David O Selznick wanted the railroad scene of the Confederate wounded to be the longest and highest 'pull back' in film history to depict the shocking human wastage of war. Today it would be easy with a helicopter shot but it was impossible in 1939. A search through California found a crane rig of 125 feet with a 90 foot extension. Selznick wanted 2,500 extras but his budget advisors cut the number to1,600 +1,200 dummies. The Screen Extras Guild, hearing of this demanded real people were used for all the wounded. Selznick agreed but the Guild could only supply 1,500. Filming started with George Cukor directing but Clark Gable complained that he was being overworked.Selznick felt he needed a director experienced in spectacle aspects. Cukor resigned upsetting Vivien Leigh and Olivia de Haviland but their protests were ignored by Selznick who consulted Clark Gable on a replacement director. Clark suggested Victor Fleming who took firm control. At the fire sequence stuntman Yakima Canutt (Gable's long time double) drove the horse and buggy while another stuntman stood in for Scarlett, who at that time hadn't been cast.

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