1. 1920
Brief Information: Dr. Mabuse: The
Gambler (26th May 1922). Certification is a
PG. Runtime is 242 minutes.
Plot Summary: Dr. Mabuse, who is the archcriminal (and the main character), and his
mob of criminals set out to make a fortune
and run the city of Berlin. Detective Wenk
tries to stop him in the process.
Disguise, madness and depravity would be
the words to best describe the plot of the
film.
Memorable Quote: “There is no such thing as love, only passion!
No luck, only the will to gain power!” – Dr. Mabuse
Scene Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBXB_wk7T5I

2. This scene (as well as the whole film) is shot in
black and white. This was the only option back in
the 1920’s. It makes the scene/film look aged
and shows a depiction of the conventional
Chicago gangster.
The gangsters are positioned around a poker table
watching two gamblers play the game. Here we get
to see the worried and apprehensive facial
expressions and body actions of these individuals.
In conjunction with this long-range
shot showing the mise-en-scene,
there is an increasingly rapid melody
in the background which builds up the
suspense.
Each person is
dressed classy
with the typical
gangster blacksuit and bowtie
appearance.
Dr. Mabuse: The Gambler (1922)

3. 1930
Brief Information: Scarface (9th April 1932).
Certification is an A. Runtime is 93 minutes.
Plot Summary: An ambitious and violent
gangster climbs the ranks within the mob,
but it later comes out that his weaknesses
prove to be his breakdown.
Murder, police and mob would be the words
to best describe the plot of the film.
Memorable Quote: “Listen, Little Boy, in this business there’s
only one law you gotta follow to keep out of trouble: Do it
first, do it yourself and keep on doing it” – Tony Camonte
Scene Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9OmTSM0i9s

4. This scene (as well as the whole film) is shot in
black and white. This was the only option back in
the 1930’s too. It makes the scene/film look aged
and shows a depiction of the conventional
Chicago gangster.
The gangster (wearing the typical black-suit
clothing) is holding a machine gun which portrays
how the life of a gangster has already developed
from the 1920s – as being a chaotic adventure.
This scene commences with two
people sitting serenely in a cafe which
soon gets disrupted as there are
gunshots and grenades being
thrown, using Todorov’s Equilibrium
theory.
The type of
camera shot
which is
frequently used in
the film was a
mid-shot.
Scarface (1932)

5. 1940
Brief Information: The Woman in the
Window (3rd November 1944). Certification
is a PG. Runtime is 107 minutes.
Plot Summary: A middle-aged conservative
professor gets involved with trouble, and he
is then plunged into a nightmarish spiral
consisting of blackmail and crime.
Murder, professor and blackmail would be
the words to best describe the plot of the
film.
Memorable Quote: “[Talking about sex] The flesh is still strong
but the spirit grows weaker by the hour” – Richard Wanley
Scene Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx_AiyI3zcw

6. This scene (as well as the whole film) is shot in
black and white. It makes the scene/film look
aged and shows a depiction of the conventional
Chicago gangster. Gangster movies hadn’t
changed much since the 1920s.
The selection of clothing still has not changed since
the 1920s, and this gives the symbolic stereotype
of a gangster that most people view as today.
This scene portrays a protagonist
against the antagonist whereby the
gangster comes into the room
unexpectedly – Binary Opposition
(Good vs. Bad) helps to hype up the
narrative.
Shows the
gangster from a
low down
angle, which also
portrays his
supremacy in this
situation.
The Woman in the Window (1944)

7. 1950
Brief Information: The Killing (6th June
1956). Certification is a PG. Runtime is 85
minutes.
Plot Summary: After spending time in
prison, Johnny Clay and friends mastermind
a plan and execute a daring racetrack
robbery. But, there are obstacles in their
way.
Airport, ex convict and robbery would be the
words to best describe the plot of the film.
Memorable Quote: “You like money. You’ve got a great big dollar
sign there where most women have a heart” – Johnny Clay
Scene Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5Rzh8XjzHI

8. This scene (as well as the whole film) is shot in
black and white. It makes the scene/film look
aged and shows a depiction of the conventional
Chicago gangster. Gangster movies hadn’t
changed much since the 1920s.
The gangsters here are still kitted out quite smartly
and they are situated in a social club. This is one of
the many places where mobsters hang out as their
life orbits around amusement and hideouts.
This scene is represented by an overthe-shoulder shot which alternates
between the two characters during
conversation. This is significant to see
each individual’s reaction.
This line suggests that
this gangster film will
live up to it’s
expectations with this
disturbance.
(Todorov’s
Equilibrium)
The Killing (1956)

9. 1960
Brief Information: Point Blank (30th August
1967). Certification is an X. Runtime is 92
minutes.
Plot Summary: After being forgotten and
left for dead, a mysterious man called
Walker tries to retrieve the huge sum of
money which was primarily stolen from him
in the first place.
Mafia, money and serial killers would be the
words to best describe the plot of the film.
Memorable Quote: “I want my money. I want my $93,000.” –
Clyde Barrow
Scene Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzpKedWubmc

10. This scene is set in an administrative centre
whereby the two mobsters are talking. The use
of the muted colours/lighting in the office may
connote a negative disposition or possibly
danger later in the film.
This character’s body expression may represent
that he is in control of the situation. An eminent
gangster film convention is how they present
themselves to others, with body language and
facial expressions being pivotal.
The characters’ choice of clothing in
this film are still neat and
tidy, showing that this is one of the
main genre aspects that have
remained throughout the eras.
Using the Barthes
– Enigma Code,
the narrative here
is delivered to the
audience with an
increase in
suspense and
closure.
Point Blank (1967)

11. 1970
Brief Information: The Godfather (24th
March 1972). Certification is an 18. Runtime
is 175 minutes.
Plot Summary: The aging patriarch (known
as “Don” Vito Corleone) of an organised mob
transfers the full control of his empire to his
son.
Drugs, drug dealers and crime would be the
words to best describe the plot of the film.
Memorable Quote: “It makes no difference, it don’t make any
difference to me what a man does for a living, you understand.
But your business is a little dangerous.” – Don Corleone
Scene Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eu3DWJjYP0

12. This scene (as well as a few others in the film)
uses montage editing. It cuts between the
passive, calm and religious ceremony to the
violent murders going on at the same time. This
is a multi-stranded narrative.
The editing montage separates the
holy and unholy traits of this
character. It shows that he is good and
evil which are two opposites (Binary
Opposition). This is to show that there
can be many sides to
a gangster and not
just the stereotypical
hard chap.
The background music is lurid and jumpy, and the priest’s voice adds
suspense and exhilaration to the scene as well. The setting of the church
also gives off a blue and cold feeling. The lighting inside of the church is
dim, which gives off a gothic feel to the church. The music and the voice
seems to get louder as each man is murdered as the scene goes on.
This film features
a lot of close up
shots in order to
see the reaction
and anxiety of the
character.
The Godfather (1972)

13. 1980
Brief Information: Rumble Fish (21st
October 1983). Certification is an 18.
Runtime is 94 minutes.
Plot Summary: Rusty James, a thug who
struggles to live up to the reputation of his
well-known, legendary brother, and longs for
the days when gang warfare was going on.
Motorcycles, thugs and alcoholics would be
the words to best describe the plot of the
film.
Memorable Quote: “Biff Wilcox is looking for you, Rusty James.
He’s gonna kill you, Rusty James.” – Midget
Scene Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fPIzvjiwqY

14. In this screenshot, the gangsters are dressed in a
more casual manner than they have been conveyed
in previous years. This may connote that gangsters
are now more carefree. Also, this shows that the
gangster genre has allowed experimentation since
the 1920s.
This scene portrays the stereotypical
social life of a gangster; as a mob of
them are at a snooker club. Also, they
are drinking alcohol and smoking
illegal drugs.
The entire film is filmed in black and white. One would think that
this film is an older film, for most modern films are filmed in
colour, but this film chose to film in black and white on purpose.
The black and white in this film helps to convey the primitive and
chaotic world that the characters live in.
This film features
a lot of high speed
shots by reversing
to other angles in
order to enhance
the fanatical
lifestyle.
Rumble Fish (1983)

15. 1990
Brief Information: Lock, Stock and Two
Smoking Barrels (28th August 1998).
Certification is an 18. Runtime is 107 minutes.
Plot Summary: A simple card game in
London triggers four friends plus thugs,
weed-growers, hard gangsters, loan sharks
and debt collectors to collide all for the sake
of marijuana, cash and two antique shotguns.
Antiques, debt and gang would be the words
to best describe the plot of the film.
Memorable Quote: “If you hold back anything, I’ll kill ya. If you
bend the truth...I’ll kill ya. In fact, you’re gonna have to work very
hard to stay alive, Nick.” – Rory Breaker
Scene Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKX32WqDNDU

16. In this scene, the camera performs an ultra slowmotion, low-angle shot with narration in the
background giving more information about each
character. His voice is tremendously distinguishable
and is a technique which has been adopted by Guy
Ritchie over the past
few years.
It shows them running down a flight of
stairs and throwing a suitcase (with
goods), in the air. The slowing down of the
editing is to show the panic and how little
time they have to think about their actions
which is ironic as
this scene is in slowmotion.
This scene (part of
the opening
sequence) shows the
theory of Todorov’s
Equilibrium, which
brings a thrill for the
audience early on
which stimulated
from a calm tenor.
The editors have de-saturated the picture by
darkening it ever so slightly. This is typical of the
gangster genre, and the significance of this is to
give the whole film an ominous and sinister
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
atmosphere.

17. 2000
Brief Information: Snatch (19th January
2001). Certification is an R. Runtime is 102
minutes.
Plot Summary: Deceitful boxing
promoters, violent bookmakers, a Russian
gangster, ineffectual amateur robbers, and a
gang of jewellers battle to track down a
priceless stolen diamond.
Diamond, fight and gang would be the
words to best describe the plot of the film.
Memorable Quote: “You should never underestimate the
predictability of stupidity.” – Bullet Tooth Tony
Scene Link: http://youtu.be/MpGTn-Z6WbA

18. In this scene, the camera performs a medium shot
to facilitate the characters and the mise-en-scene.
Here it shows four men holding a diamond (which is
very symbolic in the film) and this gives us an
indication to a robbery.
Once again, the characters are wearing suits, but
with the top button undone. Even though they
like to present themselves courteously, they also
like to send across the menacing look to others.
The soundtrack is very jazzy and upbeat
and it grips the audience for the ride
ahead. The editing is smooth and cuts from
one clip to another causing an
incessant and fluid transition. Editing
methods such as cross
dissolving helps make
the process much
smoother.
The editors
intentionally use dark
lighting/colours in this
scene to emphasise the
danger in which is
about to appear in the
upcoming situation
(robbery) .
Snatch (2001)

19. Evaluation
Ever since their arrival during The Great Depression of the 1930s, gangster movies provided an
escape into the complexities of the gangster, with a life of luxury, adventure and criminality
(Escapism as part of the Uses and Gratification Theory). These are constructed from the
sensational exploits of real-life gangsters such as Al Capone, John Dillinger and Henry Hill who, as
well as the directors, have made a vast influence on the genre over time.
Conceivably, the most noteworthy moment in history that would give gangster films their
traditional stereotype, is the prohibition era of the 1920s. Gangsters like Al Capone created real
life stories fit for the narratives of the movies. One of the more acknowledged cases is the St.
Valentines Day Massacre; where men employed by Capone, dressed as police officers and
violently murdered a rival gang with Thompson sub-machine guns. Thus, the gangster film was
born, and it was 1930’s Hollywood where classic films like Scarface and Shame of a Nation made
their introduction in the history of the genre.
Iconography is probably one of the key elements of defining the gangster genre, covering many
elements such as the vehicle. It is the means whereby the protagonist carries out his work and it
becomes like his clothes, the visible token of his success (connotation). One of the more
influential gangster genre convention is the gangster working his way up to a high priced luxury
vehicle. This can be seen not only in the gangster films of the 1920s and 1930s, but in almost
every film that can be classified a gangster film as these eras prompted this trend.
Similarly, my piece (Konvicted) will include a lot of these aspects which have been adapted and
sustained throughout the years. From the 1920s all the way to the 20th century, the genre has
conducted research and applied the key changes over time which has made the genre such the
success it is today.

20. Black and Red in the
Gangster Genre
I have also noted how Black and Red are present in almost every
gangster and crime film, whether it’s part of the marketing
campaign or the film itself. For example, the colour black
connotes the dimness and underworld of structured crime that
the Mafia epitomise. The ‘underworld’ is where the gangster
have to make their living. It is a world that the audience is most
often not familiar with, however, it is a world that exists all the
same. Furthermore, the colour red connotes the violence of the
Mafia culture, representing antagonism and blood.
These colours are used in costumes, sets, cars and even
lighting, and the viewers subliminally acknowledge and
understand this as being a vital facet of gangster-orientated films.
These include Reservoir Dogs (1992) and Mean Streets (1973)
which shows how there have been similarities as well as
differences throughout time. Other films which skilfully use the
colours black and red include: Carlito’s Way (1993), Donnie
Brasco (1997), Eastern Promises (2007), Little Caesar (1931) and
many more.