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John Wayne built his legendary career on rugged Westerns and war films, so one of the movies he ranked among his all-time favorites may come as a surprise.
In 1977, the Oscar winner revealed his five favorite films for The People's Almanac Volume II, a collection of responses from Academy Award-winning actors. Among his selections was 1939's Gone with the Wind, the sweeping Civil War epic starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh.
Decades later, the film remains one of Hollywood's most celebrated (and most debated) classics.
John Wayne Named 'Gone with the Wind' Among His Favorite Films
Wayne's list featured a mix of personal and professional favorites, including two of his own collaborations with longtime director John Ford: The Quiet Man (1952) and The Searchers (1956).
But another in his top was Gone with the Wind, a selection that stands out given the type of films that made him a household name.
Released in 1939 and directed by Victor Fleming, Gone with the Wind follows the turbulent romance between Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh) and Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) against the backdrop of the American Civil War and Reconstruction.
The film dominated the Academy Awards, winning eight competitive Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress for Leigh. Hattie McDaniel also made history as the first Black performer to win an Academy Award for her supporting role as Mammy.
'Gone with the Wind' Ranked Among the Greatest Movies Ever Made
More than 85 years after its release, Gone with the Wind continues to appear on lists celebrating cinema's greatest achievements.
TIME included the film in its roundup of the 100 greatest movies of the past 10 decades, praising its ability to captivate audiences while acknowledging the complicated legacy surrounding its depiction of the Old South.
The publication argued that the film's enduring power comes from its unforgettable central performances and its willingness to dismantle the romanticized world it initially presents. It also praised the work of Leigh, Gable, McDaniel, and Butterfly McQueen, noting that the latter two actresses delivered remarkable performances despite the limitations imposed by Hollywood during the era.
