the audacity to believe he could pull something like this off and by sheer force of will he did it. He went through multiple directors, multiple writers, and a seemingly endless stream of potential Scarlett O'Haras. It was a production unlike anything Hollywood had ever seen, epic in every way. Somehow Selznick managed to pull it all together. Risk big, win big. Gone with the Wind was a monumental risk, it was either going to be an epic disaster or an epic triumph, there was no in between. What a triumph it would turn out to be.
The love affair between Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara is at the heart of Gone with the Wind but the film is so much more than that. It's a long, circuitous journey for Scarlett before she eventually finds herself in Rhett's arms. And what a fascinating journey it is. Scarlett O'Hara is quite simply one of the greatest characters in film history. From the film's opening moments, the sweetness of "Fiddle-dee-dee", all the way to the end Scarlett evolves, grows and changes right before our eyes. She discovers an inner strength, a bravery and resolve she didn't know she had. Along the way, she certainly has her missteps. Her drive and determination lead her to do some things which are unkind at best. And the undying affection she has for the man she truly loves, who is not Rhett Butler, will cause nothing but heartache for all involved. But for whatever foibles she may have you can't help but root for Scarlett O'Hara. Even if you don't mind seeing her get her comeuppance now and again. The ups and downs of Scarlett's life make for one of the most compelling stories ever seen.
Part of what makes Scarlett such a great, memorable character is of course the performance of Vivien Leigh. Perfect. Utterly perfect. One of the greatest performances in the history of film. Scarlett grows and evolves and Leigh traces the journey perfectly throughout. From Leigh's first moment on the screen you can't take your eyes off her. Her stunning beauty is immediately obvious. Her immense talent would reveal itself as the story plays out. Of course Leigh is not the only great performer on display. If you can't imagine anyone but Leigh as Scarlett the same can be said for Clark Gable as Rhett Butler, a true Hollywood legend in a role which suits him absolutely perfectly. There's also the brilliant Olivia de Havilland playing the incredibly good-hearted Melanie, a character who serves as a wonderful counterbalance to the at-times self-centered Scarlett. She may not be as glamorous as Scarlett but it's easy to see why any man who came to know her would fall in love with the wonderfully devoted Melanie. Which brings us to Ashley Wilkes. He marries Melanie and he no doubt loves her. But he has feelings for Scarlett too, trying to deny that would be useless. And Scarlett has more than feelings for him, she has an obsession. Leslie Howard plays Ashley and one minor nitpick with the film is that Howard is probably too old for the role. His performance is fine, he just doesn't fit his part perfectly as Leigh, Gable and de Havilland do theirs. There are plenty of supporting players who add a great deal to the film. Thomas Mitchell, Hattie McDaniel and Harry Davenport are just a few of the key performers in the generally excellent supporting cast which helps to bring this great story to life.
Gone with the Wind is a movie of two halves. The first half, set against the backdrop of the Civil War is probably more dramatic. There's not as much action in the second half but there is plenty to appreciate in this part of the film as well as Scarlett and Rhett finally come together. It's a movie which manages to hold you spellbound for nearly four hours. No small achievement that. The story is wonderfully compelling and it's performed beautifully by the stellar cast. The film looks utterly fabulous, a real Technicolor marvel. The sets and costumes do so much in helping to tell this story, transporting us back to the Old South. Max Steiner's music is another perfectly fitted piece in David O. Selznick's mammoth puzzle. Selznick brought it all together to create a brilliant film which in its day was a monumental achievement and which to this day is still absolutely beloved. A timeless classic which will live forever.