Gone With the Wind (1939 Victor Fleming)

Where to begin with this epic, which washes out the rest of a Sunday? Jack Cosgrove, the guy responsible for those amazing paintings, the skies. A huge budget, for sure, but quite a lot of trick effects, viz:

Cosgrove added the figures and cart over the burning building

Sidney Howard is credited with adapting Margaret Mitchell's bestseller, but Oliver Garrett, Ben Hecht, Jo Swerling and John Van Druten all worked on it too. Scarlett grows up, that's for sure, but never appreciates what Rhett keeps telling her - they're the same. And only after - well, he drunkenly rapes her - does she seem fleetingly happy with him... but it's too late. She has at least had the gumption to hold Tara together. But it's the other women that make GWTW so strong - the faithful but not subservient Mammy (the fabulous Hattie McDaniel), the saintly Melly (Oliva de Havilland - ethereal) and the tart with a heart Belle (Ona Munson) - in fact the scene between these two in the carriage (Belle doesn't want Melly calling at her house of disrepute) is one of the sweetest in the film.

George Cukor worked closely with Selznick for two years' worth of pre-production, writing, casting and production design. (Hattie Noel and Louise Beavers were considered for Mammy.) But once shooting began it seemed they disagreed about everything and he was replaced with Fleming. Then Selznick (politely) fired cameraman Lee Garmes, who had shot most of the material in the first hour, including the barbecue at Twelve Trees which Selznick - preferring primary colours - had complained of being too 'neutral', the prayer scene 'too dark'. These scenes are probably the most beautiful in the film. Ernie Haller replaced Garmes, having never shot a colour film before, and shared the Oscar with Ray Rennahan. Then Fleming fell ill and Sam Wood took over... The filming all happened January - June, 1939.

William Cameron Menzies was responsible for the colour design

Have to mention Harry Davenport, Butterfly McQueen, Leslie Howerd, Thomas Mitchell and Barbara O'Neil (Scarlett's parents), Oscar Polk. And Max Steiner, Hal Kern (editor), Lyle Wheeler (art direction), Walter Plunkett (costumes).

It was the first film we saw on Blu-Ray, 10 December 2010, and apparently noticed a wonky banister outside one of the houses!