“There was a land of Cavaliers and Cotton Fields called the Old South… Here in this pretty world Gallantry took its last bow… Here was the last ever to be seen of Knights and their Ladies Fair, of Master and of Slave… Look for it only in books, for it is no more than a dream remembered. A Civilization gone with the wind…”
It’s difficult to even think about a time when there was no Gone with the Wind. The images from the film are unforgettable, the quotes from the film are ingrained into our culture. At the time, the world had never seen a blockbuster epic film on the scale that producer David O. Selznick had in mind. All of his struggles have more than paid off as the movie that continues to define Hollywood celebrates its 70th anniversary with a new DVD and Blu-Ray release just as ambitious as the film.
For those of you unfamiliar with the story, Gone with the Wind takes place in Civil War time America. It follows the story of Scarlett O’Hara (the strikingly beautiful Vivien Leigh), the daughter of wealthy plantation owner Gerald O’Hara (Thomas Mitchell, It’s a Wonderful Life). She is privileged, very spoiled, and can have any man she sets her sights on. But she is in love with the mousy Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard) who has just announced his engagement to his cousin Melanie (Olivia DeHavilland). Scarlett and her sisters attend a party at the Wilkes plantation, where she meets the dashing Rhett Butler (Clark Gable). War breaks out soon afterward and ravishes the land that Scarlett knew. Men that she once flirted with are away fighting and dying. Scarlett has to learn to fight for herself and for her family, all the while pursuing Ashley and leading Rhett on. She marries several times before finally giving in and marrying Rhett, even though she’s still not in love with him. Even after all her struggles, she still remains the spoiled girl from the wealthy plantation.
So much more happens in the nearly four-hour long film. It would be difficult to classify the film under one genre as it could easily be an action film, or a war film. But the reason that Gone with the Wind has remained one of the most beloved films of all time is that at its heart, it is a romance. Scarlett, Rhett, and Ashley are all very flawed individuals, which is probably why we still cheer for them. They are like us, despicable and selfish, with an unstoppable desire to get what they want. Melanie is the only character who is genuinely kind and compassionate. She is at times Scarlett’s only supporter, even when Scarlett has wronged her greatly. Scarlett also seeks refuge in her Mammy, played with perfection by Hattie McDaniel, the first black woman to win an Oscar. Mammy is the soul of the movie and remains faithfully with Scarlett, even if she doesn’t always agree with her.
A film of this scale and length would be a challenge for any filmmaker, let alone one in the 1930s without today’s technology. When the film began production, Margaret Mitchell’s book was a bestseller and the film became hot news. Even with David O. Selznick overseeing the project, it’s a wonder the film didn’t collapse under the weight of all of the burdens that it incurred. After the film was cast and production began, two directors came and went before Victor Fleming (who also directed The Wizard of Oz in 1939) stepped in. If such drastic changes had to be made on a film in today’s society, the release would be pushed back. But thanks to David O. Selznick’s supervision, Gone with the Wind remained on track. The film’s premiere was held in Atlanta, and was a three day celebration complete with a ticker tape parade. Gone with the Wind has seen numerous theatrical re-releases and remains the film with the highest ever number of tickets sold.
The year 1939 saw a record number of films that have become classics, such as Stagecoach, The Wizard of Oz, and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. So many of the films during that year have endured and are still just as loved today as they were when they were released. But none can match the scope and grandeur of Selznick’s Gone with the Wind.
This film was painstakingly restored to its original color using an amazing technique outlined in one of the extras. I’ve never seen it look this bright or as clear. The sound is still what I remember, with crackles here and there, but that only adds to the charm of the film. The film is presented in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio, Full Screen.
This is a six disc release. Discs 1 & 2 are the movie, and come in a beautiful case with a picture of Scarlet O’Hara on the front. Discs 3, 4, & 5 are the extras. Disc 6 is a soundtrack CD.
Disc 3 – About the Movie:
The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind – This is a two hour long making of that is narrated by Christopher Plummer. It outlines the entire process of making this film from obtaining the rights to the book to the Oscar ceremony where the film was nominated for 14 and won 9. (02:03:00)
Restoring a Legend – Here is the restoration doc I mentioned earlier. The film was shot entirely in Technicolor and on three separate film reels, one for red, one for blue, and one for green. Over time, the film had deteriorated and skewed from its original alignment. They have developed software to properly align the RGB to make the film brighter and more clear than ever. (17:43)
Dixie Hails Gone with the Wind – An old news reel of the footage from the premiere in Atlanta. (04:01)
Historical Theatrical Short: The Old South – Although it never mentions the film, this short was created to introduce audiences to the culture of the times depicted in the movie. It is actually a very informative short about cotton production in the South. (11:19)
Atlanta Civil War Centennial – This is footage from the 1961 theatrical re-release of the film, again held in Atlanta. David O. Selznick, Vivien Leigh, and Olivia DeHavilland were in attendence. This is video footage, no audio. (03:41)
International Prologue – This was added to the international release of the film to explain the Civil War to foreign audiences. (01:17)
Foreign Language Versions – Different scenes from the film in French, Italian, and German. (02:27)
Theatrical Trailers – The 1939 Announcement Trailer with no shots from the film, the 1961 Civil War Centennial Trailer, the 1967 70 mm Re-Issue Trailer, the 1968 Re-Issue Trailer, and the 1989 50th Anniversary Trailer
Awards – List of the Academy Awards, and NY Film Critics Circle Awards
Disc 4: About The Cast –
Melanie Remembers: Reflections by Olivia DeHavilland – The famous actress who played Melanie Hamilton gives stories from the film, from auditioning for the part, and decisions she made about how her character was portrayed onscreen. (38:40)
Gable: The King Remembered – A documentary about the actor that chronicles his entire life. His young life, how he became an actor, his marriage to Carol Lombard, and his war efforts. A very nice tribute to the iconic actor. (01:05:00)
Vivien Leigh: Scarlett And Beyond – This documentary about the actresses life is hosted by a very ’80s-looking Jessica Lange. This was very fascinating as it shows more of the films that Leigh did and her affair and marriage to Laurence Olivier. (46:05)
The Supporting Players: short documentaries about each supporting character
At Tara – The O’Hara Plantation in Georgia
– Thomas Mitchel as Gerald O’Hara – (02:41)
– Barbara O’Neill as Ellen – (01:16)
Their Daughters –
– Evelyn Keyes as Suellen – (01:00)
– Ann Rutherford as Carreen – (01:18)
The House Servants –
– Hattie McDaniel as Mammy – (03:01)
– Oscar Polk as Pork – (00:54)
– Butterfly McQueen as Prissy – (02:08)
At Twelve Oaks –
– Leslie Howard as Ashley Wilkes – (05:25)
– Rand Brooks as Charles Hamilton – (01:11)
– Carroll Nye as Frank Kennedy – (01:38)
In Atlanta –
– Laura Hope Crews as Aunt Pittypat – (01:28)
– Eddie Anderson as Uncle Peter (her coachman) – (01:38)
– Harry Davenport as Dr. Meade – (01:34)
– Jane Darwell as Mrs. Merriweather – (01:14)
– Ona Munson as Belle Watling – (01:33)
– Cammie King as Bonnie Blue Butler – (00:54)
Exit – 0:44
The Polar Express Preview
Disc 5: Extras
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Presents 1939: Hollywood’s Greatest Year – Various film critics and historians talk about how the planets and stars aligned just right in 1939 creating an explosion of excellent films, narrated by Kenneth Branaugh. Just a few things they talk about: Mickey Rooney, The Wizard of Oz, The Women, Humphrey Bogart, Errol Flynn, Bette Davis, Dark Victory, Confessions of a Nazi Spy, Son of Frankenstein, Frank Capra, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Gunga Din, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Of Mice And Men, Stagecoach. (01:08:20)
Gone With The Wind: The Legend Lives On – This featurette discusses why the film is still so important. Also discusses “Windies”, the GWTW fan club. New for the 70th anniversary release. (32:43)
Moviola: The Scarlett O’Hara War – A movie about casting the movie. Really. The actor who plays Clark Gable is really very good! (01:37:23)
Aside from enough extras to keep you busy for days, this beautiful release also comes with reproductions of letters from David O. Selznick, production photos, a reproduction of a program from the film’s premiere, a hard cover book with glossy production photos, post card size set design drawings, and to top it all off, it comes in a gorgeous red velvet case. Even if you own every other edition of Gone with the Wind, this is a must have for fans of the film. If you’ve never seen the movie before, I would recommend getting it on Netflix first before committing to such a release as this one. But Gone with the Wind remains a must-see.
Warner Home Entertainment presents Gone With the Wind. Directed by: Victor Fleming. Starring: Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Olivia DeHavilland, Leslie Howard. Written by: Sidney Howard. Running time: 233 minutes. Rating: NR. Released on DVD: November 17, 2009. Available at Amazon.com
