Plot: What’s it about?
MGM’s monumental film about the fall of the Old South is no less breathtaking today as it was upon its initial release back in 1939. That it stands the test of time this incredibly is a testimony to virtually every aspect of its inception, execution, and near-impeccable production value. For all the fruitless attempts at re-creating a film in the vein of the long lost Hollywood epic, Gone With The Wind stands today as a film as cherished as any, arguably outreaching in classic status films the likes of Ben-Hur and that other indispensable Fleming cultural staple of the same year, The Wizard Of Oz. So just what is it that makes this such an enduring piece of cinema after nearly seven decades? There’s no simple answer to that question, but this is only the case because there are far too many reasons to list here in three brief paragraphs. The short and easy explanation is that the film simply breathes with life. Colors, sounds, and overall atmosphere simply transcend the screen. Performances are top notch. Even the score is a legendary achievement. There is not a false beat or awkward transition to be found in the nearly four hour film.
To paraphrase Leonard Maltin’s video guide, “If not the greatest film ever made, but it’s certainly one of the greatest examples of storytelling ever filmed”. I contend to this day that, while Scarlet may get her strength from Tara, this movie has always gained its through sheer craft of storytelling. Though not always about a subject that lends itself to edge-of-your-seat excitement, this is one of the most well-paced films ever made. Much must be said for a film of this vintage that holds up so well today, especially when said film is really little more than a bloated soap opera set in historic times. It takes quite a steady hand to put together a piece like this that consistently holds fast to its audience through literally generations of drama, and yet Victor Fleming did just that. The irony is that, as it seems to be with all films destined for future greatness, the movie was riddled with production problems and almost didn’t get made at all, and Fleming wasn’t even the film’s original director.
Gone With The Wind has had its share of releases. Back in the days of VHS tapes, one could pick up the film for a cool hundred bucks if you were willing to fork over the dough. And for that, you got a box with two tapes inside that housed the film – and nothing else. Later on, if you had the finances to support your obsession, you could pick up the film in a special edition CAV laserdisc offering that split the film up every half hour or so (ouch). There was even an ill-conceived attempt at releasing a widescreen version of “Gone With The Wind” on the obsolete twelve-inch platters. The problem is, the film wasn’t shot for widescreen! My, how times have changed. Now you can watch the film on a shiny, five-inch disc with one intermission, dramatically improved visual and audio quality, and loads of worthwhile supplements. And all of this at a substantially reduced price. The first release of the film left a lot to be desired as it contained virtually none of the extras fans had been clamoring for for years.
Video: How’s it look?
One of the most celebrated productions in Hollywood history, Gone with the Wind finally makes its debut on 4K, giving Warner Bros. the opportunity to revisit a film whose spectacular production design and three-strip Technicolor photography have made it a home-video showcase for decades. This new edition features a freshly remastered presentation with HDR, including Dolby Vision, and arrives with some mighty big shoes to fill following the film’s already impressive Blu-ray releases.
Photographed using the three-strip Technicolor process, Gone with the Wind offers a wealth of visual detail and color that make it an especially promising candidate for the format. From Scarlett O’Hara’s elaborate costumes and the lavish interiors of Tara to the sweeping vistas of the Southern landscape, the production’s visual richness has always been a major part of its appeal. The added resolution should provide an opportunity to appreciate the fine textures, intricate set decoration and photographic detail that can be lost in lower-resolution presentations. In short, it’s good. Sometimes a bit too good as we can see some of the detail in the matte paintings and backgrounds. We’ll give it a pass, though. Suffice it to say that if you’re looking for the most definitive version of, arguably, the most popular movie ever made – you’ve got it.
Audio: How’s it sound?
The original soundtrack for Gone with the Wind is a product of its era, and while it may not offer the aggressive dynamics or enveloping soundstage associated with modern blockbuster productions, Max Steiner’s celebrated score remains one of the film’s most important sonic elements. This 4K release gives the film another opportunity to showcase its original audio presentation, with the emphasis necessarily falling on the clarity of the dialogue, the fidelity of the orchestral music and the preservation of the film’s vintage sound.
Dialogue is the primary focus of the soundtrack, and the performances remain the centerpiece of the listening experience. The voices of Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh and the supporting cast carry the picture through its lengthy running time, with the original mono presentation keeping the dialogue firmly anchored to the screen. Given the age of the recording, some limitations in frequency response and dynamic range are to be expected, but a well-preserved source should allow the dialogue to remain intelligible without introducing distracting noise or harshness.
Max Steiner’s sweeping orchestral score is another major component of the audio presentation. From the film’s iconic main theme to the dramatic musical passages that underscore Scarlett’s personal struggles and the destruction of Atlanta, the score supplies much of the production’s emotional weight. The soundtrack’s limited spatial presentation means that the music won’t spread across the front soundstage in the manner of a modern multichannel mix, but the quality of the original recording and the balance between music and dialogue remain important considerations.
Supplements: What are the extras?
We’ve had countless releases of this on DVD and Blu-ray so there are supplemental features out there that aren’t included here. But we do get a trio of new features that will (or should) compliment any existing versions.
- Gone with the Wind: The Influence that Endures – Film critics and scholars discuss the continued cinematic influence of Gone With the Wind and the film’s enduring place within popular culture.
- Gone with the Wind: Restoring and Preserving an Epic – Get a glimpse inside the detailed processes used to restore the vibrant colors, picture quality, and audio fidelity of a classic with the artists who handled the restoration work.
- Scarlett O’Hara: A Woman Ahead of her Time – Explore Vivien Leigh’s portrayal of Scarlett O’Hara, a trailblazing character far ahead of her time.
The Bottom Line
They don’t make ’em like they used to. And this is probably the most shining example. Gone With the Wind is, adjusted for inflation, is the highest-grossing movie of all-time. It epitomized Hollywood’s Golden Age and is and likely always will be looked at as the standard that films used to hold themselves to. Warner’s new 4K disc adds some new features a new soundtrack and, of course, a new 4K image. If any film should be in your collection – this is it.
