1. Genre Study
Gangster Films

2. Genre overview
“Crime and Gangster Films are developed around the sinister actions of criminals or gangsters, particularly bank robbers, underworld figures, or ruthless hoodlums who operate outside the law, stealing and violently murdering their way through life. Crime stories in this genre often highlight the life of a crime figure or a crime's victim. Or they glorify the rise and fall of a particular criminal, gang, bank robber, murderer or lawbreaker in personal power struggles with law and order figures, an underling or competitive colleague, or a rival gang.” Source: AMC Filmsite, Tim Dirks

3. Genre overview
“Gangster/crime films are usually set in large, crowded cities, to provide a view of the secret world of the criminal: dark nightclubs or streets with lurid neon signs, fast cars, piles of cash, sleazy bars, contraband, seedy living quarters or rooming houses. Film gangsters are usually materialistic, street-smart, immoral, megalomaniacal, and self-destructive. Rivalry with other criminals in gangster warfare is often a significant plot characteristic. They rise to power with a tough cruel facade while showing an ambitious desire for success and recognition, but underneath they can express sensitivity and gentleness.” Source: AMC Filmsite, Tim Dirks

4. Genre overview
“Gangster films are often morality tales: 'pursuit of the American Dream' success stories turned upside down in which criminals live in an inverted dream world of success and wealth. Often from poor immigrant families, gangster characters often fall prey to crime in the pursuit of wealth, status, and material possessions (clothes and cars), because all other ‘normal’ avenues to the top are unavailable to them. Although they are doomed to failure and inevitable death (usually violent), criminals are sometimes portrayed as the victims of circumstance, because the stories are told from their point of view.” Source: AMC Filmsite, Tim Dirks

5. Sample movie posters:

6. Ten Characteristics Cities in Background Dark Colors
Contrasting Text
Night / Rain
Obscured Faces
Film Titles
Dark Colors
Confrontational Poses
Ensemble or Solitary Staging
Clothing Choice
Guns

7. 1. Dark Colors
Dark colors in Gangster Films (whether in the background or in clothing) are associated with the unknown, evil, fear, crime, and death. All of which are essential elements of the Gangster genre.

8. 2. Confrontational Poses
Characters are large and looming, taking up most of the frame. Body language is intimidating and threatening: Crossed arms, eye contact, frowning, and contemptuous expressions all suggest danger.

9. 3. Ensemble or solitary
Ensemble poses show strength in numbers, unity, and force…
…while solitary poses show isolation and leadership.

10. 4. Clothing choices
Probably due to the timing of the Gangster Era in America, many modern gangster movie characters mimic the dress characteristics of the 1940s: suits and (usually fedora) hats. The expensive, neatly tailored outfits have come to represent a flaunting of wealth and a display of power.

11. 5. Guns!
Guns are the obvious staple of the Gangster Genre, and are featured prominently in movie posters. The guns are, once again, a symbol of strength: the power to administer death and destruction.

12. 6. Cities in the background
The cities in the background show the gangster’s realm. They are commonly shown as smaller than the protagonist, to show his relatively larger significance and power. They are his property – his domain.

13. 7. Contrasting text
Due to the overall darkness of the posters, all text important enough to be on the poster must be in boldly contrasting colors. White and red are the most common: white for contrast and red for blood, violence, and passion...

14. 8. Night and rain
In both literature and film, night is commonly associated with fear, death, and the unknown – the playground of the gangster. In addition, rain can be seen as a symbol for sadness or misery, emotions surrounding violent crime.

15. 9. Obscured faces
Gangsters are often portrayed as complex or misunderstood characters. Obscuring their faces in shadow helps create mystery, much like a mask or disguise, and contributes to a sinister appearance.

16. 10. Film Titles
Finally, the titles themselves help reinforce the elements of the genre. They are often slang references to gang life and violence. They are typically brief, powerful, and prominently displayed (second only in significance to the gangster himself).