An "old-fashioned and irresistible" love story set against the American Civil War, Gone With The Wind blew audiences away when it was first released in 1939. Over 65 years later this epic film, starring Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable, is still a force to be reckoned with. Adjusted for inflation, it has grossed an estimated $2 billion in box office receipts making it one of the most successful films in history. Of course the figure is always rising, helped along by the release of this four-disc Collector's Edition DVD.

Where Shall I Go, What Shall I Do?

Christopher Plummer narrates The Making Of A Legend, a compelling and exhaustively detailed documentary on the making of the film. Two hours is barely enough time to record the many trials and tribulations that affected production. MGM studio head David O Selznick is both the hero and the villain of the piece, browbeating his staff, firing George Cukor and hiring Victor Fleming, trampling over egos to find his Scarlett O'Hara, ordering re-shoots and raiding the editing suite.

As well as interviews with those unfortunate enough to have crossed swords with Selznick, this documentary also showcases screen tests for actors like Paulette Goddard and Katharine Hepburn (who were in the running for Scarlett). Interestingly Selznick passed on Hepburn because she was "hated by the public at the time" and "lacked the sex qualities". Amusing behind-the-scenes footage also finds Clark Gable being pulled around on a glorified skateboard during a ballroom scene, after it was found that his dancing lacked fluidity. Ouch.

Technophiles will also love Restoring A Legend, a featurette that goes into unusual depth about the process of re-mastering a Technicolor movie, which has its own specific set of problems. Newly developed techniques like "edge detection" were crucial, not just in restoring the film to its former glory, but surpassing the original for lush colour and definition.

Frankly, My Dear...

Biographical documentaries on Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable highlight the extraordinary impact that Gone With The Wind had on each of their careers. Both actors' lives were touched by tragedy though, particularly Leigh who suffered with manic depression. There's scandal too as both stars fell into extra-marital affairs (Gable with Carol Lombard and Leigh with Laurence Olivier) proving that true life can often be as dramatic as the best Hollywood movies. Seven featurettes profiling the supporting cast are also included.

Actress Olivia de Havilland (Melanie) gets her own forum and is still sharp at 88 years old. In a 40-minute interview she vividly recounts her experiences with Selznick, Leigh, Gable et al. It's like sitting around the fire with your grandma as she tells you romantic tales of how things used to be, but it was a dream that almost didn't come true. De Havilland was a contract player at Warner Bros when MGM came calling and had to schmooze Jack Warner's wife in order to squirm free of the legal bind.

Enhancing the air of nostalgia are an audio commentary by film historian Rudy Behlmer, newsreel footage from the 1939 and 1961 premieres in Atlanta and an original film short about 'The Old South' (which sets the scene for Gone With The Wind). Frankly my dears, this four-disc edition is essential to your DVD collection.

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