Tools for this page
Print

Gone With the Wind

(1939, Rated NR, Classic, Starring Clark Gable, Hattie McDaniel, Vivien Leigh)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    We know it, we love it, even 50+ years later.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Period stereotypical portrayal of African-Americans. Scarlett is incredibly manipulative and selfish at times.
  • Violence:

    War scenes, including wounded soliders and the burning of Atlanta; Scarlett shoots the Union deserter; Scarlett falls down the stairs.
  • Sex:

    Oblique portrayal of forced sex; Scarlett uses her feminine wiles to get lots of things.
  • Language:

    One "damn" (which was almost excised as too shocking).
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Drinking; some drunkenness.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Gone With the Wind

Parents need to know that this movie raises the issue of slavery in subtext, but period portrayals reflect the sterotypes of both the Civil War era South and the 1930s, when the movie was made. While Mammy is a strong and loyal character, she is childishly won over with a red petticoat, and Prissy is fluttery and incompetent.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about why the Southerners were so wrong about their ability to win a war with the North? Why does Scarlett marry Charles? Why does she marry Frank? Why does she marry Rhett? Why is Tara so important to her? Why does Rhett like Scarlett? Why do his feelings about her change? What do you think will happen after she goes back to Tara?

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Gone With the Wind?
  •  I think this movie is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review
See all 22 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    The Greatest Classic Ever, But I Recommend It Be For Teens And Above

    There is a lot of kissing, and it shows Scarlett cutting a newborn's umbilical cord with scissors, which is pretty disgusting. The whole movie is about war, and in one scene, Scarlett shoots a man in the face. He falls down the stairs, and you cannot see his facial features because of all the blood. Also, some may not like it because it is split into two parts, and it is exactly 3 hours, 59 minutes long. NOTE: It is rated G, but if they had PG-13 back then, it would definitely be rated PG-13.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Negative role models

    Couldn't find a better old movie except "Rebecca"

    I literally looked for things I didn't like about "Wind," but I COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. All the characters are brilliantly portrayed, and you start to feel their pain after a while. Everything's over-the-top drama, but that's what makes it unique, and it's plot and length (nearly 4 hrs.) make it totally unrepeatable.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

  4. I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Negative message

    An Amazing, Fulfilling Film Epic...A True Masterpiece!

    GONE WITH THE WIND is most famously known as a love story between Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh. What you might not know is that Leigh's character, Scarlett O'Hara, has three husbands over the course of the movie. Now her passion with Gable doesn't sound so "true love"-like, does it? What the film is really about is a Southern belle coming of age and learning of life during the tribulating times of the Civil War. She learns that she can use her sexuality to manipulate men, and she uses her charms and quick intellect to claw her way through the War and its aftermath. However, she also learns by the end of the movie that manipulative people don't get true love (hence: "Frankly my dear, I just don't give a d@mn"). The "G" rating is misleading, as it was given in 1939. The film is quite violent. While only one scene is graphic (a Yankee deserter being shot in the face. There's a brief explosion of blood.), there are many tense scenes revolving around the loss of loved ones and the dashing of dreams by reality. Some images (such as the burning of Atlanta) may be frightening for young kids. There is no actual sexual content, but some discussions revolve around that topic without mentioning it (they had to meet 30's decency standards). Through all of her husbands, Scarlett really only loves one man who always eludes her, and at one point she kisses him passionately, though he's married. After having her first child, Scarlett decides she doesn't want to get pregnant any more (to keep her waist as small as can be), so she informs her husband that she will be locking her bedroom door. This infuriates him, so, one night, he carries her up to his room (presumably for sex). The next morning, she is happy that he did. It may seem to some viewers that Rhett's controlling nature towards Scarlett is abusive. While such behavior would be deemed unacceptable today, kids should know that males were usually the dominant partner in old relationships, and while such attitude is sexist and wrong, Rhett would never hurt Scarlett.

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Alabama
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    Great movie!

    this movie was made back in the thirties, it has nothing inappropriate in it. There is a scene where it's mildly suggested that Rhett Butler 'forces' her into sex, but he is her husband and you can tell she obviously enjoyed it. I never even understood what they were even doing until I was like 13, so don't worry about showing it to your kids. It also give you another view of history.

  7. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 5.0

  8. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 5.0

  9. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    A must-see classic

  10. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Alabama
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 0.0

    GUYS DONT WATCH ITIF YOU VALUE YOUR SANITY

    There is nothing 'wrong' with this movie. It's 'appropriate' for all ages. But NEVER force a guy to watch this piece of crap!! If I wanted to go suicidal then I'd watch this again. one of the five worst movies of all time. note: I'm a guy and girls views on this specific movie will probably be the opposite of mine

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in South Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    INCREDIBLE!!

    I'm 11. So I always made fun of the movie and refused to watch it. But when my mom forced me to. It was the best decision of her life!! The best. Do no comapre any of today's movies to it. This is a legend. The best parts are Scarlett's fiddle-de-de's!! A must for everyone

  13. I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    A bit too long for most kids, but still awesome!

    "I don't know nothin' about birthin' no babies!" I loved this movie and all of the people in it, especially the little girl who has to help Scarlet with a birthing. It's a bit too much for most kids though. It is pretty slow-paced in comparison with today's movies and unless your kid is especially bright, they won't really "get" it. I recommend it for 13+ because of its length and its content. You'll probably also want to discuss what happens in it with your kid.

  14. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Hawaii
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    dramatic

    everyone should see it :-D

  15. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

  16. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    One of the best movies ever made

    I have to watch this cinematic classic at least once a year. It is moviemaking at its finest, and astounds me that it is almost 70 years old. Wow. Kids may not enjoy this because of the incredible length and the history (wow, something educational in a movie!), but if they want to watch it, smaller, seperate screenings work best. (Think Gone With The Wind: The Miniseries.) This is told from a southern point of view in the civil war, so there is steriotyping and all black characters are slaves, however, they are treated with respect. Some young kids may not understand that this is in the past and that slavery is bad. But if kids are old enough to know whats going on, and to sit through four hours of it, definately watch it together.

  17. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    fantastic movie!

    The best film ever made!! It's a classic!!!

  18. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    this movie was downright AMAZING! kids, even if you don't like older movies, or think love storys are mushy junk, watch it anyway! adults will come to appreciate the quality of this movie, still unparallelled even today. the transformation vivien leigh's character undergoes is tragic, while at the same time inspiring. keep an eye out for two of the greatest lines in the history of both cinema and literature.... come on adults, you should remember these: "with God as my witness, I swear I shall never be hungry again!" "Frankly my dear, I don't give a d***" this movie was one of the first shot in three strip technicolor. It won 8 oscars, one of which was the first to be awarded to an african american woman!! remember, when people say this movie was very suggestive/provacitive, it was made in the 1940's. the 'n' word is avoided, and the swearing is zero to none. remember when viewing this movie that its ohh say, 4hrs long. Younger ones may have to do it in small doses, but anyone over 12 will be glued to the screen from the time the overture sounds, untill the exit music comes dramatically over the screen.

  19. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  20. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    it blew me away...

    Will be great for families who want a good movie and some history lessons at the same time.. a classic!

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Where the Wild Things Are

    Where the Wild Things Are

    Sometimes-dark adaptation focuses on friendship, loneliness.

  • Tech Tip

    Protecting privacy is a bigger issue than predators.Beyond Safety

    Protecting privacy is a bigger issue than predators.

  • Must See TV

    Dancing with the Stars

    Dancing with the Stars

    High-kicking series has cross-generational appeal.

  • Member Buzz

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Is it easier for parents to communicate with their kids via text?

  • Sound Check

    "All Is Love" (CD single)

    "All Is Love" (CD single)

    Indie music star gives soundtrack single quirky appeal.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy