Review: 'Gone with the Wind' (1939) 4K UHD

Gone with the Wind is now available to own on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. This release is a beautifully remastered celebration, with three dazzling versions: standard 4K UHD, a 4K UHD Steelbook, and the Special Collector's Edition (available only at Walmart.com). 

The 4K release features three new Special Features: The Influence that Endures, Restoring and Preserving an Epic, and Scarlett O'Hara: A Woman Ahead of Her Time. Additionally, it includes previously released featurettes and documentaries that explore the film's historical significance and cultural impact.

Let's not sugarcoat it: Gone with the Wind remains a lightning rod for controversy. It has faced scrutiny since 1939. In 2020, HBO Max briefly removed it after an op-ed criticized its portrayal of race. Critics and historians rallied against the decision, and the film returned, though with a new introduction that serves more as a disclaimer. While the warning about its racist themes may frame it as a product of its time, it can feel like a cloud dampening the rich tapestry of what the film undeniably represents.

In truth, branding Gone with the Wind simply as racist is like branding Macbeth as merely a story about a guy with ambition. The film centers on Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh), a stubborn Southern belle whose schemes unravel like a desperate thread. She marries men, including Rhett Butler (Clark Gable), out of jealousy and revenge. At its core, it’s not just her tale of obsession with the married Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard); it's a vivid and tumultuous journey through a world engulfed in civil war and social upheaval. Scarlett is undoubtedly a toxic character, willing to manipulate and betray for what she believes is love.

The film is a sweeping epic, running 233 minutes with an overture, intermission, and entr'acte. Don’t let its runtime scare you; like Margaret Mitchell's novel, which it's adapted from, it draws you in, thrilling you with beautiful costumes and set designs. Some might label it a love story, but the real love story exists only in Scarlett’s scheming mind. Her tantrums and manipulations will be cheered by some viewers, but others will roll their eyes in disgust.

Having watched the film in bits and pieces during my childhood, I developed an early appreciation for its opulence, shaped by my grandmother's adoration for it. I revisited it years later on DVD and enjoyed it, but I fell in love with the film after experiencing it on the 4K UHD. Sure, the new transfer isn’t entirely pristine; there are a handful of scenes that are a bit out-of-focus and grainy. Yet, even with those imperfections, the vibrant colors leap off the screen.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray includes three discs: two dedicated to the film, requiring you to switch at intermission, and a third with the Special Features. The three new featurettes don’t break new ground, running a mere 7-8 minutes each. The one that stood out for me was Restoring and Preserving an Epic.

So, is the 4K UHD worth adding to your collection? If you’re a fan of Gone with the Wind, I would argue it's a must-have. If you're a movie buff or a film student, viewing it at least once is essential. Whatever your opinions about the film, its historical significance in Hollywood cannot be overstated. It’s an experience, a hauntingly beautiful film that, despite the controversies and critiques, still resonates in 2026. ╌★★★★½ (4K UHD) ╌★★★★★ (Film)

Please consider supporting future reviews on this blog by purchasing Gone with the Wind on 4K UHD Blu-ray ^[*] or  Steelbook ^[*].

〜B.J. Burgess

Disclosure: I received a free review copy from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. [*]