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Berkowitz, Leonard, Ronald Corwin, and Mark Heironimus. "Film Violence and
Subsequent Aggressive Tendencies." The Public Opinion Quarterly 27.2
(Summer 1963). 3 Apr. 2008
sici?sici=0033-362X%28196322%2927%3A2%3C217%3AFVASAT%3E2.0.CO%3B2-U>.
This article states that media violence negatively affects audiences because it attracts the innocent and incites crime. On the other hand, some researchers say violence can have beneficial effects by serving as a vicarious outlet for aggression. But, this (and supporting studies) indicates that screen violence does not function as a method of symbolic catharsis. Instead, movie violence can instigate aggressive behavior right after the scene, but most likely not long term. Furthermore, if movie violence is socially justified or the criminals are likable, people may be less inhibited to commit acts of violence.
Though this article does not directly discuss Bonnie and Clyde, one can conclude the film’s depiction of violence is worrisome and could increase the probability of aggression. Bonnie and Clyde are, to the majority of viewers, very likable and sympathetic characters, which this study says may increase one’s own propensity towards aggression. Instead of the extreme and graphic violence in this film serving as a vicarious outlet for aggression, it may actually spur more aggressive behavior. Following this corollary, the new standard of screen violence that Bonnie and Clyde created is dangerous and could lead to more violence.
Subsequent Aggressive Tendencies." The Public Opinion Quarterly 27.2
(Summer 1963). 3 Apr. 2008
sici?sici=0033-362X%28196322%2927%3A2%3C217%3AFVASAT%3E2.0.CO%3B2-U>.
This article states that media violence negatively affects audiences because it attracts the innocent and incites crime. On the other hand, some researchers say violence can have beneficial effects by serving as a vicarious outlet for aggression. But, this (and supporting studies) indicates that screen violence does not function as a method of symbolic catharsis. Instead, movie violence can instigate aggressive behavior right after the scene, but most likely not long term. Furthermore, if movie violence is socially justified or the criminals are likable, people may be less inhibited to commit acts of violence.
Though this article does not directly discuss Bonnie and Clyde, one can conclude the film’s depiction of violence is worrisome and could increase the probability of aggression. Bonnie and Clyde are, to the majority of viewers, very likable and sympathetic characters, which this study says may increase one’s own propensity towards aggression. Instead of the extreme and graphic violence in this film serving as a vicarious outlet for aggression, it may actually spur more aggressive behavior. Following this corollary, the new standard of screen violence that Bonnie and Clyde created is dangerous and could lead to more violence.
belongs to Bonnie and Clyde project
tagged aggression bonnie_and_clyde catharsis film_violence by kingsley ...on 09-APR-08
tagged aggression bonnie_and_clyde catharsis film_violence by kingsley ...on 09-APR-08
Call#: Van Pelt Library PN1997 .B6797 2000
Prince, Stephen. “The Hemorrhaging of American Cinema: Bonnie and Clyde’s Legacy of Cinematic Violence.” Arthur Penn’s Bonnie and Clyde. Friedman, Lester D., ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000.
According to Stephen Prince, Bonnie and Clyde was a landmark film because it presented graphic violence in an unprecedented way and changed the future of cinema. Prince even calls Bonnie and Clyde’s ultimate death “ferocious” (127). While at the time the film was very controversial, it set a precedent for violence that is consistently surpassed in contemporary films. Prince identifies two important factors that made this extremely violent film possible. First, he says that the social unrest of the period and the extremely bloody Vietnam War put violence on the cultural agenda, and influenced the graphic scenes in Penn’s film. Furthermore, even though the movie is set in the 1930s, Penn wanted to metaphorically relate to the 1960s by presenting the idea of resisting the Establishment. Secondly, Hollywood institutions were changing and directors were gaining more creative freedom, especially because of changes to the Production Code. Bonnie and Clyde used new and cutting edge cinema techniques to enhance the action. For example, Penn used multi-camera filming, slow motion, and intercutting slow-and-normal speed action to heighten the effects of screen violence. He also drew inspiration from unique sources, and Prince identifies Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa as an essential inspiration. The final (and goriest) scene in the movie draws heavily from techniques used in The Seven Samurai (1954), particularly the use of intercutting and multiple cameras to capture the action.
Penn broke tradition and overturned decades of “polite violence (139)”. Prince’s argument supports the idea that Bonnie and Clyde was a watershed film in Hollywood history, and ignited intense levels of screen violence. In fact, Bonnie and Clyde would no longer even seem violent to modern viewers because of the infinitely increasing threshold for on-screen aggression, which Prince says this film sparked. Bonnie and Clyde transformed cinematic violence to an exciting, entertaining spectacle.
According to Stephen Prince, Bonnie and Clyde was a landmark film because it presented graphic violence in an unprecedented way and changed the future of cinema. Prince even calls Bonnie and Clyde’s ultimate death “ferocious” (127). While at the time the film was very controversial, it set a precedent for violence that is consistently surpassed in contemporary films. Prince identifies two important factors that made this extremely violent film possible. First, he says that the social unrest of the period and the extremely bloody Vietnam War put violence on the cultural agenda, and influenced the graphic scenes in Penn’s film. Furthermore, even though the movie is set in the 1930s, Penn wanted to metaphorically relate to the 1960s by presenting the idea of resisting the Establishment. Secondly, Hollywood institutions were changing and directors were gaining more creative freedom, especially because of changes to the Production Code. Bonnie and Clyde used new and cutting edge cinema techniques to enhance the action. For example, Penn used multi-camera filming, slow motion, and intercutting slow-and-normal speed action to heighten the effects of screen violence. He also drew inspiration from unique sources, and Prince identifies Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa as an essential inspiration. The final (and goriest) scene in the movie draws heavily from techniques used in The Seven Samurai (1954), particularly the use of intercutting and multiple cameras to capture the action.
Penn broke tradition and overturned decades of “polite violence (139)”. Prince’s argument supports the idea that Bonnie and Clyde was a watershed film in Hollywood history, and ignited intense levels of screen violence. In fact, Bonnie and Clyde would no longer even seem violent to modern viewers because of the infinitely increasing threshold for on-screen aggression, which Prince says this film sparked. Bonnie and Clyde transformed cinematic violence to an exciting, entertaining spectacle.
belongs to Bonnie and Clyde project
tagged 1960s aggression arthur_penn film_editing graphic_violence hollywood_institutions production_code social_unrest vietnam_war by kingsley ...and 1 other person ...on 05-APR-08
tagged 1960s aggression arthur_penn film_editing graphic_violence hollywood_institutions production_code social_unrest vietnam_war by kingsley ...and 1 other person ...on 05-APR-08