Gone with the Wind (1939)

VHS COVER/SIDE

Length of film:  238 Minutes 

Rated: Passed   

Genre: Drama, History, Romance

Director: Victor Fleming

Starring: Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Thomas Mitchell, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland,

IMDB Rank: 8.1/10

Part 1 Time:  104 Minutes 

Part 2 Time:  134 Minutes

Where does the first part end? Scarlett (Vivien Leigh) returns to the Tara planation, The south will lose the Civil War, she views the aftermath.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “As God is my witness, they’re not going to lick me. I’m going to live through this and when it’s all over, I’ll never be hungry again. No, nor any of my folk. If I have to lie, steal, cheat or kill. As God is my witness, I’ll never be hungry again.” Scarlett states to herself as she observes the Tara estate following her return.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “Oh, my back’s near broken!” Sullen (Evelyn Keyes) speaks while working the fields.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Jarring, the South is losing the war, Scarlett returns to the Tara planation shocked by the events that have transpired. How will Scarlett embrace these changes?

Which part is better? The film is divided between American Civil War and post American Civil War events. The first part of the film has more action showing the Battle in Atlanta, but the second part continues to explore the Rhett (Clark Gable) Scarlett relationship which continues to question love and loyalty. Due to the deeper emotional themes presented part two is unquestionability superior.

Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Leading Actress (Vivien Leigh), Best Supporting Actress (Hattie McDaniel), Best Director, Best Writing-Screenplay, Best Cinematography-Colour, Best Art Direction, Best Film Editing, Best Leading Actor (Nominated-Clark Gable), Best Supporting Actress (Nominated-Olivia de Havilland), Best Sound-Recording (Nominated), Best Effects-Special Effects (Nominated), Best Music-Original Score (Nominated).

National Film Registry: 1989