In retrospect, maybe the best ever...

Rating: 9/10 (22 August 2019)

Aug-2019... Time for a late-breaking review from the kid who took a pretty cheerleader to see the first restored GWTW in 1970. I bought the LP Soundtrak with all new simulated stereo sound (wish I still had it-worth a fortune to a collector). Yes, maybe GWTW is the greatest film ever made, esp. now that a wonderful digitally restored version is available on DVD (there is a bluray also, but the DVD is superb).
Surprise! I bought the DVD Scarlett at the same time & watched it first. Pretty good story. The 'back' story of the casting & production of GWTW is the stuff of legends & documentaries. Here's my belated summary:
1) Vivian Leigh and Clark Gable performed magnificently. It was a crime that Gable was overlooked for an Oscar. Both actors were also very attractive in their roles.
2) The photography is stunning-'spared no expense', indeed.
3) I love the first half, but the sequence of tragedies that steadily unfolds in Part 2 always turned me off a bit. We are watching a tragedy rushing to it's conclusion. As my wise older brother once explained it to me: At the end, after Melanie passes away, Scarlett comes sobbing out of that room, and 2 men are waiting-Rhett and Ashley. If she runs to Rhett (which she should), we have a happy ending, and a melodrama. But if she runs to Ashley for comfort, Rhett is done with her-forever. A Greek tragedy. Rhett will survive. Scarlett is a tough cookie, who always believes she can get to tomorrow, and 'tomorrow is another day'. Sadly for Scarlett, her tomorrow, as far as a future with Rhett, had passed. Like the hapless Great Gatsby chasing Daisy, 'it was already past him'.. past HER, in this case.
Anyway, despite the falling action that gets you to the finale, you will really love this new presentation in digital format.