A gorgeous Technicolor epic that has stood the test of time

Rating: 8/10 (10 November 2008)

"Gone with the Wind" is a film that needs no introduction. I mean, who isn't familiar with the quote, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn"? Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara are household names and the film itself is regarded as a timeless classic more than seventy years after its initial release.
One part of the film's enduring appeal is its stars. Vivien Leigh, besides looking absolutely stunning, delivers a top-notch performance which won her an Oscar. Another well-deserved Oscar went to Hattie McDaniel in the Supporting Actress category. In winning that award she beat out Olivia de Havilland who turned in an excellent performance herself. Finally, let's not forget Clark Gable who received a Best Actor nomination for his efforts.
The film's look is simply breathtaking, being absolutely drenched in sumptuous Technicolor. It's no wonder that the film won Oscars for cinematography & art direction, not to mention an honorary award to production designer William Cameron Menzies. Director Victor Fleming (with uncredited assistance from George Cukor and Sam Wood) deftly used this palette and wound up earning himself an Oscar. The Max Steiner score (which was nominated but lost to "The Wizard of Oz") was voted by the AFI as the second best film score of all time. I wouldn't rate it quite that highly but I have to admit that the main theme is exemplary and the sheer volume of music over the film's running time is impressive.
The story is compelling but I can certainly imagine today's audiences finding the nearly four hour length somewhat arduous. Another factor in the enjoyment of the story will be the sensitivity to the racial matters inherent in the source material. Personally, it didn't bother me since, while the film does romanticize the old South, it didn't strike me as suggesting that it was ethically excusable. In any case, while the plot is interesting on its own, it's the characters that really bring the movie to life. Scarlett & Rhett are of course iconic as one of the definitive screen couples but the characters of Ashley Wilkes and his wife Melanie are also fascinating.
Ultimately, while the unadulterated romance of "Gone With the Wind" makes it a movie that is likely to appeal more to a female audience, there's no question in my mind that, whether you are male or female, this is truly an essential film. If nothing else, watch it to find out precisely why Clark Gable doesn't give a damn.