|
Starring Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Olivia de Havilland, Leslie Howard, Hattie McDaniel, Thomas
Mitchell, Barbara O'Neill, Laura Hope Crews, Victor Jory, Ward Bond, Butterfly McQueen. Directed
by Victor Fleming.
From the majestic opening credits accompanied by the sweeping Max Steiner score, you know right away you are viewing a film that is special. And the rest of the film doesn't disappoint. The civil war drama has been restored to its original 1.33 to 1 ratio - much thinner a picture than films now a days - and the restored Technicolor pictures are vivid, and the sound clear (save for a few glitches here and there). Unlike many older films which seem dated, Gone With The Wind feels fresh and modern. I hadn't seen the film for a while, and I had forgotten how strong the dialogue was, especially between Rhett and Scarlett. There are some anachronisms - black characters, especially Prissy (who makes up these names, probably the same guy who thought of the name Pacey) are presented in a stereotypical way, loyal and simple. But Mamie is still the funniest and wisest character in the movie. I also forgot how selfish and manipulative Scarlett is. Even when she's helping someone else out, she's calculating how it can be turned to her advantage. Scarlett is willing to use brutalized convict labour in her husband's lumber mill, despite Ashley's and her husband's objections. She certainly is a woman of the 90's - there's a spot for her at Nike. As his wife lays dying, Ashley tells Scarlett he's always loved his wife and not her, Scarlett discovers the revelation she no longer loves Ashley and rationalizes she must have always loved Rhett. How convenient. The cast is excellent - especially Leigh and Gable. But de Havilland, McDaniel, Howard and Mitchell also stand out. Scene after scene, from the charity ball to the dying soldiers lining the rail yards of Atlanta to the sweeping fires through Georgia, is magnificently filmed and choreographed, and add to the majesty of the film. Recently ranked the #4 movie of all-time on the American Film Institute list, it certainly deserves its lofty position. It may not be ranked that high among my all-time favourites, but it is cleary an immensely entertaining movie that remains entertaining to the end of its close to 4 hour length. Classics are meant to be seen on the big screen, not just on video, so if you have a chance, make the effort to go .  |