"Gone With the Wind" was voted one of the greatest films of all times in our class.... but why do we give a damn?
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Welcome to Film, Fiction & Criticism Summer 2010
This is a non-chronological, discussion-based class that examines the relationship between literature and film. We’ll explore the aesthetic make-up of masterworks of literature chosen from the novel, the short story and the play, and will focus on the structure and meaning of these literary works. This blog is your place to play with the ideas discussed in class. Enjoy!
As a black man I have to admit that the portrayal of my ancestors as happy servants and field hands is uncomfortable at best, even if its an accurate depiction of history. That is probably why i haven't watched Gone With the Wind or Driving Ms. Daisy,which had much critical acclaim as well. As far as it getting the respect it deserves, I don't "give a damn". Its possible that my own prejudice has prevented me from seeing an excellent film, one of the greatest according to our class. Maybe ill get over it.....oh, add Song of the South to that list as well
ReplyDelete-Adib Musawwir
I don't remember our class giving "Gone with the Wind" such high marks...
ReplyDeleteBut, I don't give a damn, ma'am. Save your stones GWTW fans. I have seen the movie once, years ago, but for the life of me cannot remember whether I enjoyed it or not. I do remember this: It was too damn long, and I considered it a feat in and of itself to have viewed it at least once.
For this blog, I considered renting the film in order to comment intelligently. But, after viewing a few clips on YouTube, I wasn't sure it would be worth the effort. But, I did enjoy watching Clark Gable as Rhett Butler via those clips; the two films I've seen him in - "It Happened One Night" and "The Misfits" - are highly recommended for fans of black and white classics.
Anyway, I'm curious to see what other opinions pop up regarding GWTW. I may revisit the film down the road when I'm in the mood for long, lavish, old Hollywood productions.
Greetings class. Andrew Medina here. So I just watched "Gone With the Wind" last night for the first time. I wish I could say that I don’t give a damn about Scarlett. Her character was probably one of the most obnoxious and unlikable I've ever seen in film. But to be honest with you all, when the movie ended I said out loud "I wonder if she ever wins back Rhett Butler?"
ReplyDeleteI don’t think the film was bad by any means, but I also don’t feel it was all that good. I never found myself in suspense while watching it and I was never moved to tears, or laughed much. But I still found it to be really entertaining.
As far as the controversy pertaining to the depiction of slaves goes, I think the most unjust aspect of it was as the article articulated "...the contentment of the signing field hands." I don’t think any part of our country's history should be ignored. However I also think that truth and accuracy are of paramount importance in the telling and portrayal of history. And that is what this movie could have clearly done a better job of.
But I'll also point out that I do recall Maj. Ashley Wilkes stating that he "would have freed the slaves if the war hadnt." There is also a scene where Scarlett is crossing a small bridge in her horse drawn wagon and men who are ostensibly highway robbers attempt to take her horse and physically struggle with her. "Big Sam" a black field worker is portrayed favorably as he responds quickly to Scarlett's cries for help and neutralizes the threat then chases after Scarlett to make sure she is ok. Mammy, the black indoor servant was also depicted as a more respectable character than many of the white ones in my opinion. And all of this is in addition to the golden timepiece that was given by Scarlett to the black former butler as the article mentions. So I dont think the film is racist, hateful, or ignorant of what an atrocity slavery was and is. Instead it seems as if the realities of something embarrassing and painful to society were avoided in poor judgment.
I think it is important that deserving works of art get the attention and recognition they deserve so they can reach and leave an impression on many others. That's why we give a damn. But I have mixed feelings about "Gone With the Wind" whose title will mean different things to different people. As entertaining as it was, I think entertainment value is unfortunately one of the only values it has to offer.
I dont remember voting this movie the greatest either...
ReplyDeleteBut I have never seen this movie so it is hard for me to evaluate this film fairly. After reading the article it seems like this is a classic but has flaws when it comes to representing the African American community. The article mentions Casablanca, and i have recently seen this movie. I feel like this movie should be considered as the best ever! I loved it!
Hopefully I will have a chance to sit down and watch GWTW so i can give it a fair chance!
I saw GWTW once when I was about twelve and couldn't have been more bored. Although many people consider it a "classic", to me that doesn't necessarily mean that it is a great movie, it was just revolutionary for it's time. I absolutely despise musicals so this might have something to do with my dislike for this movie also. So to answer your question, I don't give a damn about this movie and definitely don't think it was the best movie ever made.
ReplyDeleteI've never been able to get through an entire viewing of "Gone with the Wind" for the same reason I couldn't finish the book, I can't stand the melodrama. I don't remember our class voting this film as one of the best films ever made and from the reading some of these comments their class didn't vote it as one of the best films either. The way it portrays slaves doesn't help the story either and to be perfectly honest I don't think it's that great of a story anyway.
ReplyDeleteBut this is still just my opinion and I know that there are plenty of people that think that it's one of the greatest movies of all time I just don't give a damn about it. (Ok that was a bad joke)
I too have never been able to sit through this film for a single viewing. I have seen all of the parts of it seperately though.
ReplyDeleteI wan never a fan of the movie. It was not well done or well thought out and does not deserve to be called a "best" anything. The background mattes were terrible, looking like they were painted in a "paint by numbers" kit. The dialog was filled with horrendous corny lines, such as "Frankly my Dear, I don't give a damn," and As God is my witness, I will never go hungry again," and more.
Mostly, though, I was always uncomfortable with the depiction of the African slaves. Their portrayal was cliche, bigoted and worse. To say that they were treated "fairly" in the characterization is difficult for me to swallow. How can you treat someone fairly when you have already taken away their freedom and done horrific things to them along the way?
GWTW was written for a society that was already dulled into believing that it was OK to fight a war to keep people enslaved. To make matters worse, it was written from the POV of the Southern slave owners and attempted to portray them as some sick kind of victim.
I am not controversial (am I?)
JH
As recalled by a conversation with my Grandma Dot....
ReplyDeleteGWTW was a bestselling book before its on screen adaptation. Clark Gable was a film God and there was a ton build up as to who was going to play opposite of him land the role of Scarlett O'Hara. Several female leads of the time tried out for the role but the author wanted an unknown, which was every young girls dream.
That seems like enough to be a box office smash but add a handsome womanizer, a spoiled brat being knocked from her pedestal, the universal theme of keeping up with the Jones's, scandalous behavior, incredible costumes, unrequited love, a woman empowering herself in tough times who starts a successful business in a man's world and taboo subjects such as the KKK.
Yeah, the songs are dry and last forever but if you look at other films of the time they were much the same. I liked GWTH but once was enough. I prefer Carol Burnett’s version “Went With The Wind” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aRMZ4ePmMM&feature=related & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjhtxfSMIWk&feature=related
ooops ckswan = Carissa Swanson
ReplyDeleteThough I have not seen this movie (I know, you must be tired of hearing me say that), going back to a comment earlier in the post about GWTW being a "classic" I'd have to agree that this film isn't one by virtue of it not being timeless (as is evident in the previous posts), as that was one of the defining characteristics we came up with in a class discussion.
ReplyDeleteAs a side note from a purely observational point of view its interesting to note how vehement some of these posts have been (even if they're negative) indicating that this movie does have artistic value; you can't hate something that you feel apathetic about.
Scott Pearson
ReplyDeleteGreat, but what flaws we’re told? Which were mentioned and supported? You mean one famous director didn’t like it? Big deal. This director guy doesn’t represent any general consensus so rebutting the failings” doesn’t make sense. Even if the position did represent a larger group of opinions, why does he give two examples (pointing out sensitivity and justice) to support the failings, but in more subtle ways, when then actually rebut them. They are not nuanced” if they are opposing observations.
What I do agree with is his positive points, which are hard to dispute such as a great cast and cinematography. I just wish he didn’t try to sound smart by using “big words” so commonly.
Scott Pearson
Since I had never seen this film after reading this article I went and ask my grandmother, who is African American about what she thought about the film Gone With the Wind. In her opinion she says that it was a great film. My thoughts from hearing this is that maybe the portrait of racism within this film is misguided in the film. Strikingly from my standpoint I am not a fan of films that pertain to racism. Although I do have a great sense of humor so racial comedy doesn't anger me as long as its not taken to the extreme. With this said i checked out the reviews of gone with the wind, and up top it sounds like it is in fact a great film. So at a personal level I feel that I can understand where this debate is coming from after I am given the opportunity to view this movie.
ReplyDeleteI have not seen this movie Gone with the Wind. But from readign the the article it seems like for the most part it is a good movie at the time that it came out. In the article it says that there were some flaws when it came to representign the African-Americans but I do think that we do have to considerate at what time this movie came out in which was around the 1939. But from reading review I feel like the movie is trying to show the viewers of the film that being different is okay. If Gone with the Wind is still considered a good film then I'm all for it.
ReplyDeleteAlthough controversial, I feel Gone with the Wind has merit as a film for a couple of reasons. The first would be the contribution by William Cameron Menzie’s production design. According to our textbook, his sketches and storyboards provide the unifying visual structure that gives the film its stylistic coherence, despite having to work with four different directors. Menzie’s vision imparts to the viewer a real sense of the pageantry and magnificence of the privileged life of the southern plantation owner and the subsequent downfall of a society that was built on the horrific suffering and misery of enslaved human beings.
ReplyDeleteThe second reason the film has merit is due to the performances of the movie’s main characters. The story is cloaked with all the riveting aspects necessary to keep an audience engaged: lust, longing, loss, deception, and finally self-awareness—the made to order soap opera we all love to hate or hate to love. The actors who played these parts help bring their respective character to life and help reel the audience into their particular plight, even if that character was racially stereotyped like Mammy—played by Hattie McDaniel who won an Oscar for her role.
As we have discussed in class, to dismiss a film because of its controversial historical content may skirt the edge of censorship. So whether you view this film to emphasize its social injustices and inaccuracies or merely for entertainment, it still remains a viable subject for film critique.
I would be curious to know how the slaves were depicted in the book from which the movie is based. Also if those depictions garnered similar criticism.
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen this film and can't really comment much. My awareness of it was that its old and it was a romance story.
"Some appear to have dismissed the film merely for acknowledging Southern slavery—as if ignoring past injustices somehow erases them"
This line caught my attention. Why would it be preferable to ignore aspect of the past? Deal with the reality of what was and learn from it. Hiding portions of history isn't going to do anyone any good.
Personally, I haven't seen GWTW, but I've always heard mixed reviews on it. While it is a so-called "classic," it seems to me to be slow-paced movie that was a good fit for the time it was made, but hasn't been able to withstand the test of time.
ReplyDeleteMy mother, however, has a different view from mine. She sees it as one of the best movies ever made and that I would love it, so maybe I will watch it, taking inspiration from this blog question. I have actually quoted this movie without knowing it, so I obviously need to watch it. I can't really give an honest opinion though, having never seen it. But the article is based on opinion, obviously the opinion of many, but I would like to believe that it's a good movie.
Bridget Oyen
The film was interesting, but as most older movies (even Stand By Me) address race issues as an easy-going issue. The times that casual racial slurs are used in some films are very different than what type of television and film we view today.
ReplyDeleteThe film does not ignore the past but it presents it in a way that is less than accurate. I think this is the main problem of the film in a modern context. However, the characters were all relatively engaging and It may not be the best film, but it's certainly a well made one.
I do not recall "Gone with the Wind" being voted as the best movie of all time as a collective group. I haven't viewed the film but after glancing at some of the reviews online and the article, I sense a lot of bitter-sweet reaction from many viewers. There have been multiple movies that had caused mixed reaction over time due to the controversial depiction of slavery or rather the mere acknowledgment of the existence of slavery. Mammy is the only African American character in the movie that has a significant bond with one of the Caucasian characters thus creating a stir of unpopularity among individuals who may believe that African Americans had been mostly disregarded due to the widespread slavery in the South. Others may see Mammy's role as groundbreaking due to the fact that she is included in a movie during a time when African Americans did not have many privileges or significance in a Caucasian household.
ReplyDeleteRacial conflicts were discussed in the previous post and that was regarding cartoons. One can only imagine how strongly and vividly racial biases are depicted in films aimed at adults. The film was directed in the late 1930s when slavery was still widely evident in the South and since it was is based in the South, it is realistic to portray slavery as the way of life in 1939.
The last movie that I saw that had racial tensions was the movie "Crash" which depicted a Middle Eastern man being cursed out and being called a terrorist which judging from the recent conflict in the Middle East is a very racially fueled stigma. Other racial tensions are depicted in the firm which due to its true nature scored really high on my chart. I believe rather attempting to change the past or critic it, we shall learn from the mistakes and attempt to use the best judgment for the future.
I watched the movie Casablanca and many other older movies and each generally depict the reality of the time. I understand how many may feel frustrated and enraged and I do give a damn because every issue needs discussion and appropriate criticism and that said, it shouldn't take anything away from the brilliance of the film and the acting performance by O'Hara and others (judging from the reviews). I think movies are the reality of each time period and many relate to the times of the past through the images seen in the films.
I enjoyed reading my fellow classmates' comments and do get a notion that many are surprised that "Gone by the Wind" is voted to be the best but it sure stirred up a discussion.
I most definitely give a damn about this movie. I am not a fan of any movie that supports or condones racism (or any "ism", for that matter). However, I believe that it is important to consider the time period in which this movie was made in order to understand what the racial message (and other messages) might have been.
ReplyDeleteFor example, in 2010, American women can earn college degrees, graduate and post graduate degrees, enjoy equal rights with men, openly fight for equal rights and opportunities (should they be denied them), obtain a divorce, and (compared to 1939, which is when GWTW first previewed) women's social roles are more equal to those of men. However, this was not the case in 1939. A person analyzing Scarlett O'Hara in 2010 might only see her as a bratty, flippant, manipulative woman who uses her sexuality in a way that suggests that a woman's only powerful role is to be a sexual seductress. Yet, in 1939 (and, certainly, in the antebellum South) a woman's only power WAS her sexuality and her ability to use her mind to manipulate men. So, in this way, GWTW was making a feminist statement in 1939 by saying that even in the worst of times, a woman can play ball in a man's world and come out on top.
I believe that this movie (as viewed through the eyes of someone in 1939) was making a similar statement about racism in the South. The slaves singing in the fields never struck me as happy. They always struck me as survivors, doing what they had to do to make the best of a situation. And, as Mermelstein pointed out, Hattie and Pork were treated with respect.
I think that part of GWTW's message was a message about being a survivor. Certain things may be gone with the wind; but certain things remain. People remain. Survivors remain. Scarlett did what she had to do (over and over again) in order to survive, despite the sexism and double standards that she faced, which limited her freedoms and her opportunities.
The slaves also did what they had to do to survive. And a very important part of surviving is maintaining one's sanity. Even when I viewed this film as a child, I always heard the sorrow in their songs. I always perceived the scene in which they sang in the fields as a small reprieve, where they could mourn together and take comfort with one another through song.
Yes, the movie was melodramatic. Often times, it seemed like a very, very long soap opera to me. But the things that they achieved - despite the lack of available technology - were epic. I think that their artistic and technological innovations had a huge impact upon the ways that movies were made from then on. GWTW changed movies. It changed expectations. In many ways, it seems as if it was the first blockbuster. And, though I generally can't stand blockbusters, I feel that they are relevant (on a social level, if nothing else). And anything that is socially relevant (even in a historical sense) is something worth giving a damn about.