Gone With the Wind (1939)

Let's say it's a 5 of respect. Because there are some incredibly epic things about this movie. It is THE epic--on a scale that matches the grandeur of the classical old South. It's all about big production value. The film is technically brilliant. And watching this movie in this day and age, you can't ignore how iconic the film has become. But no one wants to hear pure praise.

It is about ostensibly about Scarlett O'Hara's love life, but it is really a portrait of the old South. The film is charming. If you find antebellum racism and slavery charming.  What I guess I'm trying to say is that while I can appreciate the cinematic value of the movie, the story is kind of offensive with our contemporary hindsight. Of course, to provide an accurate depiction of the South, you can't ignore slavery. However, the depiction of slavery is not indicative of 19th century sentiments as was probably intended; but rather it is reflective of contemporary 20th century sentiments, which were very negative though they probably didn't think so at the time. Racism remained a problem through Jim Crow all the way to 1939 when the film was made and on to the present day. We always think that we've made progress, but it moves at a snail's pace and with hindsight we can see how our progress is stalled. I think it is interesting to analyze the film as a primary source on America in the 1930s rather than as a secondary source on 19th century American South (thanks to Professor Mason's History and Film class).

Also, I saw this on a ten hour flight. That is the optimal time to watch a four hour movie--when you are trapped and have nothing to do but watch movies. You don't even have to set aside a giant block of time.