This movie trailer for Goodfellas summarizes the rise of the main character (MC) in a gang. It begins with the MC narrating his dream of becoming a gangster and shows him learning the rules of the gang through acts of vandalism and violence. Over time, the MC gains more power and wealth within the gang, as shown through his expensive suits and stolen goods. The trailer emphasizes themes of money, guns, and violence as it shows the criminal activities the gang engages in, like robberies and dumping bodies. It concludes by revealing the film is about three decades of the MC's life in the mafia.

1. Goodfellas

2. Distribution Company
Warner Bros
Freeze frame on the main character.
MC begins narration on his dream of
becoming a gangster.
Restaurant a common set up in a gangster
movie

3. Background music playing from
rags to riches
Close up on the hands showing gold
bracelets and rings which are signs of
wealth and power
Close up shot of MCs face showing
the expression of having his desired
lifestyle.
Narration by the MC is continued
‘Being a gangster….better than being
president’

4. MC learning the rules of the
gang
More focus on the gang
member as he seems to have
more power than the MC
Vandalism of cars by MC
MC narration continues adoring
gangsters ‘meant being somebody’
Explosion scene of the car park
Initiation into the gang

5. Acceptance into the gang
Coming up with the nickname for
MC
Themes
Money, Wealth,
Belief, associated with religion
Guns, Violence, blood
Montage of lifestyle of gangsters

6. Comparisons of
him younger
and older
Younger
• Suit look oversized
• Worn neatly
Older
• Fitted suit
• Smoking a cigarette
Transporting goods
An Airport in the background
MC Narration talking about the moving
Cargo
Stealing
Scene of a mugging, showing violence. MC in
front of the man showing he is in charge.

7. This scene shows a warning ‘ we know who you are’. The use of the red lighting
establishes the scene to be dangerous and foreshadows tension. Close Up shot of their
faces convey the expressions of confidence from the gangster.
Shot includes a stack of notes around his belt
showing his wealth, his closet being filled with
a range of suits. The colour scheme is
somewhat gold-ish and also contributes to the
theme of wealth and power

8. MC is shown as being charismatic
when talking to the woman who seems
naive in a sense.
Woman focuses attention on MC so
she is probably intrigued by him.
Looks like the restaurant that is at the
beginning of the trailer.
Lies about profession ‘construction’
MC is shown beating up someone, in the
back seat of the car. Out of the three
guys he is shown to be the violent one
which could mean he is the highest rank
out of them.
The scene has a low lighting which adds
to the shady theme going on.
Another restaurant scene, but shown
signs of class and emphasis wealth.
Butlers who are serving their food, the
shot contains the cutlery and how the
table is laid out.
Narration of the MC ‘if we wanted
something, we just took it’

9. Scene focuses on the men having a
conversation. Also shows how the
woman isn't important as the flower is
blocking her face, which supports that
the power comes from the gangsters.
Is shown using a paper bag as a sort of
silencer or concealer which could emphasis
the use of street thinking.
Firing shots, putting the attention on them
MC Narration saying ‘Better than City
Bank’ could imply it was easy to steal
from them

10. Wearing the colour red expresses
beauty, lust and provocative
behavior towards him.
Criticizes that he is not a ‘big
shot’.
Hands are shaking while holding the gun.
Unsure of herself while trying to kill him.
Surprised at her actions. Gun is blurred
out showing the attention is on his
expressions.
This emphasis how it is not a common
occurrence for the woman to be violent

11. Showing a Jewish wedding, the
stomping on the glass links to the
next scene of the man firing the
gun. The sound of the gunshot is
made to seem like the same sound
of the stomping. Showing the
transition from happiness to
violence.
Scene shows the MC robbing and
beating up a guy. Showing of the
crimes committed by the gang.

12. Scenes showing them dumping bodies
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Scenes showing the power that comes with being a gangster

13. The End of the trailer contains the
movies name which is uncommon
as you usually know the films title
from the start.
The second use of the title of the film
adds ‘three decades of life in the
mafia’ which refers to the young
taking over the older generation.
The next scenes shows the name
of the actors and a clip of them in
the movie
Contains credits of the film,
distribution company, production
company, director and cast