0
0
Many movie buffs and historians have called 1939 one of the best (if not the best) years in film. It’s the year that saw the release of classics like The Wizard of Oz, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and Stagecoach. But this monumental year’s highest-grossing film—and also the Oscar-winning Best Picture—was Victor Fleming’s Gone with the Wind, a beloved classic that’s still well worth the time commitment.
The epic Civil War story stars Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara, a spoiled Southern belle who lives on a sprawling plantation called Tara. Though the men around her talk of nothing but the possibility of war with the North, Scarlett only cares that the man she loves, Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard), is about to announce his engagement to his bland cousin, Melanie Hamilton (Olivia de Havilland).
When the war takes Ashley away, Scarlett goes to Atlanta to be with Melanie. While she’s there, she reconnects with Rhett Butler (Clark Gable), an arrogant gentleman from Charleston, who spoils her with expensive gifts, hoping to win her heart. But as the war threatens to take away everything that matters to her, Scarlett has more important things in mind, and she finds herself doing whatever it takes both to survive and to support her family and her beloved Tara.
Let’s face it: it’s pretty much impossible to do justice to an epic, four-hour classic in just a few hundred words. It’s hard to discuss the characters, the relationships, the romance, the themes, and the historical context of this unforgettable film—especially since all of these topics have been discussed in great length over and over again for the past 75 years. And there’s so much going on here—so many stories, so many layers—that, no matter how many times you watch it, you’ll catch something new and different each time.
Maybe you’ll focus on the history—one of my favorite aspects of the film. Gone with the Wind was released just 74 years after the end of the Civil War. And though author Margaret Mitchell was born long after the war, as a native Georgian, she obviously grew up hearing stories about life before, during, and after wartime. And it’s all captured beautifully in the film—the hardship, the destruction, the fight to survive.
Or maybe you’ll focus on the fascinating main character. Scarlett O’Hara is almost like a Civil War-era version of, say, Paris Hilton. She’s rich and stylish and spoiled and shallow—and she’s notorious for it. She doesn’t seem to think of anyone but herself. And she refuses to believe that anyone (or anything) could get in the way of what she wants in life. When adversity strikes, she becomes fierce and ruthless, sacrificing honor and reputation for money. For that reason (among others), she’s often absolutely maddening as a character—to the point that she’s sometimes difficult to watch—but that’s also what makes her (and her story) interesting: you never really know what she’ll do next.
Or maybe you prefer to focus on the romance. After all, Gone with the Wind is probably best known for Scarlett and Rhett—for their turbulent romance. It’s the story of two similar people who seem to be made for each other—but they’re simply too proud to admit it. Rhett is determined to remain a lone wolf, while Scarlett refuses to let go of Ashley. And, as is so often the case, it isn’t until tragedy strikes that they realize what’s truly important.
For each viewer, Gone with the Wind means something different. It’s historical context and fascinating characters and tricky relationships and remarkable performances. It’s a story of love, hardship, war, and desperation. But no matter what it means to you, this unforgettable classic is worth re-watching every so often—even if you have to set aside a couple of nights to make it through. You’ll most likely find that it means something different to you with each viewing.
Blu-ray Review:
In celebration of the 75th anniversary of Gone with the Wind, Warner Bros. has put together a remarkable collector’s edition Blu-ray release. The four-disc set (three Blu-rays and a DVD) includes everything that a die-hard fan could ever want to know about this time-honored classic—hours upon hours of historical commentaries, documentaries, making-of features, trailers, and so much more. It’s like a massive digital scrapbook—one that would take up entire bookshelves if collected in print form.
Inside the box, you’ll also find a few extra treats: a music box, an embroidered handkerchief, and a 36-page book, Forever Scarlett: The Immortal Style of Gone with the Wind: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. Written by fashion designer Austin Scarlett (you may remember him from the very first season of Project Runway), this picture-packed book explores the film’s unforgettable style—from its historical inspiration to its ongoing influence on modern fashion.
The Gone with the Wind Blu-ray collector’s edition is nothing short of spectacular (with a price to match). So if you know someone who absolutely loves the film, be sure to pick up this set for the holidays.
