The Problematic Legacy of "Gone With the Wind"

Scene from Gone With the Wind

Earlier this week, the new streaming service HBO Max received scrutiny when they decided to pull Gone With the Wind. The reason was inspired by an op-ed piece written by John Ridley (screenwriter of 12 Years a Slave) printed in the Los Angeles Times, encouraging them to notice how its themes would have a negative impact on the current political climate. This has lead to many debates, including whether the film is dated or even relevant. To be honest, it's a difficult call that is worthy of hearing the pros and cons for, but what is ultimately clear is the need to recontextualize its place in the modern conversation. Should it be removed? No, though the context through which it's discussed should be greatly changed if we plan to get anywhere in this debate. 

Nothing But the Best: "Gone With the Wind" (1939)

Scene from Gone With the Wind

Welcome to the series Nothing But the Best in which I chronicle all of the Academy Award Best Picture winners as they celebrate their anniversaries. Instead of going in chronological order, this series will be presented on each film's anniversary and will feature personal opinions as well as facts regarding its legacy and behind the scenes information. The goal is to create an in depth essay for each film while looking not only how the medium progressed, but how the film is integral to pop culture. In some cases, it will be easy. Others not so much. Without further ado, let's start the show.

Birthday Take: Vivien Leigh in "Gone with the Wind" (1939)

Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind

Welcome to The Birthday Take, a column dedicated to celebrating Oscar nominees and winners' birthdays by paying tribute to the work that got them noticed. This isn't meant to be an exhaustive retrospective, but more of a highlight of one nominated work that makes them noteworthy. The column will run whenever there is a birthday and will hopefully give a dense exploration of the finest performances and techniques applied to film. So please join me as we blow out the candles and dig into the delicious substance.

Check This Out: "Gone With the Wind" to Be Shown in Theaters Nationwide This Weekend

In the pantheon of classic cinema, there are few films as notable as director Victor Fleming's Gone with the Wind. Upon its storied premiere in 1939 in Atlanta, Georgia, the film has gone on to have quite a reputation. Who could blame it. Based on the highly successful novel by one-and-done author Margaret Mitchell, the film is the equivalent to the Harry Potter franchise today. It was the most anticipated adaptation with an impressively complicated production history. It's a surprise that the film managed to be as successful as it was with a then-record breaking 8 Oscar wins and the highest grossing box office when adjusted for inflation. However, at 75 years old, the four hour romantic epic feels like it is unappreciated. Hopefully with this weekend's Fathom Event that plans to show the entire film on theaters nationwide in America, maybe it will give people a new reason to appreciate the film.