Bonnie and Clyde
In December 1967 Time magazine announced a ‘renaissance’ in American film culture exemplified by Bonnie and Clyde. Critically assess the film, its impact and legacy.
American film industry has been having crisis since the end of World War II. However, the most severe crisis started in the post-war years and culminated in the period of the late 60s and early 70s when the Big Hollywood Studios came to the brink of bankruptcy. In 1967, when Bonnie and Clyde was produced and released, it brought the American film industry into a new era which resulted in a Hollywood renaissance that reached its peak in the mid-seventies. As a consequence, directors were suddenly became the centre of the American filmmaking industry, and several studios, such as Warner Brothers and Columbia, ‘responded by creating low-budget production units dedicated to producing the work of exciting new talents like Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese and Peter Bogdanovich.’ (Miller, 2005) The term ‘New Hollywood’ was introduced after the success of Bonnie and Clyde. In the meantime, Bonnie and Clyde is considered as one of the first of the ‘New Hollywood’ era. New Hollywood (or also known as Hollywood Renaissance) films like Bonnie and Clyde (1967), The Graduate (1967), and Easy Rider (1969) marked symbolised a return to a truly American Cinema. Moreover, the films’ artistic sensibilities brought them closer to their European counterparts. In effect, the period of the late 60s and early 70s signalled a rebirth of the American Film and paved the way for what is now called New Hollywood.
Bonnie and Clyde is an American crime film directed by Arthur Penn and was released in 1967. The film stars Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway as the title Characters Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker. The film received attacks by the critics from around the globe when it first released on cinema in August. By November Bonnie and Clyde has become the most popular film of the year. According to Cook, the film has become
American film industry has been having crisis since the end of World War II. However, the most severe crisis started in the post-war years and culminated in the period of the late 60s and early 70s when the Big Hollywood Studios came to the brink of bankruptcy. In 1967, when Bonnie and Clyde was produced and released, it brought the American film industry into a new era which resulted in a Hollywood renaissance that reached its peak in the mid-seventies. As a consequence, directors were suddenly became the centre of the American filmmaking industry, and several studios, such as Warner Brothers and Columbia, ‘responded by creating low-budget production units dedicated to producing the work of exciting new talents like Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese and Peter Bogdanovich.’ (Miller, 2005) The term ‘New Hollywood’ was introduced after the success of Bonnie and Clyde. In the meantime, Bonnie and Clyde is considered as one of the first of the ‘New Hollywood’ era. New Hollywood (or also known as Hollywood Renaissance) films like Bonnie and Clyde (1967), The Graduate (1967), and Easy Rider (1969) marked symbolised a return to a truly American Cinema. Moreover, the films’ artistic sensibilities brought them closer to their European counterparts. In effect, the period of the late 60s and early 70s signalled a rebirth of the American Film and paved the way for what is now called New Hollywood.
Bonnie and Clyde is an American crime film directed by Arthur Penn and was released in 1967. The film stars Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway as the title Characters Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker. The film received attacks by the critics from around the globe when it first released on cinema in August. By November Bonnie and Clyde has become the most popular film of the year. According to Cook, the film has become
References: Cook, D.A., 1981. A history of narrative film. Norton, New York. Dirks, T., 2003. Bonnie and Clyde (1967). URL http://www.filmsite.org/bonn.html (accessed 12.4.12). Emma, 2005. Bonnie and Clyde Paper | Emma’s History Portfolio. URL http://299history.umwblogs.org/history-portfolio/history-299/bonnie-and-clyde-paper/ (accessed 12.5.12). Harris, M., 2008. Pictures at a revolution : five movies and the birth of the new Hollywood. Penguin Press, New York. Koban, C.J., 2004. BONNIE AND CLYDE. URL http://www.craigerscinemacorner.com/Reviews/bonnie_and_clyde.htm (accessed 12.6.12). Miller, F., 2005. The Essentials - Bonnie and Clyde Turner Classic Movies. URL http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/24133|24134/The-Essentials-Bonnie-and-Clyde.html (accessed 12.5.12).