Average Rating: 
Rating:  - One Classic That's Worth The Hype!
The first time I saw Gone With The Wind, I was probably seven years old. While it was hard to grasp the entire meaning of the movie at that time, I knew this was more than just another Civil War film. A few years later, I read the original novel on which this was based. Though there are a few minor details that were changed for the movie, on the whole, this is a great film. The plot follows tragedy after tragedy on the plot of searching for love and trying to escape poverty. The fantastic costumes, unearthly beauty of Vivien Leigh and the charming handsomeness of Clark Gable, the extravagant indulgence of the scenery and brilliant camera angles (such as photographing the shadows during melancholy scenes)all adds to one great viewing pleasure. I've seen the movie well over 50 times by now, and you know what? It NEVER gets old. I can't wait to buy myself this DVD, which includes the original trailers for the film and other extras. A must-own in one format or another.
Rating: - A Classic but it's NOT for everyone!
I used to think that this Hollywood classic was for everyone. However, after reading nearly 300 reviews of the film, I think that isn't true anymore. This movie is NOT for you IF 1) you think a movie must be as historically accurate as a history book, 2) you think a 1939 movie should reflect the values of the 21st century, 3) your attention span is so short that you must only see movies from 90-120 minutes in length, 4) you can only accept politically correct films, particularly in terms of racial issues, 5) you are so DUMB as to think widescreen movies were made before the 1950s (although to be fair, Selznik originally intended to use a special widescreen process for the so-called "burning of Atlanta" sequence but gave up on the expensive idea), 6) you can only accept computerized special effects as they appear in modern films, or 7) your idea of great acting is to be found in slasher or teen films being made these days.GWTW is NOT a documentary on the Civil War period. It is NOT a history of slavery in America. It is NOT a story of perfect people behaving perfectly at all times. It IS an adaptation of a novel written by a Southern woman who, as a child, sat and listened to the stories the old Confederate veterans told about the old days before, during, and after THE war. It IS a love story, probably about the novelist's grandmother, which reflects the attitudes left over from that long-ago time. To criticize this film for so many unrelated issues is silly. It stands on its merits as a masterful film that tells of bittersweet love and lost fantasy. That it succeeds so well is a tribute to the actors and filmmakers of over sixty years ago.
Rating: - A LEGENDARY FILM
The colour is brilliant and clear and the sound is amazing in stereo on the DVD. Vivien Leigh is mesmorizingly beautiful as Scarlett,and her acting is brilliant in her cheeky, honest portrayal of the girl everyone from Lucille Ball to Tallulah Bankhead tested to play for their chance at cinema immortality.I always thought people who did'nt think the young Vivien Leigh a beauty(and I've met some) needed to visit an oculist (however, I thought her beauty was at it's absolute zenith in WATERLOO BRIDGE. Olivia de Havilland does a commendable job as the sweet Melanie (except for the scene where she tells Hattie McDaniel "Oh, Mammy, she's beautiful" referring to Bonnie - she says it with such insincerity that it should have been re-shot! Hattie McDaniel is wonderful as Mammy and deservedly won her Oscar. As a kid, I wondered why Ashley spoke with an English accent; my folks told me because he was schooled in England! Gable is more than adequate as Rhett Butler; the public loved him and demanded Gable for the part. A great fan of Gable's, I like him much better in contemparary rough guy roles; (his "Parnell" was his biggest flop.) Ona Munson was inspired and sterling as Belle Watling (what a shame she was stereotyped to the point of suicide; she was a gifted actress). The burning of Atlanta is a legendary scene in that the take could only be done once. It was refreshing to know Scarlett learned to really appreciate Melanie (Of course I appreciated her -she thought of everyone but herself". The second half of the movie is more dramatic in a soap-opera vein and somber compared with the first, however the set showing Tara in ruins is marvelous; I love the scene where Scarlett gets a glimpse of her beloved home through the moonlight and clouds; it's hauntingly memorable. Harry Davenport is tops as Dr.Meade and Laura Hope Crews is the ultimate flibbertigibbet as Aunt Pitty (Billie Burke was decided against). Butterfly McQueen does her famous Prissy characterization (she drives Scarlett crazy when Melanie's in labor) Never could stand the ostentatious mansion; its gaudy to the point of being grotesque, but I assume that is exactly what it was meant to be!
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