3 Classic Romances Make a Great Film Tripod

GONE WITH THE WIND (1939) Starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh; directed by Victor Fleming; produced by David O' Selznick.

It's still the most popular film ever made (adjusted for inflation). It's a timeless classic that will never die. Ever since David O' Selznik (sp?) made this masterpiece, there has only been two others that are even in the same league (Casablanca and Titanic). It could be called the greatest film, it could be called the most beloved film, and it certainly can be called the greatest love story of the 20 Century. Rhett and Scarlett are two of the greatest characters in the history of film.

This is the first truly great epic film. This is cinema at its best.

SECOND LEG

TITANIC (1997) Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet; directed by James Cameron; produced by James Cameron and Jon Landau

I am confused. Many have openly admitted that the amount of money Titanic could not have been made by teenyboppers. Titanic succeeded where so many others have failed because it is that good. I wonder if those Titanic haters are jealous. I wonder if they value their one-dimensional perspectives so much, they can't see the forest through the trees. Titanic is a truly great film.

When I first heard about the newest AFI 100 greatest films list, I was counting the days to see just where Titanic would stand. They advertised this list with several pictures of several great films, including Titanic. The Godfather, Citizen Kane and Casablanca were among those films listed. Boy, did Titanic ever look appropriately placed among those equally great movies.

The film made millions - almost billions. Is that any reason to attack it? No. As far as the screenplay complaints are concerned, what makes a great screenplay? If these naysayers can write me a better screenplay to fit perfectly with each and every scene shot in Titanic, I'll start to listen to those complaints. Until then, the film works perfectly with the dialogue that it has. In some ways I can't help but wonder if everyone saw the movie and fell in love with this 3 hour long, costume drama, "chick flick" about death, and rejected it.

I bet anything, everyone who first saw the film were instantly awe-struck, and instantly inspired by it. They automatically started considering it among the greatest ever. Then they realized that the film was all the work of one man. It was his screenplay, his editing, his directing, his producing that made the film so great. It may be easy to bash a film that becomes so sucessful when it is all one man's vision. I just don't know.

I've seen my share of films. I've seen Citizen Kane, The Godfather, Lawrence of Arabia, Gone with the Wind and even Schindler's List enough times to really start critiquing them. Titanic is no better or worse in my opinion - just different. Titanic belonged in the top ten on their 100 greatest list. Instead, they put the film under Forrest Gump. There must be something about James Cameron's filmmaking that everyone hates. If it's not jealousy, then what is it? Everyone knows that Ridley Scott's films haven't exactly been all-together successful. Everyone knows that once great directors like De Palma need not be on that list. But when a filmmaker can put out good film after good film or in Cameron's case, great film after great film, there's always something they'll find to use against him. He's an artist. He's in the same lot as Alfred Hitchcock. They probably didn't think much of his art until the more recent years.

Titanic will most likely be remembered as his greatest achievement. And, rightly so.

THIRD LEG

Casablanca (1942) Starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman; directed by Michael Curtiz; produced by Hal B. Wallis

I'm of three minds on the subject of the greatest love story. It's either this remarkable film in which Rick (Bogart) sends Ilsa (Bergman) off for the greater cause, Gone With The Wind in which Scarlett O'Hara doesn't realize she loves Rhett until its too late, or Titanic in which Rose DeWitt Bukator carries the memory of Jack Dawson in her heart throughout a titanic lifetime. It's tough... so, I don't think I'll even try.

I will say that Casablanca means so much to so many people, to even write a review, I feel like I'm walking on pins and needles. The dialogue is still some of the best written ever. You've got the most timeless lines; "Here's lookin' at you, kid" or "Of all the gin joints in all the cities in all the world, she walks into mine" or "We'll always have Paris". But, visually, it's not quite as inspired, stunning or meaningful as its big-budget counterparts. Is that a good or a bad thing? Tough to say.

I think the three films outdo one another in certain areas. Where Casablanca fails in terms of its visuals, Gone With The Wind and Titanic succeed with flying colors. No pun intended. Where Gone With The Wind may get tiresome after the first three hours, Casablanca and Titanic succeed so much better in terms of pace. Where Titanic fails with dialogue is where Casablanca and Gone With The Wind succeed gloriously. It's a beautiful triangle of great romance, great action, and great drama if you ask me.

After so many years, Casablanca still looks great. Die-hard fans should love all of the new extras in this set.

For being one of the three legs in a tripod of love set against apocolyptic backdrops in which the lovers are tested, forced to separate, and ultimately give their audiences a greater view of the world... (let me catch my breath)... Casablanca may be the one leg that supports the other two best.