Gone With the Wind (1939 Victor Fleming)

Also directed by Sam Wood and George Cukor. Amongst many Oscars were film and screenplay (Sidney Howard, from Margaret Mitchell's bestseller), for Vivian Leigh and Hattie McDaniel, and an honorary award to William Cameron Menzies 'for outstanding achievement in the use of color for the enhancement of dramatic mood' - an odd award considering he was the production designer extraordinaire.

It is Hattie's finest achievement - she was the first black person to be invited to the Oscars, let alone to win one. Her character is actually the strongest in the story.

Noted Harry Davenport as the doctor and Ona Munson as Belle.

According to the ASC, Lee Garmes 'shot a considerable portion...Many consider the famous railyard scene amongst his finest efforts'. At least an hour of the film is his including setting up the tracking shot of the wounded, the Twelve Trees barbecue, the introduction of Rhett, and Scarlett killing the soldier. He was using a new type of film giving a softer look but Selznick wanted 'primary colours' and sacked him, thus credit is given to Ernie Haller and Ray Rennahan.

Despite the enormous budget and attention to detail, we noticed a wonky banister outside one of the houses!

The first Blu-Ray we watched - it was amazing, especially stuff like the burning of Atlanta.

Scenes like this must acknowledge the amazing work of special effects genius Jack Cosgrove