Blu-Ray: Gone With The Wind

Gone With The Wind
1939 - Selznick International Pictures
Directed By Victor Fleming



Blu-Ray Review

For many, many years I had intended to see this masterpiece of film, but hadn't for several reasons. The film's extensive length (just shy of 4 hours) and my dislike of costume dramas and chick flicks kept me from seeing this masterpiece, despite its reputation.

The arrival of the film on Blu-Ray helped me to change my tune.

Most people already know what the film is about and as for critical analysis, many have written books and made documentaries about this film and I feel that I could offer nothing new or original into discussing the film, so I will instead focus on the new disc. Needless to say, I found the movie to be everything great I'd ever heard about it.

I purchased the 'movie only' version of the film.
From the start of the film (following the opening overture) my jaw dropped at the stunningly beautiful transfer of the film. I'd seen bits and pieces of the film through the years on DVD and television, so I knew how beautiful the film looked already... but the amazing clarity that 1080p reveals is unreal. The colors are more vibrant and the shadows are more black than they've ever been (apart from a theatrical showing.)

There's literally never a dust speck or scratch to be seen anywhere in the film.

The natural film grain is also present and is not toned down in any way like many Blu-Ray transfers like to do, which tends to make the film look somewhat artificial. Here, it looks just like it was intended to back in the theaters of 1939.
Gone With The Wind looks equal to or better than many modern films released on the format. Warner Brothers (who now owns the film) deserves the highest praise for the transfer.

The audio is also great. The disc offers the film in its original monaural sound track. The dialogue, great music and sound effects are in perfect balance and never drown each other out. You hear the film as it was intended to be heard back in 1939.

The only special feature is a commentary by film historian Rudy Behlmer. I only sampled his commentary but I know of his work and have seen him in many documentaries. He certainly knows his stuff and has a pleasant voice and speaks in a very conversational tone. It's much more pleasant than hearing a film class lecture, but I'm sure it's taxing if you're going to listen for the full 4 hours!

If you're looking to build your film library, Gone With The Wind is certainly an important disc to have... and it's never looked better!



Warner Brothers also released a deluxe version of the film. With Warner's exhaustive approach to the special features of their most prized and beloved classics, I have no doubt this is an amazing package. Included are a brand new documentary called "1939: Hollywood Greatest Year," a TV film "Moviola: The Scarlett O'Hara War," and the excellent 6-hour TV documentary/mini-series "MGM: When the Lion Roars' among the usual making-of documentaries and plenty more.