Coming of age stories often come in many forms and can sometimes not even be recognized as such until the very end. Gone With the Wind (1939) is one of these stories because of the way that it acts as Scarlett O’Hara’s (Vivien Leigh) coming of age story that is disguised as a Civil War romance. While she spends most of the film trying to win over the affections of the man she loves, Scarlett is also shown seducing various men into marrying her and helping her achieve what she thinks she needs at the time. It is not until the very end of the film, that the audience is able to see her true maturity as she finally realizes what she wants, having finally grown out of her immature, flirtatious phase. Victor Fleming’s Gone With the Wind uses an engaging romantic plot, an incredible cast, and brilliant state-of-the-art production and cinematography in order to bring Margaret Mitchell’s novel of the same name to life and make it one of the most iconic films in cinematic history.
Gone With the Wind is a film based on Margaret Mitchell’s original novel written in 1936 about the state of the South before, during, and after the American Civil War from the perspective of the protagonist, Scarlett O’Hara. Scarlett begins the film as a young child concerned only with the triviality of life as a Southern socialite, as her story progresses, the audience is able to see a change in her as she is forced to overcome the trials and tribulations of being directly impacted by the war and the dilapidated state of the South, post-war. The film was first released as the United States was preparing to enter World War II which made its subject of wartime struggle very real for Americans at the time. The theme of survival during the harsh reality of war resonated deeply with audiences, making Scarlett and her determination to “never be hungry again” a symbol of perseverance and strength for American audiences (1:43:30). This monologue acts as one of the most important moments in the film as it ends Part I and also highlights the change in Scarlett as she is forced to mature for the sake of Tara and her family’s survival as she becomes the sole caretaker of her family and the farm.
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One of the most essential parts of making a film is understanding the film’s characters and choosing actors that will bring these characters to life in the best possible ways. With the backdrop of the South belonging to her character’s era, Vivien Leigh’s portrayal of Scarlett O’Hara may seem lusty, malicious, and stuck-up, while also demonstrating moments of defiance of the laws of society, and an unquestionable superficiality that matches no other. Her character ultimately acts as the foil character to Olivia De Havilland’s benevolent Melanie Hamilton, a noble woman whose innate goodness acts as the very heart of the story. It is through Melanie that audiences come to realize how horrific most of Scarlett’s behavior is. But Scarlett’s, at times impulsive, determination also leads to her economic independence as she runs her own businesses. Additionally, Scarlett seems to have been written with the women of the 1930s in mind as she repeatedly, and openly, disregards the societal norms of the male-dominated world in which she lives. Unfortunately, despite being admired for her consistent rejection of the confining nature of her society, there is still a desire to see her finally be put down after watching her entire story play out for three hours. The film’s producer, David O. Selznick, thought that it only made sense for Scarlett to be rejected by her true love, Rhett Butler (Clark Gable), after he spent the entirety of the film attempting to win her affection.
A major factor in any film is its use of the camera as well as its cinematography which producer, David O. Selznick, ensured to take advantage of in order to wow audiences. One of the key elements that makes Gone With the Wind the cinematic masterpiece that it is considered to be today is the attention to detail and the breathtaking shots that add a sense of beauty, splendor, and devastation to the already engaging plot. Audiences were amazed by the production’s use of color photography. The varying backdrops of Atlanta burning as well as the sequence in the film when Scarlett is wandering the streets of Atlanta and the camera pulls back to reveal rows upon rows of dying Confederate soldiers to the audience is incredibly powerful and leaves a strong imprint on viewers living in the reality of World War II. Gone With the Wind is a classic example of how cinematography can be used to enhance the drama or general mood of a film. One prime example of this is how the use of burning colors, as well as primarily dark reds, suggest the underlying sexual nature of the film, specifically the sexual tension between Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara. Overall, the addition of technicolor and color photography makes the viewing experience all the more enhanced as colors often add to the already heightened emotions of the film.
Selznick brought Mitchell’s extensive novel to life by applying his era’s altruistic dedication to storytelling in its purest form by utilizing any and all technical means in order to transport audiences to the Civil War South. This devotion to creating the perfect cinematic atmosphere is what makes Gone With the Wind not only cinematically relevant but also historically important. Despite the fact that the film presents a few inaccuracies and moments of contemplation among politically correct audiences, this still makes it great because new viewers of the film can interpret it in new ways and still discuss its relevance today. Gone with the Wind is a testament of the vast history of cinema that continues to provoke passionate discussions of relevancy, issues of underlying racism, and ever-changing relations between genders. The film’s widespread scope and recognition symbolize both the grandeur and problematic nature of the early days of making films in Hollywood. However, like its heroine, all of the film’s errors, along with its magnificent embellishments, persist as an unremorseful time capsule that must be recognized and respected for its resilience.
In conclusion, there are many elements that come together to make a great film into an iconic film. In the case of Gone With the Wind, producer David O. Selznick took an adapted plot and enhanced it by captivating audiences with mind-blowing scenery that takes audiences to Civil War era Georgia and outstanding actor portrayals. It is ultimately the merging of cinematography and acting that has made this film a Hollywood Classic. It is hard to forget Scarlett O’Hara’s famous monologue because of Vivien Leigh’s dedication to the character and also the image of her silhouette against a burning sky as she promises herself and God that she will never be hungry again.
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