Review of Bonnie and Clyde (1967) by Gavin S — 19 Feb 2012

I think if I'd seen this in 1967 when it first came out, it would have been more powerful, but that's not to say it's not a good movie. This was the movie where bullet wounds actually produced blood, and people scream in agony from gunshot wounds before dying.

Before this, bullets just made people fall over dead or shrug it off like John Wayne. That alone makes it important, but for it's portrayal of the fame seeking Barrow gang, it was one a modern leap forward.

At the time the violence was very controversial in such a mainstream picture, but now it seems to be not all that bad, and laughable compared to many films. However, be sure to thank Warren Beatty for getting this movie made, or you might not see the violence in today's cinema and be used to it.

Beatty and Dunaway are great as the two criminals who were basically looking for thrills and fame, but not exactly the smartest tacks. Beatty plays the simple Clyde as just that, simple, not thinking he's hurting anyone, and dashingly attractive to Dunaway's Bonnie, a small town Texas girl who is aching for anything resembling excitement, and a roll in the hay.

Toss in good support from Gene Hackman as Clyde's older brother and gang member Buck, and Denver Pyle (Uncle Jesse Duke!!!) as the Texas Ranger who tracks them down. A milestone of American cinema, be sure you remember to put it in context when you see it, and don't try comparing it to modern films of the same genre.