The codes and conventions of gangsters films

2. BASIC PLOT CONVENTIONS
• Often a self-made man who makes it to
the top but has it taken away from them
– this was common after The Great
Depression as the audience could relate
to these themes.
• Gangster is “living the American dream”
through the Social Darwinist theory of
‘survival of the fittest’.
• Has very traditional values (family,
church etc) however is very untraditional
in ethics (killing, smuggling, illegal
trade).

3. MISE-EN-SCENE
• Often set in urban cities with are highly populated as that’s were
there would be high incidents of crime – e.g. New York City,
Chicago etc
• Members of the crime family are mostly dressed formal (suits &
ties) with red accents - possible to connate the danger and
violence these people are capable of even though they are
dressed professionally.
• Weapons of violence such as guns, bats, and crowbars are
evident in these movies which they use on their victims.
• The glamorous lifestyle they live shown through their fast cars,
expensive cigars, gentlemen’s clubs and gambling.
Scarface The Godfather

4. CINEMATOGRAPHY
• Mostly scenes with low lighting to portray the
darkness and sketchy activity that goes on
behind closed doors or to create an
atmosphere.
• The colour is also a coding for which period its
set it – generally black and white for films based
20s-50s and colour for modern adaptations.
GoodFellas
GoodFellas