Gone with the Wind (1939)

Gone with the Wind (1939), directed by Victor Fleming (with uncredited contributions by George Cukor and Sam Wood), is one of the most iconic and controversial films in cinema history. Adapted from Margaret Mitchell’s 1936 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the film captures the emotional, cultural, and physical devastation of the American South during and after the Civil War. It is a sweeping epic of love, loss, and survival, centered around one of cinema’s most complex protagonists: Scarlett O’Hara.

Detailed Summary

The Old South and Scarlett O’Hara’s World

The story begins in 1861, on the eve of the Civil War, in Georgia. Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh) is a spoiled, headstrong Southern belle living on her family’s plantation, Tara. She is obsessed with the gentle and noble Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard), who is about to marry his cousin Melanie Hamilton (Olivia de Havilland). Despite Ashley’s engagement, Scarlett confesses her love to him—only to be rejected.

At this point, Scarlett meets Rhett Butler (Clark Gable), a dashing and cynical blockade runner with a sharp tongue and a scandalous reputation. He becomes fascinated by Scarlett’s fire and independence.

The Civil War and Its Destruction

As the Civil War erupts, the genteel world Scarlett knew collapses. She marries Melanie’s brother Charles out of spite, but he soon dies of illness in the war. Scarlett, now a widow, moves to Atlanta and begins volunteering at a Confederate hospital.

During General Sherman’s siege of Atlanta, Scarlett—now bitter and hardened—escapes the city with a sickly Melanie and returns to Tara. There, she finds her home in ruins, her mother dead, her father mentally broken, and her family starving.

Survival and Transformation

Determined to never be poor again, Scarlett vows, “As God is my witness, I’ll never be hungry again.” This iconic moment marks her transformation from a pampered girl into a ruthless survivor.

She manipulates and marries wealthy suitor Frank Kennedy to save Tara financially. When Frank dies, she finally marries Rhett Butler, believing they are a perfect match in cynicism and strength.

Scarlett and Rhett’s Tragic Relationship

Scarlett and Rhett’s marriage is passionate but deeply troubled. While Scarlett continues to pine for Ashley, Rhett longs for her unconditional love. The birth of their daughter, Bonnie Blue Butler, brings a fleeting moment of happiness. However, tragedy soon follows when Bonnie dies in a horse-riding accident.

Melanie’s death follows shortly after. On her deathbed, she begs Scarlett to take care of Ashley and expresses faith in Scarlett’s goodness. This moment shatters Scarlett’s illusions. She finally realizes that she never truly loved Ashley, only the idea of him, and that Rhett was the one she truly loved all along.

Movie Ending

After Melanie’s death, Scarlett rushes home to confess her love to Rhett. But it’s too late. Rhett, emotionally broken after years of rejection and the death of Bonnie, has had enough. In the film’s most famous scene, Scarlett pleads with him to stay:

Scarlett: “Rhett, if you go, where shall I go? What shall I do?”
Rhett: “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”

Rhett leaves her. Devastated but undeterred, Scarlett returns to Tara to regroup. She refuses to give up and vows to win him back someday, ending the film with her defiant internal monologue:
“After all, tomorrow is another day.”

This ending is both heartbreaking and empowering. It closes with Scarlett alone, yet resolute. The film does not offer the romantic closure audiences expect, but rather a complex, emotionally charged finale that underscores Scarlett’s enduring resilience.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Gone with the Wind does not feature any post-credits scenes. As a classic film from 1939, it predates the modern trend of including extra scenes after the credits. Once the words “The End” appear, the film concludes entirely.

Type of Movie

Gone with the Wind is a historical epic drama and romantic melodrama, with strong elements of war, personal tragedy, and social commentary. It explores themes of love, pride, race, survival, and identity during the fall of the antebellum South and the Reconstruction era.

Cast

• Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara
• Clark Gable as Rhett Butler
• Leslie Howard as Ashley Wilkes
• Olivia de Havilland as Melanie Hamilton
• Hattie McDaniel as Mammy
• Thomas Mitchell as Gerald O’Hara
• Barbara O’Neil as Ellen O’Hara

Film Music and Composer

The film’s iconic score was composed by Max Steiner, known as one of the fathers of film music. His sweeping, emotional soundtrack includes “Tara’s Theme,” which became one of the most recognizable motifs in cinema history.

Filming Locations

• Principal photography was done at various California studios, particularly Selznick International Studios.
• Outdoor scenes representing the South were shot in Southern California, with some background footage from actual Southern states.
• The burning of Atlanta sequence used old sets from King Kong and The Garden of Allah, creating one of the most visually memorable moments in film history.

These locations helped create a mythologized version of the South, contributing to both the film’s romanticism and its ongoing controversy.

Awards and Nominations

Gone with the Wind was a massive success at the 12th Academy Awards (1940), winning 8 competitive Oscars and 2 honorary awards, including:

• Best Picture
• Best Director – Victor Fleming
• Best Actress – Vivien Leigh
• Best Supporting Actress – Hattie McDaniel (the first African American to win an Oscar)
• Best Screenplay – Sidney Howard
• Best Cinematography (Color)
• Best Film Editing
• Best Art Direction

It has frequently appeared on lists of the greatest films ever made.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• The film had multiple directors due to creative disagreements.
• Clark Gable initially refused to cry in a key scene, believing it would hurt his tough-guy image. He eventually relented.
• Vivien Leigh was a British actress, cast after a long search, and was not the public’s top choice.
• The casting of Mammy (Hattie McDaniel) was controversial; her performance was widely praised, but it also reinforced stereotypes.
• The movie faced protests from civil rights groups for its romanticized depiction of slavery and the Old South.

Inspirations and References

• Based on Margaret Mitchell’s novel of the same name.
• Inspired by Mitchell’s family stories and the Southern culture of post-Civil War Georgia.
• The character of Rhett Butler is believed to be partially inspired by Mitchell’s first husband, Red Upshaw.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There were no alternate endings filmed. The ending is faithful to the book and was always meant to leave the audience with Scarlett’s unresolved future.

Several deleted scenes included more context about the war and life at Tara, but they were cut for runtime. Most are now lost.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The movie is largely faithful to the novel but compresses certain storylines:

• The book spans over 1,000 pages and includes more details about Scarlett’s children (she has three in the book).
• Scarlett’s harshness and moral ambiguity are toned down in the film.
• The film omits some characters and complex racial dynamics that were in the book.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Scarlett’s vow at Tara: “I’ll never be hungry again.”
• The burning of Atlanta escape sequence.
• Bonnie’s tragic death on horseback.
• Rhett leaving Scarlett in the final scene.

Iconic Quotes

• “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” – Rhett Butler
• “After all, tomorrow is another day.” – Scarlett O’Hara
• “As God is my witness, I’ll never be hungry again.” – Scarlett O’Hara
• “You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how.” – Rhett Butler

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Scarlett wears a curtain dress to visit Rhett in jail, symbolizing both resourcefulness and desperation.
• The burning of Atlanta used actual old sets, and you can spot pieces of older films amid the flames.
• The name “Tara” was inspired by the Hill of Tara in Ireland, connecting Scarlett’s family to Irish roots.

Trivia

• It was the highest-grossing film of all time, adjusted for inflation.
• Over 1,400 actresses auditioned for Scarlett.
• The word “damn” in Rhett’s famous line was nearly censored.
• Vivien Leigh was filming for 125 out of the 140 days of production.
• Hattie McDaniel was not allowed to attend the Atlanta premiere due to segregation laws.

Why Watch?

You should watch Gone with the Wind if you’re interested in:

• Cinematic history and classic Hollywood.
• Epic storytelling with complex characters.
• Discussions around the romanticization of the Old South.
• An enduring, if controversial, example of how films shape cultural memory.

Director’s Other Movies

Victor Fleming also directed:

• The Wizard of Oz (1939)
• Captains Courageous (1937)
• Red Dust (1932)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Dr. Zhivago (1965)
• The African Queen (1951)
• Casablanca (1942)
• The English Patient (1996)
• Cold Mountain (2003)
• Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
• The Sound of Music (1965)