To write the screenplay Selznick hired Sidney Howard, a respected playwright, although he rewrote Howard's script himself and gave it to other writers to improve it until he finally came back to Howard to produce the script, Selznick himself adding the scene at the end of the film that brings Scarlett back to Tara. .
Selznick himself also wrote the films now famous prologue which introduces the audience to a 'land of cavaliers and cattle fields' and ' a civilisation gone with the wind'.
One of the most important decisions in regards to the production was to make the film in colour, specifically the relatively new Technicolor technique (it was the fourteenth film to use it), giving breathtaking beauty to the scenes and specifically the deep south scenery, which served as a beautiful background to the enthralling story and its colourful characters.
Probably the one aspect that could make or break a film adaptation of Margaret Mitchell's classical tale of a love-hate romance and civil war was the casting, specifically for the pivotal character of Scarlett O Hara, the beautiful, high-tempered and strong willed sixteen year old around which the story revolves.
Selznick had his vision for Scarlett O Hara and he intended to match it, however long and arduous the process, but after a two year search, countless rumours and gossip, the contenders were narrowed down to two actresses, Paulette Goddard the rumoured favourite, and a little known English actress called Vivien Leigh, it was the stunningly beautiful Leigh who finally landed the role which every actress in Hollywood wanted.
This casting choice is thought of to be one of Selznick's greatest moves, Leigh became Scarlett and received an Oscar for her amazing performance as the beautiful southern belle.
The character of Scarlett breaks the conventions of movies at the time, instead of being virginal and homely, Scarlett is flirtatious and has driving ambitions for herself, and Vivien Leigh brings out these facets of her character with emotion and vigour.
