‘Warner Bros. Iconic Moments – Bonnie and Clyde’ Review

Warner Brothers have been celebrating their back catalogue of movies with their “Iconic Moments” releases. Looking at the list of films that have been released, I decided to look at some of the classics. The first being the Blu-ray release of Bonnie and Clyde starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway.

Bonnie and Clyde

The iconic moment in the film itself happens as soon as Bonnie (Faye Dunaway) looks out of her window to see Clyde (Warren Beatty) trying to steal a car. From that moment on they are inseparable and lead a life of crime as part of the Barrow gang. Fast becoming anti-heroes to many, they gained hatred from the police, leading to the inevitable tragic end.

The Blu-ray comes with plenty of special features, including a documentary that looks at the real-life Bonnie and Clyde. While this does show the differences between the film and reality, it shows that not everything had been spiced up to make for a better film. In some respect, the film hides a lot of the more disappointing side of reality and some of the characters we see on-screen.

What makes Bonnie and Clyde truly shine is the chemistry between the actors, and that isn’t just Beatty and Dunaway (though it is strongest between them). Michael J. Pollard as C.W. Moss, Gene Hackman as Buck Barrow, and Estelle Parsons as his wife Blanche work well to not only be a believable gang, but also create tension between the characters.

Another actor to look out for is Gene Wilder, as this was his first film starring as Eugene Grizzard. Even back then you could see how easy he was able to work the comedy into a scene. With one of the best punchlines in the movie, he is another memorable character that steals the scene from the main cast.

Bonnie and Clyde isn’t just a film about bank robbery and shoot outs. It takes a look at depression era America and shines a light on the plight of people living at that time. Bonnie and Clyde weren’t just the only people who resorted to life to survive, but one thing that made them stand out was their Robin Hood style fame that built up around them. They cared about the community they were part of and were part of it, which is something that is focused on in the film.

It is easy to see why Warner Brothers chose Bonnie and Clyde as one of their iconic moments of cinema, because it was a film that broke the mould. Bringing with it levels of violence that was shocking for its time, it had a focus on reality. The continued struggle in the gang, and Bonnie’s constant obsession with her own mortality is relatable to the audience, and it humanises the characters. Which is the point of the movie really, to show the human side behind the legend built up around Bonnie and Clyde.

While Bonnie and Clyde may not be my top crime movie, it is near the top of it. Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway managed to create two iconic characters that are unforgettable for those who watch the movie. It is because of that fact that this movie is well deserving of being a Warner Bros. Iconic Moment.

Bonnie and Clyde is available on Blu-ray as part of the Warner Bros. Iconic Moments set, available in the UK now.

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