Gone With The Wind- What do you think of it?

[teacake]

I consider it a perfect film. There is not a single line in it that doesn't serve a purpose and illustrate a character. I've seen it about 7 times on the big screen.

I hate Melanie she needs to kick that milksop to the curb.

I still find Scarlett rather intimidating

[stj]

Scarlett O'Hara is all about triumph of the will. "I will never go hungry again" and "tomorrow is another day" are parallels, not ironic contrasts. They're the fadeout scenes for a reason.

It's true there is a dramatic irony throughout the whole movie in that Scarlett thinks she's in love with Ashley. So, unlike much (most?) drama ironic readings can at least be contemplated.

But there's never any irony in the movie's infatuation with Scarlett's elemental force. That's what some people love about the character, and why the movie can be so upfront about how truly appalling the character really is. Magnificent bastard, flawed hero, shades of grey, it's a trendy motif, although it's still unusual to apply to a woman. (And more likely therefore to grate, instead of being appreciated.)

[teacake]

The "upfront"ness as you call it never fails to impress.

[Kirkman1987]

teacock wrote:

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I hate Melanie she needs to kick that milksop to the curb.

I know what you mean, although I can't bring myself to ever hate someone with the likeness of Oliva De Havilland

Regarding the appeal of Scarlett as a character and the theme of survival in the story, it's of course important to remember that in the 30's a lot of the audience could relate all too well to the story because of the depression.

[BORU]

Read the book, saw the movie and while Scarlett was not everyone's cup of tea I do believe the actress captured the character better than anyone could have. As to the sequel Scarlett (TV mini-series) Joanne Whalley and Timothy Dalton... Oh Lord love a duck! Mitchell must have been rolling in her grave because that thing went here, there and everywhere. Sadly Ms. Whalley is no Vivian Leigh but much like a train wreck I had to watch it till the end.

[Sci]

What do I think of Gone With the Wind?

Well, I dunno. I suppose I should ask myself how I would feel about a tragic romance focusing on the Nazi guards at a concentration camp during World War II. Since a romance about Confederate slavers is pretty much just as disgusting.

[doubleohfive]

Sci wrote:

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What do I think of Gone With the Wind?

Well, I dunno. I suppose I should ask myself how I would feel about a tragic romance focusing on the Nazi guards at a concentration camp during World War II. Since a romance about Confederate slavers is pretty much just as disgusting.

I'm don't think you got the point of the film.

[Hound of UIster]

No he understood the film perfectly.

Sci wrote:

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What do I think of Gone With the Wind?

Well, I dunno. I suppose I should ask myself how I would feel about a tragic romance focusing on the Nazi guards at a concentration camp during World War II. Since a romance about Confederate slavers is pretty much just as disgusting.

Very true.

[doubleohfive]

Perhaps that's what the film is about on a superficial level, yes. But as has been demonstrated in the ongoing discussion of this thread, there's clearly more going on than just what you and Sci walked away with.

[Sci]

doubleohAHHHHHH!!!!! wrote:

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Perhaps that's what the film is about on a superficial level, yes. But as has been demonstrated in the ongoing discussion of this thread, there's clearly more going on than just what you and Sci walked away with.

I'm sure plenty's going on there. I just think none of it matters in the face of the fact that it romanticizes slavers.

[doubleohfive]

Sci wrote:

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I'm sure plenty's going on there. I just think none of it matters in the face of the fact that it romanticizes slavers.

You must really hate Star Wars then, as it romanticizes terrorism.

[Sci]

doubleohAHHHHHH!!!!! wrote:

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You must really hate Star Wars then, as it romanticizes terrorists. Right?

Star Wars doesn't romanticize terrorists. The only acts of terrorism in the Star Wars films are acts of state terrorism -- the destruction of the planet Alderaan by the Galactic Empire, for instance. The Rebel Alliance never attacks civilian targets.

ETA:

Confederate slavers deserve no films romanticizing them, ever. These people were violent, murderous oppressors who in a just world would have been tried for crimes against humanity.

[doubleohfive]

Fair enough. Terrorism was the wrong word to use. How about warfare? Either way, the point of the matter is there's a lot more going on in Gone With The Wind. I'm not telling you you are wrong for not seeing it because you can't get over the glorification and romanticism of slavery, I'm just saying that not everyone has that problem and can see beyond it for what the underlying point of the film is.

[Sci]

doubleohAHHHHHH!!!!! wrote:

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Fair enough. Terrorism was the wrong word to use. How about warfare? Either way, the point of the matter is there's a lot more going on in Gone With The Wind. I'm not telling you you are wrong for not seeing it because you can't get over the glorification and romanticism of slavery, I'm just saying that not everyone has that problem and can see beyond it for what the underlying point of the film is.

It is my contention that the glorification and romanticism of slavery overshadows whatever else might matter and be good in the story, and that these elements should never be treated as anything other than the most important elements of the story. They distinctly mark Gone With the Wind as a work of racist propaganda designed to minimize the suffering of those held prisoner by slavers and to glorify the lives of their oppressors. This invalidates everything else that might be good about the film, just like Triumph of the Will's glorification of the Nazi regime invalidates everything else that might be good about that film.

[doubleohfive]

Sci wrote:

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It is my contention that the glorification and romanticism of slavery overshadows whatever else might matter and be good in the story, and that these elements should never be treated as anything other than the most important elements of the story. They distinctly mark Gone With the Wind as a work of racist propaganda designed to minimize the suffering of those held prisoner by slavers and to glorify the lives of their oppressors. This invalidates everything else that might be good about the film, just like Triumph of the Will's glorification of the Nazi regime invalidates everything else that might be good about that film.

In your opinion. It is not an invalid opinion, certainly, but it is also not the only opinion, nor should it suggest that those of us who can see beyond your interpretation of the film are somehow condoning the racism (whether implicit or explicit) in the film.