Rating: 
Summary: Mediocre DVD of a Hollywood Classic
Review: Gone With the Wind needs no apology. Not only is the "Saga of Scarlett" one of the most sumptuous and beloved films to date, it takes its place in cinematic history as the single most popular film of all time in terms of number of tickets sold, and all time box office champion when its earnings are adjusted for inflation. Popularity, of course, does not determine artistic merit, yet GWTW is in fact remarkable precisely because it is such a consummate work of art. The film is a captivating exercise in storytelling that refuses to lose its momentum after over three hours in the theatre. Although the focus of GWTW's sentimentality has become poltically incorrect, the heart of the film is stunningly timeless. The very qualities which enable Scarlett to survive the Civil War and flourish in its aftermath, (her selfish determination, her single-minded obstinacy, her willingness to flout traditional social values), are in fact the very self-destructive aspects of her character which lead to the dissolution of her marriage with Rhett Butler. The audience is subsequently presented with an age-old tragic formula in which one's greatest virtues become their own worst enemies, and the acceptance of responsibility comes just a moment too late. This Aristotelian facet to GWTW unites both halves of the movie, (due to this unity, I have never understood complaints that the second half of the film is inferior to the first), and is set within a thrilling framework of astronomic production values. There is an honesty to GWTW, a freshness bound to its lack of naivete. Scenes of amputations, abusive marriages and cynical passions instill it with a stubborn modernity. Scarlett O'Hara wading through a sea of corpses at the depot, her defiant shadow set against the backdrop of Tara, the burning of Atlanta, Rhett Butler disappearing into the mist, all of these images have ingrained themselves into the American psyche. And of course, Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable and Hattie McDaniel deliver some of the finest, nuanced performances ever set down on film. Because Gone With the Wind is a work of genius, (and, like all great art, as immortal as it is controversial), I could not bring myself to rate this DVD less than five stars. HOWEVER, the transfer leaves much to be desired. Picture and sound quality are tolerable, but the most unforgivable thing is the total lack of extras. There is a vertitable cult associated with the making of Gone With the Wind, and a wealth of material fans would be thrilled to explore- who would not enjoy looking over old screentests for the role of Scarlett, secret letters passed between producers, "lost scenes" and abandoned concepts? However, all of these treasures are left out, and the viewer is reduced to praying that one day, a DVD will be released with the appropriate extras. That day has yet to come, (and I suspect the studio hotshots don't give a damn), but with the film's 65th anniversary looming on the horizon, perhaps tomorrow is another day.
Rating: 
Summary: Wait for a letterbox version
Review: If you love this classic film. Do not buy it until it is available in letterbox. The stunning cinematography and is lost with this full-screen "pan and scan" version. If feels like watching TV.
Rating:
Summary: a grand movie
Review: 1939 is often called Hollywood's Golden Year, and with movies like The Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind, it is no wonder. GWTW is based on Margaret Mitchell's book of the same title. This movie has stellar performances by Clark Gable (who plays a scoundrel the way no other actor can) and Vivien Leigh (who plays a strong women in a time when strong women were not admired). The other actors put on a great performance also. This movie is epic in nature. It is an epic tale, with huge epic sets. There is love, loss, betrayal, war, and beauty, all contained within. It is also the top grossing movie of all time (after adjusting for inflation) and one of the most popular movies of all time. Admittedly it is a long movie, but it is so well done that the four hours pass quickly. The movie is full of memorable lines and unforgettable characters. And it is a bit risque for the time. There are some questionable treatments of race, but you have to remember the movie takes place during the Civil War and was made in the 30s. The dvd is a disappointment. It's in a cheap snap case. This edition is not in letterbox, truly a travesty for the type of film it is. A movie this grand should be in letterbox. I wouldn't say that the sound and picture quality is the best, the sound, for some reason, is especially lacking. There are virtually no extra features. Only the trailer and some trivia. And the movie is on both sides of the disk. I'd rather have had a two disc set. There is no commentary (and Olivia de Havilland is still alive), not even by a critic or historian (like Citizen Kane). No documentary. And the original release contained an extra 48 minutes, which should have been on the dvd under deleted scenes. I hope that eventually there will be a special edition that does this movie justice. It's epic, grand, on the AFI's top 100, and won 10 academy awards. Eventually Warner Bros will release an edition that is worthy of the film (as a dvd I would only give it one or two stars, but because it is such a great movie, I can't give it less than five stars, even if the dvd is lacking). Along with Casablanca and Titanic, this is the best love story told. It is a great love story (none of the best love stories have a happy ending) and one of the best films ever made.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie, not so great DVD
Review: "Gone with the Wind" is one of the all time great movies. Unfortunately, this DVD has hardly any extras. This should have been a 2 -or even- 3 disc set. There are so many extras that can and should have been included but aren't.
Rating: 
Summary: Most overrated movie of all time
Review: Okay, why the heck bother write a bad review of this movie? If you think this is a great classic work, you'll likely think I'm a moron that couldn't understand it. Oh well, so be it. I just happened to watch the movie recently, and I just couldn't stand it. Early in the movie, Rhett says to Scarlett, in effect, "you and me, baby, we're a pair of lousy people, you're made for me babe!" So why on earth does anybody care to watch nearly four hours of a couple of lousy people doing really lousy things? I seriously don't get it at all! But Rhett is too hard on himself, he ain't nearly the equal of Scarlett. Four hours of listening to Scarlett whine and cry at the drop of a hat - Christ I needed some earplugs! I'll have to say, the second hour, involving the burning of Atlanta was the best of the movie. In the first hour, we see Scarlett as a spoiled rich brat entirely unprepared for war. In the second hour, we see her, eventually, pull together some amount of strength. She's kicking and screaming every moment, but she does, finally help deliver the child. And we see Scarlett, just before the intermission, give her famous, "with God as my witness, I'll never grow hungry again." So, I'm thinking, hey, I guess Scarlett is going to stop whinning and bawling every damn second. And I figured Scarlett was going to be transformed into a likable character with her war experience to be her impetis to transformation. But NOOOoooo, that's not it at all! What we see is Scarlett continue to whine and cry at every instant, only it is now more calculated. Just designed to get try to get her every whim. The entire second half was just unwatchable. Frankly, I don't give a damn about this most lousy, overrated piece of garbage of all time.
Rating:
Summary: The very definition of 'great film'
Review: Words alone cannot describe the grandness, much less the greatness of this film. Even after 60 years, it's still as outstanding as ever it was.
The story is based on the novel of the same title written by Margaret Mitchell. It's set amidst the impending American Civil War, when the Great South employed negro farm workers (slaves). Vivien Leigh portrays the main character Scarlett O'Hara, the eldest daughter of an Irish farmer. She's the prettiest girl in the county, and has all the men fawning over her. Well, all except the one she really wants. His name is Ashley Wilkes (played by Leslie Howard, who,oddly enough has an English accent wneh they're in the old South of America). But unfortunately he is already engaged to his cousin Melanie Hamilton, Scarlett is determined to get her man, going as far as marrying Melanie's brother Charles in a bizarre attempt to make Ashley jealous.
Throughout the film, she cries over Ashley, ignoring the fact that her perfect man is already in her life. He is Rhett Butler (Clarke Gable), an older man from Charleston with a doubtful reputation which has seen him disowned by his own family. And he loves Scarlett in the way she deserves to be loved.
The making of this film has a much more interesting plot: Clarke Gable and Vivien Leigh were said to have hated each other, the original director George Cukor was fired amidst rumours of his homosexuality, Vivien Leigh fought with his replacement who in turned treated her badly ( telling her to 'get your British arse out here').
But all of that unpleasantness aside, this film is in a class all of it's own. It has it all: drama, romance, comedy, tragedy and action.
Rating:
Summary: The most romantic movie of all time!
Review: I am 14 years old right now. I saw GWTW when I was 10 years old when it was first released on DVD. Not many of my friends have seen this movie, basically because it is a classic. I like classic movies. The DVD quality is great. The picture is very sharp and the sound is pretty well done in 5.1 surround. This movie is awesome! Get it! I warn you the MGM edition has a booklet that contains a main menu shot of more bonus footage, but my copy doesn't have the features. My DVD is a "flipper disc" though. The first side is 2 hours and the second side is about also about 2 hours. Plus, the DVD has less footage, the video has more footage according to the time length. Check it out. Its awesome!
Rating:
Summary: You haven't seen a movie........
Review: ...until you've seen this one. What can be said about GWTW that hasn't already been said? Vivien Leigh has always, in my opinion, never been given enough credit for her acting abilities. The woman was truly gifted with enormous talent. The novel GWTW begins with the line "Scarlett O'Hara was not beautiful..". Well, this is just one point where the movie differs from the book. Viven was incredibly beautiful, and with Scarlett's personality it is easy to see why men drop at her feet. GWTW is a love story, but it is also about so many other things. War, survival, pride, loss, pain, and tenacity just to name a few. Scarlett has or experiences all of these and more. Clark Gable inhabits Rhett Butler so convincingly, it is easy to see why audiences of that generation absolutely demanded that he play the role. You may like Scarlett, or you may hate her, but either way you'll find the story entertaining. The story begins with Scarlett convinced she is in love with Ashley Wilkes. As the story progresses it is easy to see why as he leads her on for years even though he marries his cousin, Melanie Wilkes. A sweet, trusting woman who wants nothing more than to be Scarlett's dearest friend. Rhett Butler seemingly falls in love with Scarlett at first sight, but would of course never admit this to her even though it is obvious to the audience. The film follows these four core characters through the civil war and reconstruction in the south after the war. The scenes between Rhett and Scarlett are always electric whether they are loving or fighting. And even if you don't like Scarlett, you'll find yourself admiring her fiesty courage and determination. There are scenes and lines in this film you will never forget. And that's what great movies are all about!
Rating:
Summary: My all time favorite movie!
Review: Since I first saw this movie at 16 it has been my all time favorite movie. I watched it every time it came on television which would be no less than 20 times. I was so excited when it came out in VHS and when I found that I could order it in DVD I did. I now have a copy in both versions. I find that no matter how many times I watch it there is always something new I learn about the characters. This movie peaked a whole new interest in this era that has yet to die. I am 52 years old and this is still my all time favorite movie.
Rating:
Summary: 2 sided dvd buyer beware
Review: Ok this movie is a classic but this dvd is a stinker. As with several Warner Bros. movies I own it is in a [poor quality] snap case. And the dvd most be flipped over to watch the second half of the movie and it didn't have to be that way. The special features lack also. Buyers you have been warned. This dvd gets one star because zero stars is not an option.
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