Classic Film example essay topic

The films "Gone With The Wind" and "Glory" directed by David Selznick and Edward Zwick respectively, discuss similar themes. These are both film classics and important movies based on the American Civil War. There are many different themes and issues raised in both movies and the messages presented vary in purpose. "Gone With The Wind" is a movie that was created with a vision for entertainment and is a classic tale of a love-hate romance set before and during the civil war. "Glory" however, was made with the purpose to inspire, inform and educate society of the crucial involvement of the Black-American soldiers during the American Civil War. "Gone With The Wind" is the most beloved, enduring and most popular film of all time with three years of advanced publicity and Hollywood myth-making, three and a half hours running time (with an intermission) and a gala premiere on 15 December 1939 in Atlanta.

The highest-grossing film status and the use of Technicolor (the 11th movie ever to use this), the film was a blockbuster in its own time. "Gone With The Wind" is an historical epic, a classical tale of a love-hate romance during the American Civil War with many issues such as birth, death and the recreation of a civilisation. It is a story of jealousy, greed, persistence, obsession and the love of a land. The determined heroine, Scarlett O'Hara struggles to find love during the Civil War years and afterwards, seeks refuge for herself and her family at the much-loved plantation 'Tara'. Authenticity is enhanced by the costuming, sets, and music.

"Glory" also explores similar themes that were present in "Gone With The Wind", but it does so in a different way. "Glory" was the first major Hollywood film to acknowledge the essential contribution of the African-American soldiers. It was made to inspire and educate the audience on issues that were rampant during the Civil War. These themes included racism, slavery, freedom, honour, pride and in particular bravery.

It achieves its powerful impact by carefully setting up the terrible conditions of the human spirit, from the cruelty of black slavery. The film tells the story of the 54th Regiment of the Massachusetts Voluntary Infantry. It is an all-black unit, comprising of Northern freemen and escaped slaves. The 54th Regiment served admirably in battle until they made their vital demonstration of bravery during the almost suicidal assault on the Confederate Fort Wagner in Charleston, South Carolina. Colonel Robert Gould Shaw (played by Matthew Broderick) is selected to lead the 54th Regiment, the first all black regiment of the Civil War. He struggles for the respect from his men, but his tenacity as a leader brings admiration from his men and his peers.

Among the natural leaders of the 54th were Trip (Denzel Washington), an escaped slave and John Rawlins (Morgan Freeman), first seen in the film as a gravedigger. "Glory" is a more realistic and believable movie, especially the fact that none of the movie was a fantasy or dream. It has very dramatic scenes such as exploding heads and fierce battles. Until this movie was released, many people were unaware of the black soldier's contribution to the Civil War. "Gone With The Wind" however created more of vision based film, written for the entertainment of a willing audience. Both the films were based on novels.

The "Gone With The Wind" script was derived from Margaret Mitchell's first and only published, best selling novel. David O. Selznick (director of "Gone With The Wind") acquired the film rights to Mitchell's novel for $50,000 - a record amount at the time. "Glory" alternatively, was based on the books Lay This Laurel, by Lincoln Kirsten and One Gallant Rush by Peter Burkhard. The wartime letters of Robert Gould Shaw contributed to historical value of the film. One of the advantages that film has over radio, television and novels, is the ability that the creators have to heighten and develop meaning in the characters. This can be done in many ways such as the background music, the background setting, the costumes or clothing that the actors and actresses are wearing and the portrayal of the personality of the character.

"Gone With The Wind" can without doubt be confirmed as a 'classic' as it fits into most of the required criteria. The film has a unified, believable plot, with the storyline following Scarlett during the lead up and then the journey through the Civil War. The film has a complex plot with complex characters and the characters will (and have been for many decades) remembered long after. The actors and actresses are believable although parts of the film have been over exaggerated. "Gone With The Wind" also has many memorable scenes (such as the 'Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn) and characters, such as Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler. The classic film has broken technological ground and has had an undeniable influence on altering and advancing the development of cinema.

Technicolour was so new during the making of "Gone With The Wind" that all the Technicolour cameras (seven) had to be used for the burning of Atlanta scene. The historical significance and achievement of this film will forever and a day be understated. "Glory" is also considered as a classic film of its genre. The film with its strong performances and vivid relationships changes the views and opinions of the audience watching the film and has many memorable scenes and characters. An example of this is the scene where Denzel Washington's character Trip, is heartbreaking flogged.

"Glory" too has a special quality of excellence in acting from the courageous Morgan Freeman. With a universal theme, the film has meaning and relevance to people of all ages. "Glory" and "Gone With The Wind" have many similarities in the theme, medium of film used and issues, however there are also many differences. "Glory" is a strong and dramatic film, while "Gone With The Wind" is a fantasy film. Both the films can be classified as classics as both of the films fit into the required categories of a film classic.