How I Became a Gangster: The Confessions of a Notorious Criminal

Gangster Movies: A History and Analysis of the Genre

Gangster movies are a subgenre of crime film that focuses on gangs and organized crime. They have delivered some of the most powerful stories ever made and made actors and directors into household names and icons. In this article, we will explore the history and evolution of gangster movies, from their origins in the early 20th century to their contemporary state in the 21st century. We will also analyze how gangster movies portray gangsters as complex characters who challenge or reflect the social and cultural contexts in which they operate.

The Origins of Gangster Movies

The gangster movie genre emerged in the early 20th century, influenced by real-life criminals who captured the public's imagination with their daring exploits and sensational headlines. Some of these criminals were immortalized in books, magazines, newspapers, radio shows, and eventually films. Some of the earliest examples of gangster films are The Great Train Robbery (1903), which depicted a railroad heist by a group of outlaws; The Musketeers of Pig Alley (1912), which portrayed a street gang in New York City; and Little Caesar (1931), which followed the rise and fall of a small-time mobster.

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These films established some of the main characteristics of gangster movies, such as violence, crime, corruption, betrayal, loyalty, ambition, revenge, morality, justice, and tragedy. They also introduced some of the common elements of gangster movies, such as guns, cars, money, suits, hats, cigars, slang, accents, music, urban settings, police officers, judges, lawyers, reporters, and rivals.

The Golden Age of Gangster Movies

The genre reached its peak in the 1930s, with iconic films such as Scarface (1932), The Public Enemy (1931), and Angels with Dirty Faces (1938). These films portrayed gangsters as antiheroes, rebels, and outsiders, who rose from poverty and oppression to achieve wealth and power, but ultimately faced a tragic downfall. They also reflected the economic and political turmoil of the Great Depression, which created a sense of disillusionment, resentment, and desperation among many Americans. Gangster movies appealed to the audiences who identified with the gangsters' struggles, aspirations, and frustrations, or who were fascinated by their glamorous and dangerous lifestyles.

Some of the most famous actors and directors of this period were James Cagney, Edward G. Robinson, Humphrey Bogart, Paul Muni, George Raft, Jean Harlow, Mae Clarke, Howard Hawks, William Wellman, and Michael Curtiz. They created memorable characters and scenes that have become part of the cinematic history and culture. For example, the scene where Cagney smashes a grapefruit into Clarke's face in The Public Enemy; the scene where Robinson utters his famous line "Mother of mercy, is this the end of Rico?" in Little Caesar; the scene where Muni fires his machine gun at the camera in Scarface; and the scene where Cagney dies on the electric chair while pretending to be a coward in Angels with Dirty Faces.

The Decline and Revival of Gangster Movies

The genre declined in the 1940s and 1950s, due to several factors. One of them was the enforcement of the Production Code, which was a set of moral guidelines that regulated the content of Hollywood films. The Production Code imposed strict limitations on how gangster movies could depict violence, crime, sex, drugs, alcohol, religion, and politics. It also required that gangster movies should show the negative consequences of crime and the triumph of law and order. As a result, many gangster movies became less realistic, gritty, and daring, and more moralistic, sanitized, and formulaic.

Another factor was the rise of film noir, which was a subgenre of crime film that emerged in the 1940s and 1950s. Film noir was influenced by German expressionism, hard-boiled fiction, and post-war anxiety. It featured dark and pessimistic stories about corruption, deception, betrayal, and violence, involving cynical and disillusioned characters, such as private detectives, femme fatales, crooked cops, and ruthless criminals. Film noir borrowed some elements from gangster movies, such as urban settings, low-key lighting, and voice-over narration, but it also introduced new elements, such as flashbacks, nonlinear narratives, and psychological themes. Some of the classic examples of film noir are The Maltese Falcon (1941), Double Indemnity (1944), The Big Sleep (1946), and The Asphalt Jungle (1950).

A third factor was the changing tastes of audiences, who became more interested in other genres, such as westerns, musicals, comedies, and dramas. Gangster movies also faced competition from television, which offered more variety and accessibility to viewers. Some of the few gangster movies that were made in this period were either parodies, such as Some Like It Hot (1959), or biopics, such as Al Capone (1959).

The genre was revived in the 1960s and 1970s, with new approaches, styles, and themes. Some of the factors that contributed to this revival were the relaxation of the Production Code, the emergence of the New Hollywood movement, the influence of foreign cinema, and the social and cultural changes of the era. Some of the influential films of this period were Bonnie and Clyde (1967), which blended comedy, romance, and violence in a story about two notorious outlaws; The Godfather (1972) and its sequels, which depicted the saga of an Italian-American crime family with epic scope and depth; and Mean Streets (1973), which portrayed the lives of small-time hoodlums in New York City with realism and authenticity.

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Some of the most famous actors and directors of this period were Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, Francis Ford Coppola, Arthur Penn, and Martin Scorsese. They created unforgettable characters and scenes that have influenced many filmmakers and genres. For example, the scene where Beatty and Dunaway are shot to death in Bonnie and Clyde; the scene where Brando makes an offer that can't be refused in The Godfather; the scene where Pacino kills his brother in The Godfather Part II; and the scene where De Niro asks "You talkin' to me?" in Taxi Driver (1976), which was also a film noir influenced by gangster movies.

The Diversity and Globalization of Gangster Movies

The genre diversified and globalized in the 1980s and 1990s, with films from different countries, cultures, and subgenres. Some of the factors that contributed to this trend were the rise of independent cinema, the development of new technologies, the expansion of media markets, and the emergence of new issues and perspectives. Some of the examples of this trend are Scarface (1983), which was a remake of the 1932 film, but set in Miami and focused on a Cuban immigrant who becomes a drug lord; Goodfellas (1990), which was based on a true story of a mob associate who turns informant; City of God (2002), which was a Brazilian film that depicted the violent and chaotic lives of young criminals in a Rio de Janeiro slum; and Pulp Fiction (1994), which was a postmodern film that mixed elements of gangster movies, film noir, black comedy, and pop culture.

Some of the most famous actors and directors of this period were Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Ray Liotta, Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, Quentin Tarantino, Brian De Palma, Martin Scorsese, Fernando Meirelles, and Katia Lund. They created innovative and influential characters and scenes that have become part of the popular culture and discourse. For example, the scene where Pacino says "Say hello to my little friend" in Scarface; the scene where Pesci asks "Funny how?" in Goodfellas; the scene where Jackson recites a biblical passage before killing someone in Pulp Fiction; and the scene where Liotta narrates his life as a gangster in Goodfellas.

The Contemporary State of Gangster Movies

The genre has evolved in the 21st century, with films that deal with new issues, technologies, and perspectives. Some of the factors that contributed to this evolution were the impact of 9/11, the war on terror, the global financial crisis, the rise of social media, the emergence of new markets and audiences, and the diversity and representation of filmmakers and actors. Some of the examples of this evolution are The Departed (2006), which was a remake of a Hong Kong film that explored the themes of identity, loyalty, and deception among undercover cops and mobsters; American Gangster (2007), which was based on a true story of a Harlem drug lord who smuggled heroin from Vietnam; Black Mass (2015), which was based on a true story of a Boston mobster who collaborated with the FBI; and The Irishman (2019), which was a Netflix film that depicted the life and death of a hitman who claimed to have killed Jimmy Hoffa.

Some of the most famous actors and directors of this period were Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Johnny Depp, Benedict Cumberbatch, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Martin Scorsese, and Ridley Scott. They created compelling and realistic characters and scenes that have challenged and entertained the viewers. For example, the scene where DiCaprio and Damon realize they are both moles in The Departed; the scene where Washington negotiates with Crowe in American Gangster; the scene where Depp intimidates Cumberbatch in Black Mass; and the scene where De Niro kills Pesci in The Irishman.

Conclusion

Gangster movies are a subgenre of crime film that focuses on gangs and organized crime. They have a long and rich history that spans over a century and across the globe. They have also evolved and diversified over time, reflecting and influencing the social and cultural contexts in which they are made and consumed. Gangster movies offer powerful stories that explore the themes of violence, crime, corruption, morality, justice, and tragedy. They also feature complex characters who challenge or embody the values and norms of their societies. Gangster movies are not only entertaining and thrilling, but also insightful and meaningful.

If you are interested in learning more about gangster movies, here are some recommendations for further exploration:

• Watch some of the classic and contemporary gangster movies mentioned in this article, or find your own favorites.

• Read some of the books or articles that inspired or analyzed gangster movies, such as The Godfather by Mario Puzo, Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi, Gangster Film Reader by Alain Silver and James Ursini, and The Philosophy of Crime Films by Jerold J. Abrams.

• Listen to some of the podcasts or videos that discuss or review gangster movies, such as The Rewatchables by The Ringer, Gangster Movies by BBC Radio 4, and Top 10 Gangster Movies by WatchMojo.com.

• Join some of the online communities or forums that share or debate about gangster movies, such as r/GangsterMovies on Reddit, Gangster Movies on Facebook, and Gangster Movies on IMDb.

• Write your own gangster movie script or review, using the tips and techniques provided in this article.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers related to gangster movies:

• What is the difference between gangster movies and mafia movies?

Gangster movies are a broad subgenre of crime film that focuses on gangs and organized crime. Mafia movies are a specific subgenre of gangster movies that focuses on the Italian-American crime syndicate known as the Mafia or Cosa Nostra. Some examples of mafia movies are The Godfather trilogy, Goodfellas, Casino, Donnie Brasco, and The Sopranos.

• What are some of the best gangster movies of all time?

This is a subjective question that depends on personal preferences and criteria. However, some of the gangster movies that are widely regarded as the best by critics and audiences are The Godfather (1972), Goodfellas (1990), The Departed (2006), Scarface (1983), Pulp Fiction (1994), City of God (2002), The Irishman (2019), Once Upon a Time in America (1984), Reservoir Dogs (1992), and The Untouchables (1987).

• What are some of the common tropes or clichés of gangster movies?

Some of the common tropes or clichés of gangster movies are:

• The rise and fall narrative: The story follows the protagonist's ascent from poverty or obscurity to wealth or power, and his eventual downfall due to his flaws or enemies.

• The mentor figure: The protagonist has a mentor who teaches him the ropes of the criminal world, but who may also betray him or die.

• The femme fatale: The protagonist has a love interest who is attractive but dangerous, who may seduce him, betray him, or lead him to his doom.

• The code of honor: The protagonist and his associates follow a code of honor that dictates their loyalty, respect, and rules of conduct, but which may also be broken or challenged.

• The betrayal: The protagonist is betrayed by someone he trusts, such as a friend, a partner, a family member, or a boss.

• The final showdown: The protagonist faces his enemies or rivals in a climactic confrontation that usually involves a shootout, a chase, or a standoff.

• What are some of the benefits or drawbacks of watching gangster movies?

Some of the benefits of watching gangster movies are:

• They can provide entertainment, thrill, and escapism.

• They can stimulate the imagination and creativity.

• They can educate and inform about history, culture, and society.

• They can inspire and motivate to pursue goals or overcome challenges.

• They can provoke critical thinking and ethical reflection.

Some of the drawbacks of watching gangster movies are:

• They can desensitize or glamorize violence, crime, and corruption.

• They can reinforce or perpetuate stereotypes, prejudices, and biases.

• They can influence or encourage negative or harmful behaviors or attitudes.

• They can cause anxiety, fear, or distress.

• They can distract or addict from other activities or responsibilities.

• How can I write my own gangster movie script or review?

If you want to write your own gangster movie script or review, here are some tips and techniques you can use:

• Research and study the genre, its history, its conventions, its examples, and its criticism.

• Choose a topic, a theme, a message, and a tone for your script or review.

• Create an outline, a structure, a plot, and a character arc for your script or review.

• Write in a clear, concise, and engaging style, using appropriate vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.

• Use dialogue, action, description, and details to make your script or review vivid, realistic, and compelling.

• Use feedback, editing, and revision to improve your script or review.

• Share your script or review with others and enjoy the results.

I hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about gangster movies. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for reading and have a great day! 44f88ac181