Reading Envy Readers discussion

For anyone who decides to also view the film, please feel free to discuss here.

I watched it this afternoon and was pretty impressed how much of the book they fit in. They cut out a few kids and a lot of the Reconstruction narrative (Scarlett and Rhett argue about the mill but only as it pertains to Ashley, and she is never really shown rebuilding Tara or building her business.) The Klan is never mentioned. But a lot of the one-liners are there, a lot of the tragedy is there, etc.

It was my first time seeing the movie. Mammy seems to play the role of Scarlett's propriety and conscience in a way that is kind of in the book but not as prominent maybe. (This to me is an early model of the "black purveyor of wisdom" trope that persists in movies to this day.)

I loved the movie version of Scarlett surrounded by all her beaus at the barbecue. What an image.

I absolutely loved the movie. Vivian Leigh was a perfect choice for Scarlett, she captured her essence (and won an Oscar). And those eyebrows! I know nowadays that longer movies don’t thrive at the box office and I’m not sure what the studios thought in 1939 but I’m glad they made GWTW four hours. Most of the important scenes were included. It was a box office hit and the #1 grossing film EVER if revenues were adjusted for inflation.

I would’ve liked to see more of Gerald and Ellen. We don’t get their very interesting back stories in the movie. I didn’t miss Wade or Ella. The conversation between Scarlett and Melanie at the end wasn’t as dramatic in the movie as it was in the book. Those were a few things I remember off the top of my head.

What an achievement for it’s day. Seeing it must’ve been the thing to do in 1939.