Opened: December 15, 1939

Directed by: Victor Fleming

Starring: Thomas Mitchell, Barbara O’Neil, Vivien Leigh, Evelyn Keyes, Ann Rutherford, George Reeves, Fred Crane, Hattie McDaniel, Oscar Polk, Butterfly McQueen, Victor Jory, Everett Brown, Howard Hickman, Alicia Rhett, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland, Rand Brooks, Carroll Nye, Clark Gable, Laura Hope Crews, Eddie Anderson, Harry Davenport, Leona Roberts, Jane Darwell & Ona Munson

An epic film with a runtime nearing four hours, it’s no wonder than Gone with the Wind is often considered one of the greatest films of all-time.

Southerner Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh) actively pursues a romance with Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard) even after he marries his cousin Melanie Hamilton (Olivia de Havilland). Living through the Civil War and the Reconstruction era, Scarlett marries Rhett Butler (Clark Gable), but still holds feelings for Ashley.

The film shows its age now – especially with the over-the-top acting seen in films of this time – but still holds strong. Scarlett, while a strong lead, is often whiny.

Leigh and Gable have great sparring skills, but it’s Hattie McDaniel who steals every scene she’s in. This role led her to become the first African American to win an Academy Award.

Final say: You’ll give a damn. ★★★★☆