Gone With the Wind: Film returns to HBO Max with disclaimer that it ‘denies the horrors of slavery’
Classic film was removed from platform earlier this month over ‘racist depictions’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Gone with the Wind has been reinstated by HBO Max, accompanied by a disclaimer saying the film “denies the horrors of slavery”.
The 1939 classic, set in the years after the American Civil War, was removed from the US streaming service following criticism of its “racist depictions” earlier this month.
It follows the love story of Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh), the daughter of a plantation owner and Rhett Butler (Clark Gable), a gambler. Over the years, it has been criticised for presenting the Antebellum South and its history of slavery through rose-tinted glasses.
After being taken down by HBO Max, Gone with the Wind has now returned to the site, along with two videos discussing its historical context.
One clip features TV host and film scholar Jacqueline Stewart, who says that while the movie was “one of most enduringly popular films of all time”, its depiction of African American people was controversial even when it was released 80 years ago.
“Producer David O Selznick was well aware that black audiences were deeply concerned about the film’s handling of the topic of slavery and its treatment of black characters,” she said.
She added that the film’s treatment of the Antebellum South as a “world of grace and beauty… through a lens of nostalgia denies the horrors of slavery, as well as its legacies of racial inequality”.
The second video features a panel debating Gone with the Wind’s “complicated legacy”.
Hattie McDaniel, who played house servant Mammy in the film, became the first African American to win an Oscar when she was awarded the accolade for Best Supporting Actress.
However, due to racial segregation, she was not allowed to sit with the other cast members at the ceremony dinner.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments