A timeless film of a romance set in a time long passed

Rating: 10/10 (31 October 2009)

The film "Gone with the Wind" is a classic romance film which has been the corner stone of romance movies since its release in 1930. The torrent affair between Scarlet O' Hara played by Viven Leigh, and Rhett Butler played by Clark Cable is at the center of this film which is set in the midst of the Civil War. The film portrays the sensation of grace, honor and defeat of a time, which is gone forever. Gone with the Wind gave the world the term "Frankly my Dear I don't give a damn", a statement of frustration which has transcended generations.
Gone with the Wind begins at Tara, the plantation of Scarlett O'Hara's parents in 1861. At its onset, the theme begins to develop by casting Scarlett as a very selfish and self centered demanding person. Scarlett is a privileged woman, residing at Tara a southern plantation, with all the titles and social requirements befitting a Southern Belle of the time. It is Scarlett's persona that drives the film, her character so strong it at times forces the other characters around her to succumb to her will, all of course except for Rhett Butler.
As the film quickly moves into the Civil War Scarlett is faced with the burden of running a large southern plantation without the male labor required of the time. Largely, due to the civil war the plantation begins to degrade and the glamor of the plantation quickly fades away. Between the needs of the military and the raiders, the plantation and Scarlett loose more of their glamor. Scarlett's selfishness is the determinate factor, driving her to survive the time and endeavor to return Tara to its original glamor. The reality is that it was not as much Tara but Scarlett's original glamor that was import.
Upon the return of Rhett Butler Scarlett finds herself in a dilemma with nothing suitable to wear to the occasion. It was then she pulls down the drapery, turning to Mammy to have a dress suitable for the occasion out of the material. This act symbolized the depth of commitment that Scarlett had to returning to her previous status.
Rhett Butler and Scarlett have a torrent relationship. Both of them are coy and centered on their individual needs. Despite this they are in love in their own way with each other although frustrated with the relationship. The relationship of Rhett and Scarlett portrayed in the film has much the same feeling as in Casablanca. Each depicting a want to return to what was rather than what is.
Throughout the film the use of lighting brings emotion and feeling to scenes. In one particular scene the red setting sun is seen behind Scarlett as she proclaims "as God is my witness I will never be hungry again". The lighting helps to provide a feeling of determination resulting from the desperation of Scarlett's human condition. The lighting gives it a more dramatic feeling and gives depth to her statement.
Angles are used throughout the film to focus the viewer's attention to specific elements within the film. Of particular favor with Gone with the Wind is the footage of the cover where Rhett and Scarlett are engaged in a passionate embrace and kiss. Another scene is the view of the injured from a civil war battle the camera view at an angle higher than the filed and at some distance.
The film Gone with the Wind is a passionate romance which is depicts the turbulent love affair of Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara. It is a classic which has withstood the test of over seventy years since its release. It is still today sought out by film viewers for its depiction of a time of glamor that has long passed, and of the passion of two people as fresh as this day.