I agree. I watched the Blu-ray disc a few weeks ago and made a firm decision: in future I will start the disc at the ball scene where we meet Rhett Butler for the first time, and I'll switch off after Ward Bond's scene. For me, between those points it's a damn good film but either side: yawnsville!
I wasn't alive in 1940 and I haven't yet seen the Gone With The Wind Blu-ray so I can't comment on mediagy's observations except to say that I find them fascinating. I do hope that some-one suitably qualified will respond.