New Line, Rated G
Directed by Victor Fleming, George Cukor, and Sam Wood
Written by Sidney Howard (only credited writer) based on the book by Margaret Mitchell
Seeing Gone with the Wind on the big screen is one of those things you have to do sometime in your lifetime. Thank God for New Line Cinema, who released the film several weeks ago (but it seemed to be halfhearted, only releasing it in 214 theaters and not making a wider release after it was a success). Anyway, I was finally able to catch it (having to travel 100 miles of course) in the theater, and it was definitely an unmatched cinematic experience. The aspect ratio of the screen is only slightly bigger than that of a TV screen, but a grand film like this deserves to be on a big screen, and the color (newly restored) and clarity of the picture is breathtaking, putting any TV viewing to shame. This new version of the film has been maligned by a few critics, most notably those in Variety magazine, but the majority of critics, myself included, believe that the restoration does more good than harm. It had been a few years since I last saw this film, and so I tried my best to view it as if I were seeing it for the first time, putting its reputation as the greatest epic film ever in the back of my mind. In recent years, many have said that this film was overrated, but there is no doubt in my mind that the recent AFI ranking of # 4 in the 100 Greatest Movies of all time is right on the money. In fact, personally I would put it in 3rd.
The character of Scarlett O'Hara is undeniably one of the best in cinema (probably even literary) history. Vivien Leigh's wonderful portrayal of such a complex character is so strong that it is still remembered almost 60 years later. Only her performance in A Streetcar Named Desire rivals this one as the highlight of her acting career. In the same way, Clark Gable shines as Rhett Butler and his wisecracks are just as effective as they were in 1939. Rhett and Scarlett's chemistry is the standard to which all other screen romances is measured. The supporting characters, especially Hattie McDaniel, the first African American Oscar winner, as Mammy, and Olivia DeHavilland as the kind Melanie Wilkes, are all beautifully performed. Victor Fleming (and the other directors who worked on this project) films the beauty of the old time South majestically. It was very interesting to me that these beautiful shots would be rolled up on the screen to be seen in a wider ratio, and rightly so. The camera follows Scarlett through the plantations of the South and the city of Atlanta, and we see the Civil War and Reconstruction through her eyes, the eyes of a civilian, rather than a soldier as has been seen in many a film. The effect of the war on an average person, especially the losing side, has never been portrayed quite this well, the only possible exception being The Birth of a Nation. No doubt it is a classic, but a lot of it is not historically accurate. In terms of Civil War films alone, only The General rivals Gone with the Wind. Critics have maligned the movie for scenes that today look silly, but I believe it was the intention of Fleming and the others to make these humorous from the beginning. The fact that even the most jaded viewer, spoiled on current films, can be sucked into the story is a testament to its staying power. The comparisons between this film and Titanic, I believe, are ridiculous. Few films have stood the test of time this way, and Titanic has one too many flaws to be remembered as well 60 years from now. Critics have also sometimes dismissed this film as a glorified soap opera, but the idea of a soap opera was barely heard of at the time. If anything, Gone with the Wind defined the soap opera, and it never panders to the audience as much of this afternoon programming is notorious for doing today. Frankly, what more can be said about what is still probably the best known (and highest grossing, when adjusted for inflation) film of all time that hasn't already been said? If you're lucky enough to still have this film playing at a theater near you, see it very soon, because since re-releases are so uncommon today, you may regret it otherwise. ****
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