In the wake of the controversy that has ensued from HBO Max temporarily pulling “Gone With the Wind” from its streaming service late yesterday, other outlets have all cashed in.
The 1939 classic shot to the top of Amazon’s bestseller list overnight and is currently occupying the #1, #8 & #9 slots for its DVD, Blu-ray and the 70th Anniversary Edition versions respectively. In fact demand was high enough that the Civil War-era film appears to have sold out in every format.
The run of sales is surprising given that HBO Max has said it will restore the film to its service as originally created but with “a discussion of its historical context”. In addition, the film remains available to purchase or rent digitally on iTunes, Google Play, Youtube, Vudu, Amazon VOD, Fandango Now, Redbox, Microsoft Store, DirecTV and AMC Theaters on Demand.
The film has long come under fire for effectively ignoring the horrors of slavery and romanticising the suffering of its famously unsympathetic heroine Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh). Even so, AFI ranks “Gone With the Wind” as the fourth best film ever made on its 100 Best Movies of All Time list.
Source: Deadline
