Dir. Victor Fleming, George Cukor, Sam Wood

As far as epically sweeping movies go, spanning decades and intertwining many lives, GWTW is a true gem and genuinely worthy of the hype. Yes, sometimes it is dramatically lacking, however the scenery, the story and the span of it all makes it very enjoyable and satisfying to watch. Not to mention one of the greatest lines ever in the history of movies. Sorry for spoiling. The movie has been out for 78 years.

The scope is astonishing. The achievements of the cinematographer are amazing (for 1939 no less) – live fires on set, huge sweeping crane shots, a hundred extras filling every square inch of frame with bustling action – the frenzy of a Confederacy at the end of its tether. The depiction of slavery is also quite modern for its time – the slaves are a member of the family and object to and criticise Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh is absolutely choice) often. Family heirlooms are even passed down to them – surely all to show the glory of the chivalrous South, taken from this world too young! It’s so interesting to see how America views itself, from Scarlett to the Confederate soldiers, it’s as prideful as ever. Gone with the Wind is a historical artefact as much as it is a great movie.

The character of Scarlett is a whirlwind of shrewd resourcefulness, spoilt cruelty and enough genuine playfulness to make her likeable (just). She wins battles, ploughs fields and takes names (literally three of them from three different guys), however her wins are hard fought and leave her a little emptier each time. She marries her younger sister’s fiancée, ruining their happiness and her own for the security of her family, something that would have been unimaginable to her in Part 1 of the film (the movie is separated in to three acts as well as an intermission), however as the years pass and the acts continue, Scarlett learns about life the hard way, and about sacrifice even harder.

The story is sweeping and epic, with romance, guns, horse chases and fights to boot. The impossibly kind character of Melanie redeems Scarlett in a way the latter could never comprehend – how someone so pure could love a wretch such as Scarlett shows either Melanie’s slight delusion or Scarlett’s hidden treasures – or both. Watch this movie if you want an all-American tale, a love story, a flawed woman and some epic sunsets.

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