Genre Research

On Gangster Movies
 Background of the genre
• This film genre started on the silent screen with records dating back to 1904
(The Moonshiners)
• This film genre (with sound) originated in the 1930’s (Bad Company)
• The genre was heavily criticised for glamorising violence and crime
(Scarface)
• In the 1940’s more sinister films originating from this genre were made, this
type was called film-noir
• In the 1960’s British gangster films (Get Carter) started it emerge
• In the 1980’s a renaissance (The Godfather) and new urban takes (Boys ‘n’
The Hood) on the genre were developed
• In the 1990’s post-modern directors tackled the genre to give their takes on
it, also the genre spilled into TV programmes (The sopranos) and comedy
(Analyse This).
 The basic Narrative of this genre
• The narrative of this genre normally
highlights the life of a crime figure or a
crime's victim (s). Or they glorify the rise
and fall of a particular criminal (s), gang,
bank robber, murderer or lawbreakers in
personal power struggles or conflict with
law and order figures, an underling or
competitive colleague, or a rival gang
 Directors and actors associated
with the genre
Directors Actors/ Actresses
• Quinton Tarantino • Michael Caine
• Michael Klinger • Helen Mirren
• Matthew Vaughn • Ray Winston
• Ross Kemp
• Colin Farrel
• Jude Law
• Jason Stathem
Analysis of opening sequences,
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzMpH9jjo4w
It starts with the mobsters walking down the street with up beat music, this is a
counter hegemonic to the genre as normally it is a black background, white
text and dramatic music. This therefore creates a new opening and makes
the viewer want to see more.
at this point it also introduces the characters one at a time with names bottom
centre in orange/red/yellow, this is another challenging the genre
conventions as the text is a different colour.
Once it has finished the introductions the music stops and we man screaming
in pain this therefore creates an effect on the viewer that makes them want
to know what's happening and who is screaming and therefore keeping
them hooked. We then see the man covered in blood and it becomes clear
that it was the men walking down the street who are the inflictors.
We can denote the men in suits and there fore connote that they are gangsters
as this is a typical genre convention.
Analysis of opening sequences,
The Crays (1990)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgdRKl-es5k&feature=related
This film is based on a true story like many other gangster films.
It begins with white text on black background is used as it is sticking to
the common gangster convention, with dramatic music playing to
build tension
It then changes to a woman narrating broken by a screaming woman
given birth and blood running down the sheet, for this particular
movie it can be connoted as the pain inflicted by the twins.
After the woman has finished her business another woman breaks the
news that it is twins therefore introducing the main characters of the
film and also even though the beasts that developed, they started
off the same as us, as children.
Analysis of opening sequences,
Long Good Friday (1980)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMyaRq94KDk
This film starts with the credits appearing in whit text on a black background, this is a
convention of gangster movies and of which many use as the genre found it
successful from the past.
The moving footage starts with a man getting off a boat with a case and jumping in to
a car quickly, this connotes that he is trying not be seen and there fore creating an
opening that will hook the audience and want them to see more, after this he
opens the case and removes a wad of money and it soon becomes clear why he
was moving quickly and this gives the audience the idea that he is a wanted man
for good or bad reasons.
Non-diegetic sound is played all the way through the opening scene. This is Music
that sounds dramatic. This helps accentuates the tension as it makes the audience
feel that something may occur that may cause damage to the character.
The costume the character is wearing also implies at his outlaw occupation, as he is
smartly dressed and has a nice car (another common convention with gangster
movies) this implies that he is rich and therefore powerful within the underworld.
Analysis of opening sequences,
Get Carter (1971)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoa3OTJfWIY
It starts with the popular convention of a black background with white text, then
the noise of a moving train. This suggest that it could be a gangster movie
as trains are often used as getaway transport or targets to attack.
By including men in suits and an attractive woman it follows the genre
conventions as we can tell they are gangsters through the stereo type of
multiple men in suits with one woman (a wife maybe?) as members of
gangs/mobs.
Upper class, by having the main character in a high class way of travel it shows
he has money which is a common convention within gangster films.
Music is used to build tension to hook the viewer at the start and want them to
watch more.
Analysis of opening sequences,
Lock stock and Two Smoking
barrels (2000)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o1UXSxTjfo
White text on black background is used again, repeating the common
convention.
Using cockney accent, flogging stolen goods we can see that the
character is on the other side of the law and it is based in London,
England.
Music is used to create the feeling that the film will be fast paced and
exciting.
A voice over occurs and we can hear a man describing what the other is
good at, this includes crime so we can see that the man is a gang
member.
Slow motion shots at the end creates tension as it makes you perceive
that the characters are slow and therefore get caught for their actions.