Gone With the Wind set the mold in which all epic films are cast. Clocking in at an imposing 4 hours long, and having a reputation for racism, it's not seem the most inviting film in your library, but it's well worth seeing.
Never have I seen a movie that was so long that held my attention so well. Not only did the film keep me interested right until the closing shot, the interest lingered on. Usually nonplussed by period pieces whose lavish set design and costumes I generally see as an affectation masking the true worth of a story, I was quite enraptured by this film.
The quality of the film is due to its synthesis of quality at all stages of the production process. The acting, directing and most of all writing were all superb.