Ever read Gone With the Wind? What about the movie?

[GregKII]

Has anyone here read Gone With the Wind? I grew up watching the movie, and I recently bought the book--it's something I've wanted to read for years, and I've finally mustered up the courage to take it on (it is quite thick, although I didn't hesitate in reading War and Peace). I'm going to start as soon as I finish my current book. What did you think of both the book and the movie?

[palbert]

At my bedstand instead of the bible. The chronicle of a tragedy. My family still repents its costs.

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

just movie it
world sure got figa how write ans or learn a read
ans wot is movie
ta 1st world sumthangs
ans stuff conrflakes
cause of - etc so on

otda it happy fa youansyou

there go

thankyou

[borg69unimatrix]

Reading/watching "The Wizard of Oz" is the closest I ever came to reading/watching "Gone with the Wind".




... There's a joke in there, somewhere.

[xbuzzerx]

... I don't know nothin 'bout birthin' no babies.

[loveguys72]

And when you finish, there's always the sequel, Tara.

I love the movie for the Technicolor magnificence of Vivian Leigh devouring the scenery.

[cityboy-stl]

I read it when I was in junior-high, 13 or 14. The book is much richer in detail and character as books can be. Even at that age though I found it easy to read and thoroughly compelling. One of the best things is that the movie does not cheat book. There of course some differences due to length, Scarlett has more children in the book for example, but they're not substantially different. I would say I have a far better appreciation of the film for having read the book and vice versa is true as well. One of the few instances where the book and movie are true companions.

[crimsonpaine]

Yes, way back in 1999. During my period where I could read anything. It was a good book and I'm glad I read it.

[gsdx]

Did you know that the burning of Atlanta scene was actually the burning of the old King Kong set. When the scenery collapses at the 3:00 mark, that is Kong's gate. You can see it. And that isn't Gable or Leigh, either. They were stand-ins The roles hadn't even been cast when that scene was shot.

[loki81]

I'd rather be shot in the face than be forced to watch Gone With the Wind another time.

my sister was obsessed with it when we were kids... nearly every day after school, she'd be watching the movie in the tv room (and she was older/bigger, so she got to choose what was on tv)

[crimsonpaine]

I'd rather be shot in the face than be forced to watch Gone With the Wind another time.

my sister was obsessed with it when we were kids... nearly every day after school, she'd be watching the movie in the tv room (and she was older/bigger, so she got to choose what was on tv)

That's and effective way of ruining something for someone else.

[cockbrain]

... I don't know nothin 'bout birthin' no babies.

I believe that the line is .... I know all about birthin babies Miss Scarlet.

[pat grimshaw]

I thought the second-half of the movie seemed to drag on and on with their marriage problems and then fizzled out in a really undramatic way.

What is the second half of the book like?

[Yngbldhwk]

The book is actually a pretty good read, better written than I initially expected on first reading. It is also what I would have classified in high school as a "girl's book," which is not to say men can't respond to it or find it entertaining.

The book sags a bit towards the end, as does the film. Still, both manage to hold your interest. The greatest difference is, in my mind, the character of Ashley as written and as performed by Leslie Howard. The Ashley of the novel is described as an extremely handsome young blond man -- think Brad Pitt in his early twenties. Leslie Howard was 45 with thinning hair when he tackled the role in the film, and no amount of makeup or costuming could make him look that young. Worse, he knew he was ill suited for the role, and disliked doing the movie, and it shows in his performance. As such, it weakens the idea that Scarlett would prefer him to Rhett for as long as she does.

Vivien Leigh, of course, simply is Scarlett O'Hara.

[Hard-up1]

I read it my junior year in college as part of Literature of the South.

It is well deserving of its fame and evocative of the many affectations that used to define the South.

The novel and the movie just won't die.

My freshman year in college I had seen a travelling production of Showboat, and Ms. McQueen (who had played Prissy in GWTW) was playing the mammy by then, and she was larger than Mammy had been in the movie, I think.

The influence of Scarlett's mother is but one significant difference between the novel and the screenplay.

[pat grimshaw]

Yngbldhwk, I get the impression that Scarlett invaded Vivien's psyche and sent her to madness and an early death.

[Hard-up1]

I'm not sure Ms. Leigh was any more vulnerable than Scarlett was, and even Rhett knew that Scarlett was a survivor.

[CowboyBob]

After seeing this thread I'll drop the DVD in the player and see it again. It's been a while since.

I don't care who gives a damn.

[jft245]

I first read the book when I was in high school (sometime in the late 60's) and have re-read it at least 5 times over the years. The movie is good but as someone above said, the book is much fuller in detail.

[Vannie]

Every Saturday night,I like to microwave a nice bag of broccoli florets,and watch Gone With the Wind.

[rareboy]

Read the book when I was 15 and saw the movie the same year.

The book is a great read. And of course, the movie is a classic.

And then, a few years later, there was Carol Burnett.......

[crimsonpaine]

^ I love that. Carol & Co. and just hilarious.

[JustMe5]

I've never read the book either but I would love to. However, it will have to wait, as I have a list of several other books to read. And needless to say, the movie is wonderful. Though it does drag on in some parts, and thus it requires patience to watch.

[unloadonme]

Nope, never read the book. Never seen the film either.

[LatimerRd]

Read the book many years ago. I recall that I enjoyed it, but I don't know that I would today. Saw the movie straight through once a while ago, and would agree that the first half is enormously entertaining, the second half not. I remember thinking that Vivian Leigh's portrayal of Scarlett grew tiresome and annoying as the movie wore on. (The kid--Bonnie--was REALLY annoying.) I've heard that Selznick wanted Bette Davis for the role, but Warners wouldn't release her for the production. Now that would have been a Scarlet to reckon with--and better for the famous first line of the novel--"Scarlett O'Hara was not beautiful..."

Not to spoil the party, but I can't refrain from observing that whatever the virtues of the novel and the film, GWTW is a racist apology for the institution of slavery, its romanticized and sentimental representation of plantation life appalling. The truly noble, no-nonsense and plain speaking portrayal of Mammy in the movie is not enough to redeem the falseness of its essential premise. Ashley was a Klansman for chrissake!

The recent PBS documentary on the Abolitionists is a useful corrective.

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

world ova gon wit wind correct a version updated ta seconds

ha

swish a flickos snot a pickos

thankyou

[ravenstar]

I didn't even realise I owned a copy but I was cleaning out my room yesterday - preparing to redecorate my room so I'm clearing stuff out - and came across a hardcover of Gone With the Wind, with a Scene from the movie on the front cover. It was one of the books I kept as I decided to read it.

[HunterM]

No, I have not read the book. I have farted with the wind though. And I'm not the only one.

[backagain]

Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn

[Ryuukie]

I read the book and loved it. I've watched the movie many times and loved it. They just don't make movies like that any more.

[T-Rexx]

Nope, never read the book. Never seen the film either.

Me, neither.

But I have seen the Carol Burnett spoof of the movie.

[braex27]

Seen the film multiple times - love it - and read the book through multiple (multiple multiple) sessions.



Both are great but having seen the film first, I pictured the actors when reading the novel.

[pat grimshaw]

Scarlett was such a SELFISH, spoilt Irish/Catholic bitch ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

[Kahaih]

^ So, . . . just another run-of-the-mill gay icon?

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

maybe it was a commercial fa curtains?

anyway 1st worlds slippas alway a thang

thankyou

[pat grimshaw]

Does Scarlet have any morally redeeming qualities?

Is she just a "devious 2-faced, calculating b*tch" like Lady Mary of Downton.

[GregKII]

Does Scarlet have any morally redeeming qualities?

Is she just a "devious 2-faced, calculating b*tch" like Lady Mary of Downton.

And I love them both! Lol two of my favorite characters EVER

[ravenstar]

God Vivien Leigh was beautiful

[ixthrock]

Apparently I saw the movie about 50 times before I was 5 years old. My Mother will deny it, but I gather she was a tad obsessed. Never read the novel.