GONE WITH THE WIND Hits #1 On Amazon Bestseller List and Sells Out After HBO Max Removes the Film From Its Service

The classic 1936 novel turned 1939 Oscar-winning film Gone With the Wind has seen a new controversy almost a century after it was first released. The film was recently released on the new streaming service, HBO Max, but with the current climate of our country taking a look at the racial biases and injustices we are still facing today, they have decided to pull the movie, stating they pledge “to eventually bring the film back ‘with a discussion of its historical context’ while denouncing its racial missteps.”

The story, written by Margaret Mitchell, that is told in the book and film are of the Civil War-era south, and the effects it had on the wealthy and spoiled Scarlett O’Hara and her family. The book and film do an incredible job of depicting the war, but after all this time, they feel the need to clarify that though we can enjoy watching the characters in the film, the ideals of the south are clearly not ideal today.

Gone With the Wind won eight Oscars, including the first Oscar ever awarded to a black person. That award went to Hattie McDaniel for her role as the ever-loyal house slave Mammy.

While we wait for HBO Max to add the changes to the rerelease of the film, you might think you’d want to buy the film on DVD, Blu-ray or pick up the 70th Anniversary Edition of the movie. But Amazon says good luck finding a copy, every version of the is sold out, making it surge to the #1 on the Amazon’s movies and TV bestseller list. So while this has been an unexpected happening, at least it has gotten people interested in getting acquainted with the incredible story. Deadline reports that one Blu-ray copy was being offered for $334.01.

I also love the novel that the film is based on, and I think it taught me more about the Civil War than I ever learned in school. Luckily I still have my copy.

Here is the statement released by on HBO Max spokesperson:

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.

Are you out trying to get yourself a copy of Gone With the Wind?