Gone with the Wind (1939)

Victor Fleming's monumental Civil War epic remains one of Hollywood's most celebrated and debated achievements, anchored by Vivien Leigh's unforgettable performance.

Gone with the Wind - Movie Information

  • Original Title: Gone with the Wind
  • Release Year: 1939
  • Directed by: Victor Fleming
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Drama, War, Romance
  • Age Rating (US): G
  • Runtime: 3h 53m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • Release Date (Theatrical): February 16, 1940 (Canada), June 17, 1940 (United States - G), April 18, 1940 (United Kingdom - PG), January 15, 1953 (Germany - 12), May 20, 1950 (France - TP), January 28, 2000 (New Zealand), May 1, 1940 (Australia - PG), September 19, 1940 (Brazil - L), October 30, 2014 (Mexico), March 12, 1949 (Italy - T), July 13, 2001 (Spain - 12), December 23, 1972 (South Korea - 12)
  • Alternative Titles: Унесённые ветром (RU), Lo que el viento se llevó (ES), Odviate vetrom (SK), بر باد رفته (IR), Gejaagd door de wind (BE), Przeminęło z Wiatrem (PL), 亂世佳人 (HK), E o Vento Levou (BR)
  • Production Companies: Selznick International Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
  • Production Countries: United States of America

Gone with the Wind - Plot

The spoiled daughter of a Georgia plantation owner conducts a tumultuous romance with a cynical profiteer during the American Civil War and Reconstruction Era.

Gone with the Wind - Trailer

Watch the official trailer for this timeless Hollywood classic:

The greatest romance of all time!

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Gone with the Wind - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Victor Fleming

Main Cast

  • Vivien Leigh
  • Clark Gable
  • Olivia de Havilland
  • Leslie Howard
  • Hattie McDaniel
  • Thomas Mitchell
  • Barbara O'Neil
  • Evelyn Keyes
  • Ann Rutherford
  • George Reeves

Writers

  • Sidney Howard

Producers

  • David O. Selznick

Gone with the Wind - FAQs

What does Rhett Butler's final line mean?

Rhett Butler's closing words — "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" — signal his complete emotional withdrawal from Scarlett after years of unrequited devotion. The line has become one of cinema's most quoted moments, encapsulating the film's central tragedy: Scarlett realizes she loves Rhett only after it is too late.

Who are the main actors in Gone with the Wind?

The principal cast includes Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara, Clark Gable as Rhett Butler, Olivia de Havilland as Melanie Hamilton, Leslie Howard as Ashley Wilkes, and Hattie McDaniel as Mammy. McDaniel became the first African American to win an Academy Award for her performance.

Is Gone with the Wind based on a true story?

Gone with the Wind is not based on a specific true story, but it is adapted from Margaret Mitchell's 1936 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Mitchell drew on Southern family histories, Civil War oral traditions, and the broader cultural memory of the Reconstruction Era to craft the fictional O'Hara and Butler narratives.

What is Gone with the Wind about?

The film follows Scarlett O'Hara, the willful daughter of a Georgia plantation owner, through the devastation of the Civil War and the hardships of Reconstruction. Her obsessive love for the genteel Ashley Wilkes and her volatile relationship with the roguish Rhett Butler form the emotional core of this sweeping historical epic.

Did Gone with the Wind win any awards?

Gone with the Wind won eight competitive Academy Awards at the 12th Oscars ceremony, including Best Picture, Best Director for Victor Fleming, Best Actress for Vivien Leigh, and Best Supporting Actress for Hattie McDaniel. It also received two honorary awards, making it one of the most decorated films in Oscar history.

How long is Gone with the Wind?

Gone with the Wind has a runtime of 3 hours and 53 minutes (233 minutes), making it one of the longest Hollywood films ever released. The original roadshow presentation included an overture, an intermission, and an entr'acte, extending the theatrical experience even further.

Where can I stream Gone with the Wind?

Gone with the Wind is available to stream on HBO Max and TCM, and can also be accessed through the HBO Max Amazon Channel. It is available to rent or purchase on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. Free viewing is available on FlixHouse.

What is the age rating for Gone with the Wind?

Gone with the Wind is rated G by the MPA in the United States, indicating it is suitable for all audiences. International ratings vary: the film is rated PG in the United Kingdom and Australia, 12 in Germany and Spain, and received equivalent general-audience classifications in France, Brazil, and Italy.

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