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Gone With the Wind

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

    About our ratings

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    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

    Still one of Hollywood's best sweeping epics.

Themes in this movie include:   family relationships, gender issues, honesty, materialism, peer pressure
updated 11.14.09

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Role models:

    Scarlett is fierce, determined, and ambitious, but she's also vain, selfish, manipulative, and unkind. The real role model in the film is Melanie, who is the epitome of selflessness and grace, even after it's clear Scarlett is in love with her husband.
 

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The movie suggests that the genteel, slave-holding, plantation-owning way of life that is "gone with the wind" is worth romanticizing. Yes, Hattie McDaniel won an Oscar for her portrayal, but the African Americans in the movie are all slaves and act stereotypically and as if they actually enjoyed their servitude. Scarlett can be manipulative and at times acts in a way many would find wrong (marrying for convenience, kissing a married man).
  • Violence:

    The movie revolves around the Civil War, and there is a great deal of overt and implied violence, although sans the gratuitous depictions common in contemporary movies. Wounded soliders are screaming, needing amputations, and dying in tent hospitals. Union officers cruelly light fire to Atlanta. Scarlett shoots a bloodied Union deserter and then drags his body away. Scarlett falls down the stairs and loses a pregnancy. A child dies after a horseback-riding accident. Rhett handles Scarlett roughly and makes a comment about wanting to tear her apart. Men try to steal Scarlett's carriage, causing her to almost falls off a bridge.
  • Sex:

    Scarlett uses her sexual attractiveness ALL of the time to get her way, and flirts with many men, even married ones like Ashley. She often dresses in what was considered provacatively at the time (cleavage-bearing dresses with a supertight corset). There are a few kisses, and one scene that implies a husband has forced himself on his wife; it will go over kids' heads, but a drunk Rhett roughly carries Scarlett to her bedroom, and the next morning she is extremely happy and relaxed. Bell is a "lady of the night," in other words, one of the original "hookers with a heart of gold."
  • Language:

    Probably the most famous "damn" in all of movie history.
  • Consumerism:

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

    Adults drink often, although usually at parties (wine, champagne, and brandy). Scarlett and her father drink whiskey. Rhett gets drunk on occasion, and in one scene three men pretend they're drunk to avoid confrontation. Rhett and other Southern gentleman smoke cigars throughout the movie.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Gone With the Wind

Parents need to know that this epic drama, which is widely considered one of the top movies of all time, would never be rated G by today's standards. The film centers around the Civil War-torn South and includes several scenes of war-related violence, such as wounded soldiers dying, and Scarlett O'Hara shooting a Union deserter. The sexuality isn't as overt as in contemporary movies, but it's still pervasive, as Scarlett is clearly a bold, sexually attractive woman who manipulates men with her looks. Additionally, there are several kisses (a few very passionate ones), a scene that implies a husband has forced his wife to go to bed with him, and even the inclusion of a minor character who is a good-hearted "lady of the night." The alcohol and cigar use is also frequent, although mostly because there are so many parties in the movie. Parents should be aware that the depiction of African Americans is problematic and stereotypical -- the slaves seem to actually enjoy their lot and are either superficial and ignorant or fussy and smothering. It may concern some parents that the Confederate South is portrayed as having been a place of gentility and charm.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how the Civil War is portrayed via the character of Scarlett O'Hara. How does the war affect her way of life? Does living through war change her personality, or does she remain the same throughout?
  • Scarlett is married several times for different reasons. Was marriage her only option at the time? What is different about her marriages to Charles, Frank, and then Rhett? Which of her marriages means the most to her and why?
  • Melanie is Scarlett's opposite in most ways. How do their personalities, values, and behavior differ? Why does Melanie forgive Scarlett over and over again?
  • How are African Americans depicted in the movie? Would the portrayal of Civil War-era slavery be different if this 1939 movie were remade today?

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Our Members Say

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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!

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