One of the all time greats

Rating: 10/10 (13 September 2010)

There are racist elements to this movie, because this was a racist time period in America, especially in the South. Not only was the South racist in 1863 but was also in 1936. It would be untruthful to depict it otherwise. Though Hattie McDaniel's role as Mammy was groundbreaking, earning the first Oscar for an African-American actor. And, interestingly, the way Hattie played her role, she was no door mat. She continually stood up to Scarlett and often put her in her place, and she often seemed like she was the only one who had any common sense in the film. Mammy even put Ward Bond in his place. Butterfly McQueen's role as Prissy is very hard to take. But she herself, in later life, said that she was glad she took the role, even though she didn't feel that way at the time. That being said, Gone With the Wind is still a great movie, an epic. Clark Gable had completely perfected his on-screen persona by this film; he was a wise cracking, clever, tough, devil -may-care man who really sort of did care, but just didn't want to let others know that side of himself. Vivian Leigh was amazing-although British, she perfectly captured Scarlett, the head-strong, spoiled and devilish Southern Belle. The whole acting was good all the way around; Howard and De Havilland lend good support. The burning of Atlanta is the climactic scene, along with Gable's movie ending line.