Rossella

I am a huge Gone With the Wind fan, and I read "Scarlett" before it was a miniseries and loved it. This is a sequel of sorts. Like you didn't expect it with that "Frankly dear, I don't give a damn" ending. Timothy Dalton was great as Rhett, though no one will ever replace Clark Gable. Joann Whaley-Kilmer, on the other hand, could give Vivien Leigh a run for her money (though I feel almost guilty even saying that.) Her attitude and presence in the film fits the character to a tee, making you love and hate her at the same time, which is how most feel about Ms. Leigh's portrayal as well. The film does move slowly, mostly because it follows the book so closely and was not released as a feature film. Excellent choice on the producer's part. I think this movie deserves some recognition for the great storyline, the revival of characters that had been gone for almost 50 years, and for being something that even Margaret Mitchell herself could have been proud of.

Overall, I enjoyed the movie Scarlett. I am a huge fan of Gone with the Wind. I have read the book and seen the classic movie many times. I even have a small collection of Scarlett O'Hara ornaments and other things. I must admit that Gone with the Wind is my all-time favourite book and movie. Vivian Leigh and Clark Gable are remarkable actors and two of my favourites. Unfortunately, I was unable to read the book Scarlett, but I was excited to see the movie. Truth be told, the movie is not any where close to the calibre of Gone with the Wind and neither are the actors. However, Joan Whalley Kilmer and Timothy Dalton were pleasant actors in the roles and at many times Joan sounded like Vivian Leigh in her portrayal of Scarlett. Dalton also portrayed Rhett well at times. It took some time getting used to the different actors, but overall I really enjoyed it ,being the fan of Gone with the Wind as I am. One major disappointment was that Joan did not have green eyes and Scarlett O'Hara and Vivian Leigh both did. I also found the Lord Fenton absolutely appalling and I did not like his character. If you are a Gone with the Wind fan and/or enjoy romantic stories, see the movie Scarlett. However, do not expect it to be remarkable like Gone with the Wind. It is far from it although it is interesting with the new characters and so on. I am happy it is not a remake and some of the events in the story was what I imagined the continuation to be of the Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler love story. If you haven't seen it today, get it tomorrow…after all tomorrow is another day. :)

This very long sequel to "Gone with the Wind" is an EPIC disappointment. What the storyline is will vary from viewer to viewer - my take is that it started with the funeral of "Melanie Hamilton" (unseen), proceeded with the death of "Mammy" (Esther Rolle), and meandered around until "Scarlett O'Hara" (Joanne Whalley) found her "Roots". She does this by going to Ireland, and stands in some Stonehenge type rubble, which is the original "Tara". If you don't know what "Tara" is, you probably shouldn't be watching this one. As in Margaret Mitchell's original story, "Rhett Butler" (Timothy Dalton) pops in and out of Scarlett's life.

Neither Ms. Whalley nor Mr. Dalton are very impressive, and the script doesn't help them very much; since the "Rhett" character is (and always was) more secondary, Whalley fares worse. In lesser roles, other actors have good moments. Probably, the best performance arrives later in the running time - with Sean Bean's wicked "Lord Richard Fenton". When Mr. Bean takes the screen, he TAKES the screen - he will wake you up. "Fenton" is purely evil, and may not belong in Margaret Mitchell's cast of characters, but at least Bean brings some passion to the proceedings. The original book and film were full of PASSION, and this follow-up has so very little… The sets, costumes, and locations are extremely beautiful, though…

***** Scarlett (11/13-17/94) John Erman ~ Joanne Whalley, Timothy Dalton, Sean Bean

When I saw Gone with the wind I thought that there could not be better actors than Vivian Leigh and Clark Gable to play Scarlett and Rhett but then I saw the movie Scarlet. I fell in love for this dramatic story. I love Timothy Dalton as Rhett Butler, he's fantastic. This is a movie I could watch a thousand times and it still wouldn't bore me.

I have leafed through enough derogatory comments on this miniseries that I will scream if I don't respond. As for the comparisons of Joanne Whalley (now minus the 'Kilmer') to Vivian Leigh and of Timothy Dalton to Clark Gable, "Scarlett" is not meant to replace the original "GWTW" any more than these two lead stars are meant to replace Clark and Gable! "Scarlett" is meant to be a good time, even if it isn't a classic. I like Mr. Dalton's roguish, believably disarming portrayal of Rhett Butler because he also makes his Rhett capable of feeling for other people, such as Anne. Only one word sums up Mr. Dalton: STUD! Ms. Whalley makes a charming if somewhat flawed Scarlett as her sororal relationship with cousin Colum O'Hara (Colm Meaney) reveals. Sean Bean's portrayal of Lord Fenton stands out the most for me because his Fenton is simultaneously a charming hottie (yes, Mr. Bean is just that--a hottie though he is a hottie who is also a father) and an unbelievably cruel racist, as the mistreated Mary Boyle (Tina Kellegher) finds out to her cost when he rejects her and their ill-fated unborn child. Scarlett soon wises up and tries to break up with him, only to find out Lord Fenton will not accept "No!" or "You're a loser!" or "This one-night-stand is over!" for an answer though he sure doesn't mind snarling those phrases out! "Scarlett" is certainly not meant for the easily squeamish. All I am going to say about the naysayers who don't think "Scarlett" deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as "GWTW" is this: Get over it and either enjoy its odd twists and turns or let the fans enjoy this miniseries without speaking in the fans' ears!