Less Sting, but Still Windy

Rating: 1/10 (3 August 2001)

The facts speak for themselves: a (to date) 62-year-old film; one of the all-time best box office grossers; enjoyed five major theatrical releases, including wide-screen versions; VHS, laser disc, and now DVD transfers--and three major restorations.
Folks are still talking about it: debating its value-- agreeing, disagreeing, agreeing in part but taking exceptions... It's quite a work that David O. Selznick and his superb production company fashioned.

On the purely technical achievement side, there's almost unanimous consent that the film is a historical milestone. After that, opinions are beginning to vary.
There's evidence that some folks today aren't quite as smitten by it as in the 40's through, say, the 60's. They're beginning to take note of some of the sociological implications, as the narrative is told from the perspective of the land-owner/slave-owner/ruling/upper class. The narrative begs the audience to identify and empathize with this aristocratic echelon, and to see the beauty and grace of this society through the land owner's eyes.
Well, some folks aren't completely buying that perspective any more. They're starting to think about the sweat, tears, and broken lives upon which this aristocracy has built its so-called genteel world. They're also beginning to embrace characters and situations untold here -- while applauding such efforts as Alice Randall's 2001 spinoff/parody ("The Wind Done Gone") to at least help set records straight.
Of course, there are many tales told from the perspective of the ruling class, whose power has come from the enslavement and domination of others. So it really depends upon how the viewer tends to see things. One has a feeling, though, that GWTW will continue to be viewed with an increasingly suspicious eye, as years pass.
There's also a feeling that it will remain a "classic," being a genuine marking point in cinematic history as to how films were made. It's technical influence is still felt today, and many audience members are still captivated by the total sweep and power of its superb production values.
So, the Wind's still heartily blowing, and there's every indication it will continue to do so for some time to come.