Korede BalogunA2 Media

Gangster crime films are developed around the sinister actions and rituals of criminals or gangsters, predominantly bank robbers, underworld figures, or ruthless hoodlums who defy the law, stealing and violently murdering their way through life.

The aims of many films in this genre is purely not to glorify the gangster lifestyle but awaken the audience to it and mainly to empathize with the hardships that the antagonists, protagonists or crime victims face.

Gangster/crime films are usually set in busy cities, to provide a view of the secret world of the criminal

The gangsters are usually materialistic and street-smart. Wanting large sums of money and being ruthless in the attempt to get it

Although a gangster comes across a relentless and money hungry, their character tends to have family, alliances and loyalties, these people are to be protected, assisted or even shielded from the brutality of the gangster living.

Depending n the type of gangster crime your aiming for the clothing can range from tuxes and shoes to hoodies and trainers in a more urban type of film.

Gangster crime films were amongst those out in the silent era of television

One of the first to start off the gangster/crime genre was The Musketeers of Pig Alley (1912) by D. W. Griffith's in which the storyline was about organised crime. Note It wasn't the first gangster movie ever made, but it was the first significant gangster film that has survived

It was also shown in Leeds Film Festival in November 2008, as part of Back to the Electric Palace, this shows that this film nearly a century onwards still has influence in contemporary society of film making.

http://pigalleymusketeer.blogspot.com/

Since the creation of black and white silent films all films have had the opportunity to develop in graphics, colour imagery and storyline.

Out of the past released in 1947 tells the tale of an ordinary gas worker who’s mysterious past catches up with him

Out of the past (in colour) originally released in Britain as Build My Gallows High) in 1991was added to the United States National Film Registry as being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

The most successful Gangster Crime films tend to be produced or funded by US companies.

Because American scenery and lifestyle is where the originals of the genre began with the likes of The Big Sleep and The Godfather the typical conventions of what is expected in the genre was formed such as guns, (sometimes drug sprung) females.

These typical conventions appeal to a macro audience

With acceptions of the likes of Italian Mafia Films or “Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” directed, filmed and produced in Britain by British Director Guy Richie most Gangster Crime films are of success in the US

Godfather as from what I have researched from various votes, surveys and opinions is by far the most anticipated Gangster Film of all times.

Modestly earning its place in many catagories on The American Film Institute (AFI) such as best quotes, best film and featuring best actor (Marlon Brando) the original film was a massive hit worldwide.

Now able to purchase on a DVD trilogy set and also as a console game the films reputation still lives.

THE GODFATHER TRILOGYTHE GODFATHER TRILOGY

1972

1974

1992

With features of mise-en-scene of gadgets, vans, cars, exotic women and a mysterious underworld the Gangster crime genre would assumingly be stereotypically appeal to a macho male audience of any ethnicity between the ages of 16-50.

But however with twists of romance and attractive male characters the genre makes attempts to reach out to a teen to middle aged female audiences as well.

Robert De Niro Jnr (actor) – Goodfellas, The Godfather, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Casino, Once Upon a Time in America, The Untouchables (and turned down a role in Th Departed)

Leornado DiCaprio (Actor)– The Departed, Gangs Of New York

Quentin Tarantino (Director): Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, Jackie Brown

Guy Ritchie (Writer/Director):Lock Stock and two smoking barrels, Snatch, Rock’n’Rolla, Revolver

http://thepulplist.com.s48469.gridserver.com/2009/05/top-20-gangster-movies-of-the-last-40-years/