Lavish Civil War saga with a scheming but complex Southern belle

Rating: 10/10 (20 May 2006)

This magnificent epic portrays the Civil War, as seen through the famous green eyes of its self absorbed heroine, Scarlett O'Hara. With its expansive panoramas...from the old fashioned barbecue at Twelve Oaks plantation to the spectacular burning of Atlanta by the Yankees...it paints a vivid portrait of the gracious lifestyle of the Old South, the horrific Civil War itself, and its Reconstruction after effects on a society whose customs are literally Gone With the Wind. It boasts colorful scenes, a tumultuous historical setting, lavish costumes (especially one particular green velvet gown), but above all a complex, immortal heroine and an appealing, roguish hero.
Vivien Leigh adds the right touch of charm to her role as the spoiled daughter of a plantation owner, a flirtatious Southern belle who boasts the smallest waist in three counties. I can see Scarlett now surrounded by the Tarleton twins and all her retinue of would be beaux, vying for her attentions at the Wilkes's barbecue. This is a conniving young lady who...fiddle dee dee...simply MUST have her own way and nothing or no one must be allowed to interfere with her plans. Scarlett tends to elicit viewer outrage for marrying a shy, innocent, unsuspecting boy in order to enact revenge on the man who spurns her for a lesser mortal, and for later employing all her feminine wiles on a prosperous older man, betraying her own sister, Suellen, in the process. Not to mention her viewing the Civil War's tragedy only as it affects her own selfish interests, her assorted attempted manipulations of Rhett (the man who truly loves her), and her ongoing betrayal of the trusting Melanie. Even after war devastates her circumstances, Scarlett remains the same inner schemer and the same outward manipulator.
Margaret Mitchell's novel provides a deeper insight into Scarlett, and might tend to elicit a little more sympathy for this selfish heroine who deals with any unpleasantness by 'thinking about it all tomorrow'. Even in the movie, Scarlett is not totally villainous but a three dimensional character who does have her strengths. She has an undying loyalty and passion for her beloved Tara, exhibiting courage, determination, and back breaking labour to protect her home plantation from the Yankees and feed her helpless family. She is fiercely protective of her loved ones, even her sisters who are an annoyance to her, and Melanie who is married to the object of her desire. She does indeed experience growth as a result of all the unfolding events, suffering the loss of the daughter she genuinely loves and eventually coming to appreciate Melanie's friendship...and, alas too late, Rhett's love.
Clark Gable IS that virile, dangerous, and totally endearing rake and scoundrel, Rhett Butler, in the role he was born to play. Can't you just picture Gable's Rhett languishing in a plantation smoking room, enjoying a glass of fine bourbon? His actual film scenes are amazing...chuckling over the antics of the spoiled young belle at the barbecue, scandalously dancing with the young widow, denouncing her manipulative scheme to extract money from him, carrying his wife passionately up those stairs (who can forget?), grieving the loss of his precious little Bonnie Blue Butler, baring his soul to his dear friend Melanie, and finally his legendary 'Frankly, my dear...'
The supporting cast are wonderful as well. Leslie Howard portrays Ashley Wilkes, the bookish idealist Scarlett has set her cap for. Olivia de Havilland is perfect as his sweet, kind, loyal, and unsuspecting wife, Melanie, a genuine lady. I agree with another's comment that Melanie's finest hour is when, loyal to the last, she asks Scarlett to receive guests with her at her sister-in-law's birthday party even though it's rumored Scarlett has been carrying on with her husband. Thomas Mitchell excels in the role of Scarlett's earthy, blustery Irish father, Gerald O'Hara, whose own love of the land lives on in Scarlett.
The black roles are especially well presented. Hattie McDaniell more than deserved her Best Supporing Actress Oscar for portraying Scarlett's large, buxom, disapproving, wise Mammy, the only person besides Rhett who is fully aware of Scarlett's schemes. She is priceless with her red petticoat. Prissy, the young slave girl with questionable knowledge 'bout birthin' babies, is also well drawn with her large frightened eyes and high pitched, shrill voice.
The story's theme of wanting what one cannot have is common throughout humanity, though especially exaggerated in Scarlett. She constantly pines for a man who belongs to another, and once he becomes available, she no longer desires him. The dreary, dreamy, scholarly Ashley is totally unsuited to Scarlett, who continues ungratefully & foolishly unaware of what she already has in Rhett, her true soul mate. Scarlett and Rhett are kindred spirits, both proudly selfish and neither conforming to society. Furthermore, Rhett loves Scarlett with all his heart, despite having full awareness of her manipulative ways. As for Ashley, he seems rather a pathetic & weak character really, in love with his gentle wife but constantly tempted by Scarlett, never firmly discouraging her but instead dully half leading her on for years.
No one should miss this legendary Civil War extravaganza that paints with such a vivid brush that dramatic period in Georgia's history. True, few heroines are more flawed than Scarlett O'Hara, but for all her schemes and manipulations, you cannot help but become engrossed in her fate.