Gone with the Wind

One of the most magnificent, elaborate, and monstrous stories ever told. This is mainly thanks to the perfect camera, which can impress even today with one long movement from Scarlett's detail to a wide shot of hundreds of wounded, and thanks to the heavy-duty music that seats you in your seat during any intense scene. I'm just sorry that I have to wade through so many unnecessary lines in the final fatal half-hour, and even talkative Prissy deserved to be almost cut out. However, the main burden naturally lies on the main acting duo. Visually beautiful Vivien Leigh sometimes exaggerates a gesture or overly contorts her face, but Clark Gable is Rhett Butler as if tailor-made and I'm sorry that the first half doesn't give him as much space as he deserves. His cocky smile and charmingly indulgent look fit the story perfectly, and the increasing drama in the closing moments adds a taste of absolute fatalism. The South against the North is simply old-school romance. Not only with a story that takes your breath away and breaks your heart, but also with a longing for old times full of brave men and proud women. (12/08/2007)

Hollywood melodrama of the 1930s in full swing, with spectacular Da Vinci-like scenery, impressive orchestral music, delightful overacting and lots of passionate romantic gestures and dialogue. But most importantly, cinematically, it’s an admirably mature and full-bodied work, visually accomplished given the resources available and surprisingly engrossing and thought-provoking considering the kitschy storyline. In the first half, the film works as a very realistic (mostly emotional) reconstruction of the American Civil War, and together with the female protagonist we have the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of that time. The second half, in contrast, is a typical product of "hard romance" with all the aforementioned flair, but importantly, even this passage, entirely devoted to the psychological level of the demanding relationship between the two protagonists, does not lack anything that every connoisseur nowadays imagines under the Gone With the Wind label. And then there’s the two stars: the beautiful and charismatic Vivien Leigh, who instantly won my viewer's favour, and the charmingly easy-going Clark Gable, who would have got me through the four hours even if the film itself wasn't as charming and timeless in its delivery. But I have to stick with 4*, because it's really incredible and mostly deliberate kitsch.. :-) In its time it would have been a sure 100%. (07/15/2014)

A monumental and epic piece of work which still massively impresses visually today, its technical quality being long decades ahead. A movie of which you wouldn’t have guessed the birth date. Four hours embellished with filmic splendour to the point one wouldn’t reasonably want to miss any minute of it. A genuine old Hollywood with everything this label can evoke! (07/26/2020)

The length of this film was truly extravagant, yet the creators managed to deftly trim the source material so it wouldn't spiral into an eight-hour marathon. Having read the book version, I must say they succeeded in capturing the author's primary intention. I found myself enthralled by Vivian Leigh's brilliant portrayal of that initially spoiled, self-centered brat who gradually evolved into a self-centered, pragmatic Machiavellian. It was obvious that it's an old film, but I wouldn't have guessed it was eighty-three years old. It worked for me. / Lesson learned: If I were a Southern civilian, I would not have waited around for Sherman's arrival. (03/18/2022)

A magnificent film, no doubt about it, but there are moments that are not so easily bearable and can be annoying after years. The set design is amazing, no doubt about it, but the acting performances lag a bit in some moments. Especially in the second part, when even the dramatic moments are not brought to perfection, as would be desirable. It will always be a great film, but I had the feeling that it would take a lot for it to truly be amazing. (08/26/2014)