What to Know When Watching Gone With the Wind

TCM Host and film scholar Jacqueline Stewart introduces Gone with the Wind, expressing why this 1939 epic drama should be viewed in its original form, contextualized and discussed.

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[thewatcher]

Also, lets not forget, these are movies, not documentaries. This was well explained.

[keim]

Thank you for this. I'm a black man who has always loved this film. I do have issues with it( at times its uncomfortable to watch) but the story still entertains me. Its important that we don't erase the past so thank you for helping me understand a little more about its history.

[ceasey]

I watched Gone With The Wind this weekend. It was excellent.

[Geronimo_Jehoshaphat]

Keep in mind GWTW is told from the perspective of a spoiled insensitive brat who is caught up in a whimsical mirage in which she is startled to learn is not sustainable.

[dfhouse]

EXCELLENT. Disney if you're listening...THIS is how you do it.

[Lumibear.]

I’ve just seen this for the first time, I have to say for the first 5 minutes my jaw was on the floor, wow, but once I got used to all the nostalgia tinted ‘out of date depictions’, I enjoyed the story and spectacle, and as a film buff all the many beautiful matte paintings, too, so I’m glad I got to see it. Historically, I get it’s importance better, now, so I hope it stays available to all.

[milesdoodling]

Actually well said. Much prefer this over the original film being altered in any way.

[CallOSaulTitan]

My family kept watching this movie back home years ago via VCD, and today, my brother and I rewatched it again via HBO Max. It is indeed a timeless movie! One of my favorite of all time, along with One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, GBU, Once Upon a Time Trilogy, Stanley Kubrick Films, Waterfront, Wonderful Life, Chinatown, Citizen Kane, Casablanca etc. I may be just 24 years old, but I really love Old Classic Movies and Music!

[thosewhodig]

Providing context takes more effort than censorship, so good job TCM.

[bo]

Mammy was the smartest, most grounded and intelligent character in the whole movie! The writers were certainly ahead of their time if you ask me.

However it is an abomination how she was treated at the oscars. Even when she actually won it! Disgusting

[alaskacosplay]

I just like Gone With The Wind just for the costumes and Scarlett's strong will because she reminds me of myself when it comes to hardships and what one would do to survive by any means necessary.

[susankeller]

This has long been my favorite novel and my favorite movie. I am 60 years old and white. I was surprised to learn that the some of the young black women I work with who are only in their 20s and 30s love this movie as well. I thought it was a good opportunity to talk about the subject with them. I asked them if they were offended by The point of view represented in the movie. One girl said she always looked at it as a story about Scarlet‘s life and her general self centered approach to most things. Another girl said that there were things that bothered her, especially the way that all the slaves were presented as loving their life, but she still enjoyed the movie. And one girl said she hated how Scarlett slapped Prissy, ( also, she could never bring herself to watch the full movie, it made her angry for what her ancestors had to endure) but her friend said “who DIDNT Scarlett slap?! Melanie, Prissy, Rhett, her sisters, ” It was a good to have an open discussion like that, it gave me food for thought.

[starsimvidz]

I actually think its important to preserve this film, because it honestly helps us understand how revisionist history works, and how it seeps into story telling and mainstream culture.

[bhusar]

This is a great intro. This is a way of honoring a classic film and still talk about the issues with it.

[patwade]

Jacqueline Stewart is outstanding in her conciseness. She is another jewel at TCM.

[Keltster]

IMO, Jacqueline Stewart does a wonderful job explaining the story of the novel and movie without resorting to bias, emotion, or politics. She lays it out very well, its detriments, inaccuracies as well as the film itself as an asset to American cinema.
Well done !!

[jasonsabourin]

Thanks, because I can't think for myself anymore.

[nathanpitones]

Gone with the Wind is one of the most important historical films ever made. It does not need to be censored nor have a disclaimer.

[jenniferlee]

This is our unfortunate history and I want to thank TCM for noting that this film may be uncomfortable, even so, I have always loved it. Fortunately no one in the USA today in 2020 lives a life like Scarlett O"Hara or owns slaves. It is a shameful part of our past and thank God it will stay in the past. The Romans and the Greeks also owned slaves, again that was history, not today in 2020. Most educated people can tell the difference between 1865 (and earlier to the beginning of this country) and 2020. We all need to work towards equality and hopefully now is the time. Thanks again to TCM for this excellent introduction.

[AC-dkog]

A warning was posted at the beginning of Gone with the Wind stating the movie's depictions of race relations — I am Italian and want a warning placed on all 3 of the Godfather movies stating Italians are not murderers.
The Italian race contributed to the world with art, architecture, fashion, opera, literature, design, and films. Not having a warning is a insult to all Italians
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