Perennial, timeless classic

Rating: 7/10 (17 January 2008)

Perennial, timeless classic and perhaps the most beloved movie of all time is Victor Fleming's 1939 best picture "Gone With the Wind". An epic in every sense of the word, and one that must be viewed with a big audience at the cinema.
Margaret Mitchell's novel, much celebrated in its day, about the Grand Old South at the time of the civil war, is lovingly and lavishly brought to the screen by David O. Selznick, the producer, and a cast of thousands. Vivien Leigh plays the headstrong, manipulative Katie Scarlett O'Hara very well, an attractive young Southern belle who appears to have literally dozens of beaux chasing her hand, as all the while she pines for the one love of her heart that she can't have, Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard). Clark Gable plays the dashing Rhett Butler, a womaniser who says he's not the marrying kind, but is completely taken by the determined young Scarlett. The rest of the cast are very enjoyable also, especially Hattie McDaniel who puts in a wonderful performance as the O'Hara's old mammy, an hilarious turn that is truly superb.
Production values are splendid too, with art/set decoration and cinematography being particularly spectacular, and Max Steiner's music nothing short of grandiose.
Definitely not for the restless or impatient at over three and a half hours, but certainly a must for anybody who calls themselves a movie buff or anyone who loves a sweeping saga of war and romance.
Sunday, August 14, 1994 - Astor Theatre
Best Picture for 1939, "Gone With the Wind" absolutely defines the word epic, and doesn't do a bad job at defining melodramatic either, or sweeping saga or whatever you like.
Clark Gable is positively charming as the dashing Rhett Butler, Vivien Leigh is a true diva, stunningly beautiful and incidentally not a half bad actress. In strong support of these two shining stars are Leslie Howard and Olivia De Havilland, as the sop Ashley Wilkes and the pure-hearted Melanie. Simply outstanding in her Oscar winning role is the O'Hara's shrewd old mammy, played delightfully by Hattie McDaniel.
The superlative technical team have provided some wonderful, extravagant costumes, incredibly convincing sets (Art Directors Lyle Wheeler and William Cameron Menzies) and amazing -for 1939 - special effects. The Atlanta fire is especially impressive.
Director Victor Fleming supplies fine direction throughout, though it is widely accepted that many others helped out (perhaps including producer David O. Selznick). Sidney Howard's screenplay adaptation does justice to Margaret Mitchell's enormous tale of the 'Grand Ole South', making for splendid story telling, though you may want to tackle it in two or three sittings. Max Steiner's music is grandiose, as is the cinematography from Ernest Haller, Ray Rennaham and Wilfrid M. Cline.
Saturday, October 7, 1995 - Video