Probably the Greatest Movie of All Time

Rating: 10/10 (27 January 2003)

If the U.S. had to export one film only to third world/foreign nations to depict U.S. history, and the magnificence of U.S. art, this would be it. Few movies tell a fairly detailed and accurate(covering the siege of Atlanta to blacks in uniform to carpetbaggers) story of the greatest war in the greatest country, with the greatest actors. This is THE epic film, THE American masterpiece, equal to Huckleberry Finn in literary significance. A wonderful, romantic, morality tale wrapped in epic, historic proportion. Hattie McDaniel as Mammy makes us laugh and cry, though she is just the "supporting" actress. (She makes Hallie Berry look like chopped liver!). McDaniel portrays humanity and dignity in African-American slaves/servants - and so, in African-Americans in general. (probably not done much before this). Though GWTW doesn't capture much of the inhumanity and cruelty of slavery, there was a taste of it when Scarlet slaps Butterfly McQueen's character, Prissy. This may have been, in 1939, about all America was ready to publicly acknowledge, but it was an important acknowledgement. And, certainly, a beginning to much future thought, discussion and action. GWTW is so great, on so many levels, it is mind-boggling. Thoroughly enjoyable and shockingly real, with new lessons, each time I watch it. It will never become aged, outdated.