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Period: to
Crime Genre Timeline
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1920's (Start of the Crime Films)
Crime films originate from the Hollywood Gangster films that originated in the early 1920's in America. It reflected the prohibition law, which lead to criminal gangs thriving on the sale of illegal alcohol. The era of gangsters such as Al Capone, where technology was developing, the crime genre was a huge success. As the genre has developed, Each era tends to reflect society's crime waves of fears at the time. -
1930's
The Public enemy (1931) and the Little Ceaser (1931) are both key films in the genre timeline, showing how speakeasies and crime was key to that era. The mise-en-scene and the settings to the films were often basic with dark lighting- showing small budget and less developed technology. -
1940's/1950's
Studios copied the 1930's dark lighting and minimal sets and updated the themes to reflect a more sinister side of life; reflecting wartime turmoil, including more confused roles for the genders-alienated heroes and femme fatales. -
1960's
The new sub genre to crime; British Crime Caper. Mixed comedy with the heist movie. Adding a more uplifting touch to British crime. The use of 'cheeky cockney' characters and likeable anti-heroes. Keeping romantic European settings and the original 'cliffhanger' ending. Really enhancing the british crime genre. E.g. The Italien Job (1969) one of the most successful british crime films to date. -
1970's
Gitty British Crime emerged from the harsh downturn from the late 60's and early 70's, reflecting the notoriety of gangland figures such as the 'well-groomed' Kray twins. E.g. Get Carter (1971) and The Long Good Friday (1981). -
1990's/2000's
British Postmodern Gangster: Borrowing ideas from past British Crime iconography, often reflecting the 'New Laddism' of the 1990's, Postmodern hybrids offer mixed representations and heavily stylised production. E.g. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998), Sexy Beast (2000), Snatch (2000), Layer Cake (2004), London to Brighton (2006). -
1990's/2000's
The era of the 1990's/2000's crime genre is the one that has influenced us the most. Using post modern elements to recreate an exciting genre, but using traditional iconography from decades such as 1970's which focused on gangsters. -
21st Century Present - Variety Of Films
The 21st Century delivered many brand new Crime films to the world. Here is a short list of some that have come out in the 21st century so far. The Departed, City Of God, No Country Fort Old Men, Filth, A Prophet, Mystic River, Traffic, Infernal Affairs, Rise of the Foot Soldier, Eastern Promises, Mesrine, Out of the Furnace, Kill the Messenger, Drive, Prisoners, Nightcrawler, The Raid, Zodiac.
