HBO Max has removed 1939 Best Picture winner “Gone With The Wind” from its library in the wake of protests over the death of George Floyd.
The removal follows in the wake of a Los Angeles Times op-ed written by “12 Years a Slave” screenwriter John Ridley calling for the film to be taken down for its perpetuation of racial stereotypes and rose-tinted approach to slavery and romanticism of the Confederacy.
When adjusted for inflation, ‘Wind’ still holds the record for being the highest-grossing film of all time. Though initially acclaimed, it wasn’t without criticism at the time and the work has since been looked back on less fondly with time – racking up numerous essays from film writers about its troublesome depictions.
An HBO Max spokesperson has issued a statement via THR saying the film eventually return to the platform:
“‘Gone With The Wind’ is a product of its time and depicts some of the ethnic and racial prejudices that have, unfortunately, been commonplace in American society. These racist depictions were wrong then and are wrong today, and we felt that to keep this title up without an explanation and a denouncement of those depictions would be irresponsible.
These depictions are certainly counter to WarnerMedia’s values, so when we return the film to HBO Max, it will return with a discussion of its historical context and a denouncement of those very depictions, but will be presented as it was originally created, because to do otherwise would be the same as claiming these prejudices never existed. If we are to create a more just, equitable and inclusive future, we must first acknowledge and understand our history.”
The quotation issued by the spokesperson is very similar to, and in some instances a word for word copy of, the disclaimer that Warners presently uses in front of some of its vintage “Looney Tunes” cartoons. It’s likely the film will be added back with a similar disclaimer in front of it shortly.
The removal of the film has drawn cries of censorship from some conservative commentators, even though the film remains freely available on almost every other VOD platform known to man and Warners has insisted the removal is only temporary.
The movie won eight Oscars at the 12th Academy Awards, including a Supporting Actress Oscar for Hattie McDaniel – the first black person to win the award. However due to racial segregation at the ceremony, she sat separately from her co-stars.
