A US streaming service has pulled 'Gone With The Wind' from its library of films.

HBO Max has removed the 1939 picture over racist depictions, but said it will return later with more context.

In a statement quoted by NBC, a spokesperson said that "'Gone With The Wind’ is a product of its time and depicts some of the ethnic and racial prejudices that have, unfortunately, been commonplace in American society."

"These racist depictions were wrong then and are wrong today, and we felt that to keep this title up without an explanation and a denouncement of those depictions would be irresponsible".

When the film returns to the platform it "will be presented as it was originally created, because to do otherwise would be the same as claiming these prejudices never existed," the statement said.

"If we are to create a more just, equitable and inclusive future, we must first acknowledge and understand our history."

The film, which saw Hattie McDaniel become the first black person to win an Academy Award, has been criticised for its depiction of slavery.

It follows the death of African-American man George Floyd, who was killed on May 25th after police officer Derek Chauvin placed his knee on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds in Minneapolis, Minnesota.