It’s the title of a documentary on the making of GONE WITH THE WIND – a film that many people would argue is the greatest film of all time (and depending on the day, I might be one of them).  I’d never seen it before – the documentary, that is.  And all I can say is, I had no idea…

It seems the central figure in GONE WITH THE WIND was David Selznick, the film’s producer.  Even if you believe half of how the documentary tells the story and then divide that by three, it’s undeniable that this man was so beyond IMPASSIONED to bring the story to the screen like no story had ever before been brought to the screen, that he was willing to risk everything to get exactly what he wanted – and what he wanted was virtually perfection – on every level.

There was the painstaking search for the actress who would portray Scarlett.  They auditioned every actress in town and actresses across the country.  They put women who were great stars at the time – Katherine Hepburn, Lana Turner and even Lucille Ball – through screen test after screen test… 

It went on for more than a year, if I recall. And at the end of the day Selznick still didn’t have his Scarlett.  In fact, the filming had actually begun when he finally was introduced to Vivian Leigh – literally on the set while they were shooting the burning of Atlanta.

And the point of all that? No matter the pressure from the studio and from everyone else, there was NO way that Selznick was going to compromise even the slightest inch.  He didn’t care how great any actress was or how big a name she had, he was going to search and search no matter the time, no matter the cost… until he found EXACTLY his Scarlett.

And he was the same way with the costuming, the sets, the script, the lighting…  I actually saw footage of Clark Gable trying on hat after hat, obviously totally annoyed, turing left and turning right, tweaking the hat this way and that… all to get everything “perfect.” 

Then I saw interview after interview of crewmembers talking about how everyone despised Selznick because he was forever saying this/that wasn’t good enough.  In fact, the film went through three directors and who-knows-how-many writers.  One director quit and then returned to finish the film – all because this guy was driving them so crazy.  All because Selznick wanted it to be so right.  All because he wouldn’t settle for anything less than excellence beyond excellence.

I tell you, I’m inspired!  Together, we’re about the business of bringing the most breathtaking, awe-inspiring, life-changing, universe altering… reality of all to the screen – the gospel of Jesus Christ!  We’re about the business of bringing the most breathtaking, awe-inspiring, life-changing, universe altering… Person of all to the screen – JESUS! 

Oh, how much “more” this film needs to be! Oh, how I need to make David Selznick seem like a lukewarm push-over. 

We’re making a Jesus movie – a movie intended to change lives across the world for generations.  And oh, how it needs to be everything and then some, that it can possibly be.

I tell you, watching that documentary was a course in how a film – most especially this film we’re making - is supposed to be made.  And as I write these words, I vow before you and before HIM, we will cut no corners.  We will accept nothing less than everything JESUS NGL can be. 

We will pour ourselves into every detail, that every detail would both honor God and draw souls unto him.  Even now, as I’m working on finalizing the script, I am INTENT that every scene, every frame, every shot… must carry fullness of impact and meaning.  And that meaning?   JESUS!

I promise you that absolutely nothing in this film will be taken for granted or glossed over.  David Selznick, step aside – you ain’t seen nothing yet!  And why?  Because as wonderful as the story of Scarlett and Rhett Butler is, it ain’t nothin’ compared to the story of Jesus. 

In fact, if I can say this, we have to pursue JESUS NGL not only in hopes of making the greatest Jesus movie possible, but the greatest just-plain-movie period!  And why?  BECAUSE IT’S ABOUT HIM.  And if anything deserves the best… it’s Jesus.

Glory to the name of Jesus!

Bruce Marchiano