Gangster Film

Conventions
By Alexander Wines
The Godfather - Opening Scene
The Godfather really is the standard to go by when it comes to the Mob/Film-Noir
genre and carries a lot of conventions we see in gangster films today. It starts with
non-diegetic music playing in the background, Italian, reminiscent of the known
Prohibition era of gangsters led by the notorious Al Capone who is of Italian origin. We
then see the title of the film centred on a black back-ground and as we will see in
some of the other films this seems to be often used an another convention. First shot,
we see a man pleading for help from the Corleone family, another convention,
typically most gangster organisations will be started by a family then branch out and
this is common in gangster films as well. Our main character seen below wears a suit
and is very well kept. Typically in gangster films especially mob and film-noir gangsters
will be seen wearing suits or very formal attire. In the real-world gangs did this to
show professionalism to show they were to be respected.
Black background with centred title, non-diegetic music in
background.
Man pleading for help from the Corleone family, well-dressed,
formal attire. Noted we also take the side of the family in this
over the shoulder shot
Main character, head of family, again, in well-dressed formal
attire to be respected by all, representative of him and his
families professionalism.
Goodfellas Opening Scene
Goodfellas opening scene we start with no non-diegetic music only diegetic music from the sound of
the cars on the motorway. We open our first shot focused on the boot of the car, later we will see
why this is so significant but until then we see a close-up shot of the driver of the car, this close-up
gives us the hint that this is our main character. Goodfellas, much like The Godfather, uses the
convention of mobsters or gangster wearing formal attire; we see our main character and his two
accomplices wearing shirts and jackets with slicked back hair again reiterating the professionalism of
a gang. The next shot the three characters have stopped the car and get out to check out a noise
coming from the boot. As we see them standing in anticipation we see another convention, the
power trio. Our main character opens the boot to see a man wrapped in cloth bleeding out and
asking for help, it is made aware to us that the characters were aware of this and probably the ones
who put him there as one readies a knife the other a shovel and then pulls out a pistol to silence
their victim once and for all. Our main character then shuts the boot and as he does he starts a
voice over. It then freezes on a close up of his face, non-diegetic music comes in and the titles roll.
Again as seen in The Godfather a centred title on a black background.
Close-up of main character, in formal attire as are his two
accomplices. He is behind the wheel maybe a metaphor for him
being in charge or driving the operation they are carrying out.
Power trio getting ready to open the boot, one readying knife
the other a shovel and our main character to the side to open
the boot.
Centred title on black background. Much like in the godfather
with non-diegetic music going over the top.
Reservoir Dogs Opening Scene
The beginning of Tarantinos Reservoir Dogs is a lot calmer than the previously mentioned scenes. There is no
discussion of killing a man or actually killing a man instead we see the Gang sitting around a table drinking
coffee and having breakfast in a caf. However it does still incorporate some of our conventions. Whilst having
a discussion about the term like a virgin we start with a close-up on what could be seen as a main character
Mr. Blonde listening to the vocals of the guy telling the story. As the camera pans around we see other
characters and they all, with exception of a few, are wearing black suits with a white shirt and black tie. Again
our convention of formally dressed gangsters demonstrating professionalism. We also see a few of them
smoking, although not mentioned in the previous slide, but like the car in Goodfellas the smoking is a very
good indicator of when the film is supposed to be set and where we can tell that it would be in the 1900s and
in America. We can also tell it is in America from the distinguishable style of the caf they are eating and
drinking in.
Distinguishable American style caf, smoking in public place representative
of the time its set in 1900s.
First character close-up listening to monologue of the term like a virgin,
wearing black suit and tie also smoking.
Again smoking, slicked back hair, black suit and tie, smart attire, professional
gangsters.
Pulp Fiction Opening Scene
In Pulp Fiction we actually dont see the gangsters in the opening scene though we do see
themes that are in a lot of gangster films and a few interesting things to note. We start in an
American caf, two characters a man and women sitting in a booth eating and drinking coffee.
Again we see smoking a common convention but we also see this two-shot establishing a clear
relationship between these two characters than continues with other relationships throughout
the film. As they discuss the crimes they have committed they decide to rob the restaurant they
are in. The man slams a gun on the table, the convention of violence and particularly the use of
guns is very common in gangster films. Before they the carry out their plan though they kiss,
although overlooked this follows a convention of gangster films that is motive, in a lot of gangster
films the gangsters do what they do with a certain motive often money, pride or in this case love.
Also to note, like in Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction doesnt use non-diegetic music only diegetic
music of the caf and people.
Two-shot of our main characters, eating and drinking in cafe
one smoking the other listening to him.
Gun use theme of crime and violence. Deciding to rob the
restaurant they are in.
Motive of crimes done and crimes to commit, in this case
love. Common motives in gangster films consist of money,
pride or love.
The Departed Opening Scene
We start with subtitles giving us a sense of time and setting, voice over of one character over
clips of violence in America. Some non-diegetic music is playing in the background as we see a
pan of city of Columbus that, again, gives us the conventional setting of America. The next clip is
of our character who is doing the voice over, walking through a garage, silhouetted by the light.
We see a shot of the urban city, very common in more modern gangster and crime films. We see
our character take money from a local business, we see this convention of power from our
criminals over the civilians. We then see a clip of a ceremony taking place in a church, not seen so
clearly in the previous opening sequences but religion tends to be a common convention of
gangster and crime films. We also see a shot of an execution happening on the beach by our
criminals, shooting the victims in the head at gunpoint, the conventions of gun-use and violence
again seen here. Our final shot is our main character stepping out the silhouetted darkness to
reveal his identity.
Scenes of violence, a convention in gangster films, with a voice
over of our criminal making a monologue. No non-diegetic
music to emphasise meaning behind words.
Criminal being money in broad day-light by owners of a local
business placed on urban street in America. Shows power of
criminals over civilians.
Conventional theme of religion expressed in this shot of an
alter-boy carrying out a ceremony in a church.