Great Moments From Cinema - 5

Once Upon A Time In The South
Movie: Gone With The Wind (Selznick International Pictures; 1939)
Director: Victor Fleming, George Cukor and Sam Wood
Screenplay: Margaret Mitchell (book) and Sidney Howard
Major Cast: Clark Gable, Vivian Leigh, Leslie Howard and Olivia de Havilland

Film Synopsis: Set against the backdrop of the American civil war, this is the story of ‘Scarlett’, a pretentious daughter of a plantation owner. Played with great verve by Leigh, she is a little immature and loves the placid ‘Ashley’ (Howard). When he chooses to marry the sweet de Havilland, ‘Scarlett’ plots and schemes to get him back. Gable plays ‘Rhett’ a man who comes in and out of her life and whom she eventually marries. Despite all of his attentions, ‘Scarlett’ never gives up on trying to win back ‘Ashley’ and in doing so looses anyone who'd ever loved her.

My Favorite Moment: ‘Scarlett’ walking on streets of Atlanta, which are lined up with the dead and wounded soldiers of the confederate army.

Why I Like It: ‘Epic’ is a term loosely used to describe some movies in Hollywood. However, this is the one true certified ‘Epic’ film of the 20th century. A grand production in brilliant Technicolor, it has stood the test of time and even today holds the record for the highest adjusted box-office grossing film. Despite it’s carousel of three directors, the movie is overwhelming evidence that a film does not need computerized effects to be a compelling experience.

There are several memorable scenes and though the movie is a love story and a character study of a troubled woman, it is also a great educator due to its depiction of the civil war. The wide shot of ‘Scarlett’ walking through the hundreds of soldiers of the confederate army, who were once confident of a comprehensive victory but now in ruins, is one of the most haunting images from cinema. Plus, ‘Scarlett’, who as a young woman lost her beloved farm in Tara and was thrust into this war, can’t escape the death and destruction which was making its way down south. She is one of those who were never given a chance to grow up completely and this scene is one prime example as to why. Her refusal to give into poverty makes her take some bad decisions, which eventually make her life most miserable.

Clark Gable is sensational as a man whose desire is to possess ‘Scarlett’ more than actually love her. He does believe that some day she may love him, but at the end when the most famous dialogue in movies is uttered, “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn”, we are all nodding in unison. Even when he kisses ‘Scarlett’ while they are fleeing the burning Atlanta, the bright color of the sky reflects their tumultuous relation rather than any passion. Vivian Leigh gives a career performance and richly deserved the Academy award. She plays to perfection the role of a spoilt girl who may just think that she knows what love is, but is actually just scared of being alone. Perhaps, what ‘Scarlett’ truly loves is her farm and thus the fantastic final shot of camera panning back to show her on the farm with the evening sky. This is a flawless film in all aspects and the best overall production that I have seen. ‘The most magnificent picture ever’ screamed the posters. 67 years later, no one will disagree.