Gone With The Wind (1939) Selznick International Pictures/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Director: Victor Fleming Producer: David O. Selznick Cast: Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland, Thomas Mitchell, Barbara O'Neil, Hattie McDaniel. Awards ceremony: -12th Academy Awards: February 29, 1940. Coconut Grove, The Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, California. Other films nominated for Outstanding Production this year: -Dark Victory. -Goodbye, Mr. Chips. -Love Affair. -Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. -Ninotchka. -Of Mice And Men. -Stagecoach. -The Wizard Of Oz. -Wuthering Heights. Plot summary: Set during the American Civil War in the 1860s, Scarlett O'Hara (VIVIEN LEIGH), the selfish, stroppy brat daughter of a plantation owner (THOMAS MITCHELL) is desperately in love with Ashley Wilkes (LESLIE HOWARD) who rejects her advances and marries his own cousin Melanie (OLIVIA de HAVILLAND). Then comes the War and her Georgia plantation of Tara is ruined. The fickle Scarlett manages to rebuild her life and reluctantly unites herself with Rhett Butler (CLARK GABLE) after some effort on his part but her selfish ways spell an inevitable end for their relationship. Standout scene: Oh my god where do I begin? The final half-hour is just full of drama where everything happens! Bonnie's death, Melanie's deathbed conversation with Scarlett and Rhett's infamous final words before he walks out on Scarlett for ever. But for me it has to be Scarlett's fall down the stairs when Rhett makes the comment "Maybe you'll have an accident". Facts: -The 12th Academy Awards. -The film was nominated for 8 Academy Awards. -Oscar wins for Vivien Leigh (Best Actress) and Hattie McDaniel (Best Supporting Actress - the first black actress to win the award). -This was the third film to win the Best Picture Oscar that starred Clark Gable (the other two were It Happened On Night (1934) and Mutiny On The Bounty (1935). -The first colour film to win the Best Picture Oscar. -Olivia de Havilland stars as Melanie Wilkes. The next year her sister Joan Fontaine starred in (and was nominated for Best Actress) REBECCA, which won the Best Picture for 1940. Vivien Leigh stars as Scarlett O'Hara. The next year her husband Laurence Olivier also starred in (and was nominated for Best Actor) REBECCA. -According to actress Butterfly McQueen (who plays servant Prissy), she was legitimately upset with Vivien Leigh during filming after Leigh smacked her too hard in one scene. -Regular Hal Roach stars appear in the film, including (click link for screenshot): Hattie McDaniel. Personal opinion: Simply put, this is probably THE greatest movie of all time. The hype around it, the production, the casting... and David O. Selznick! The 25 year-old Vivien Leigh is absolutely drop-dead gorgeous, stroppy and vivacious throughout; Clark Gable is handsome and Hattie McDaniel is a joy to watch. Olivia de Havilland is equally brilliant in her role too. The rich Technicolor, the drama and the sheer epic scope of the entire picture is incredible. From the gloriously colourful costumes and Max Steiner's legendary score to the fantastic casting and the art direction and editing, this near-4 hour movie (223 minutes) is perfect. I have to also give credit to Clark Gable in the scene where he carries Vivien Leigh up a flight of stairs in his arms and taking strides of two steps at a time whilst doing so. Impressive. Watching the film again after so many years for this project I had goosebumps during the opening credits. That's how powerful it all is. There will be some who won't share my opinion, and to those people I simply quote a line from Clark Gable in this movie, "I'm sorry if the truth offends you!" The 75th anniversary Blu Ray from Warner Home Video is an absolute must-see. There isn't a single blemish on the picture and the whole film looks immaculately restored and simply beautiful. Did it deserve the Oscar? ABSOLUTELY. In my opinion this was one of the most competitive years for the Best Picture award and with some excellent competition; it was a clear winner in the end. None of the other great films that were nominated could ever possibly have thought they would stand a chance against Gone With The Wind. I mean, let's be serious here! 10/10

Review date: 13 February 2025