Classic(?) Movie Review:
Code: *****=Incomparable, ****=Excellent, ***=Good, **=OK, *=Don't Bother!
This magnificent film blew me away (no pun intended). The story engrossed me, being a "Yankee" I never knew the horror the South faced after and during the Civil War. This film has been called an "epic love story." It is much more than that. It is about a naive plantation girl, Scarlett O'Hara, who has always gotten what she wanted, especially in the way of men, in love with Ashley Wilkes. She is shocked when Ashley marries his cousin, Melanie Hamilton, and enlists in the army. To make him jealous, she marries Melanie's brother Charles, who dies soon after. The now pregnant Melanie becomes ill and Scarlett promises Ashley she will watch over her. The South is losing the war and after bombing Atlanta, the North invades the city. A charming man named Rhett Butler, whom Scarlett has already met (and despises), saves Scarlett, Melanie, the new baby, and Scarlett's slave girl, from the Union soldiers. He brings them to Tara, Scarlett's plantation, where Scarlett finds almost the entire county destroyed, her mother dead, her father gone mad, two sick sisters, and only two slaves left. She takes charge of the house and begins picking the cotton with the help of her sisters. When $300 is needed for taxes, Scarlett makes a plea to the imprisoned Rhett Butler for the money. He says he can't give her any and to get money she marries her sister's beau. She opens a sucessful lumber business in Atlanta. Her husband, Charles is killed and she soon falls in love with Rhett Butler. They marry and have a daughter, Bonnie. Rhett builds her a new house in Atlanta. The ending is sad and surprising, so I don't want to tell you any more. This movie MUST be seen; it is possibly the greatest drama of all time. Vivien Leigh (Scarlett O'Hara) is compelling, Clark Gable (Rhett Butler) is great, and a fabulous supporting cast is headed by Olivia DeHavilland (Melanie Hamilton), Leslie Howard (Ashley Wilkes), Hattie McDaniel (Mammy), and Butterfly McQueen (Prissy) Rating:*****
Sounds from the movie:
Clark Gable as Rhett Butler:
"No, I don't think I will kiss you..."
Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara:
"Fiddle Dee Dee!"
"Oh, if I wasn't a lady..."
"As God is my witness, there not going to lick me..."
Both:
Scarlett:"Rhett, Rhett, but Rhett, if you go, where shall I go, what shall I do?
Rhett: Frankly, my dear,..."
Butterfly McQueen as Prissy:
"Lawdie, we has to have a doctor! I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' no babies!"
Tara Theme
"Gone With The Wind" video
"Gone With The Wind" DVD
"Gone With The Wind" book
Links to other sites on the Web
Official GWTW site
Dawn's GWTW site
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