Super curricular

 

 Media Magazine article- Super curricular

Bonnie and Clyde- MM Sept 2011

The article explores Bonnie and Clyde's infamous criminal legacy and the impact it had on American culture. It discussed their romanticized image as outlaws during the Great Depression, their violent crimes and how media portrayal contributed to their notoriety. Their criminal activities included: bank robberies, burglaries, and murders would be highlighted as a response to the economic hardships of the time. This article also discussed how the film was put into place.

In the 1960s, we are told that French New Wave classics were becoming more popular in the United States, and it was hoped that the French critical approach would be adopted by American film culture. Two directors introduced the film script to Warren Beatty, a rising star. Robert Newman and David Benton were inspired by these and attempted to get someone to pick up their American new wave script for Bonnie and Clyde. Newman and Benton asked Francois Truffaut to direct, which he declined due to scheduling conflicts but “gifted them an iconic montage sequence for the script” that featured Bonnie narrating a poem. Truffaut also did them a favour by mentioning the film to Warren Beatty.

Beatty was worried about being typecasted as a ‘pretty boy and saw an opportunity to get out of this, and also produce with Bonnie and Clyde. However, Beatty and his associate,

 

Arthur Penn, were worried about the three way sexual relationship between Bonnie, Clyde and another gang member. There were concerns about homophobia from the public. This aspect of the film was removed, but Clyde was given a sexual dysfunction, impotence instead.

 The film production went ahead in South Texas. The film went of to win an Oscar for cinematography. With the repeal of the production code in 1966, Bonnie and Clyde became more sexually liberated and also contained a lot more violence than American films typically had before this.

In a scene where Clyde is shot, squibs were used to simulate blood spray from a gunshot. This scene was particularly challenging to shoot and required numerous squibs. The police were also portrayed negatively in the film, which sparked controversy. For example, Frank Hammer is portrayed as both incompetent and vengeful, prompting the Hamer family to sue.