Bonnie And Clyde: Special Edition

It’s mad to think that Bonnie And Clyde has been around for forty years, though on a more recent viewing, it’s easy to see the relevance to both today’s film industry and society.

The precursor to a whole sub-genre of breaking-the-law romances, including the likes of Terrance Mallick’s all-time classic Badlands, Oliver Stone’s True Romance, and, erm, Tony Scott’s True Romance, the true story behind Bonnie And Clyde remains groundbreaking. The charming killer, media mythologizing and rebellious stance are all present and correct, and it’s testament to the film’s quality that these themes are still drawn heavily on today. Skilful in its accomplished juxtaposition of brutal criminal acts and tender, loving romance, this was director Arthur Penn’s blueprint for the modern trend of seemingly amoral tales about the inherent fun of doing the wrong thing in an endearing and charming manner, no matter what the consequences.

Faye Dunaway plays the seemingly butter-wouldn’t-melt Bonnie Parker, who, in the film’s opening moments, is seduced by Warren Beatty’s smooth-talking armed robber, Clyde Barrow. The chemistry between the two leads sparks throughout the film, though what makes them endearing - and in fact enables the viewer to sympathise for, ultimately, two criminals - is the fact this chemistry isn’t about the clichéd association of crime and sex. There’s more to Bonnie and Clyde’s relationship than that (the pair are largely platonic, with hints of Clyde’s sexual impotence), and from their very first meeting, it’s as if love at first sight has taken place. This is the key to the film: ultimately a traditional love story, with Gene Hackman as Clyde’s brother Buck, Estelle Parsons as his wife Blanche and the brilliantly understated Michael Pollard as stooge C.W Moss merely diversions from the blossoming, yet ultimately tragic, love affair taking place.

Controversial on release due to its seemingly amoral stance on crime and punishment (robbing banks and murdering people is almost seen as just a bit of fun), without Arthur Penn’s film we wouldn’t have Pulp Fiction’s gangster seductions or any of the modern spate of crime films with sympathic anti-heroes taking the lead. Transcending cinematic conventions about the ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys’, forty years on Bonnie and Clyde loses none of its truly rebellious spirit, and, though set in1930s America, taps into the escapism still prevalent in today’s film industry. A classic, both in style and substance, the trailblazing edge Bonnie and Clyde embodied has obviously left a lasting legacy.

Extras: Revolution! The Making of Bonnie and Clyde, a History Channel documentary about the real life Bonnie and Clyde, Warren Beatty Wardrobe Tests and deleted scenes.

Released on 5th May 2008 by Warner Home Video.

Written by Nick Aldwinckle.