The gangster crime genre or mafia films became popular in 1930 when organized crime began with gangsters such as Al Capone, this was due to the great Depression in America. Although one of the hardest times in America the film industry was then able to produce films about so me of the criminal events of the time and so the mobster film became popular. One of the main reasons they were popular at the time is because audiences could relate with the mobster trying hard to make a living and earning his way to the top only to have it all taken away, much like the people who suffered through the depression. The genre seemed to lose its appeal around the 1940's though and the gangster film was lost. Only to revive around the 70's especially with the release of 'the Godfather' which is to this day seen as one of the greatest films of all time. With the popularity of this gangster films became more popular once again. With epic films such as 'Goodfellas', 'Scarface' and 'The Departed'
As time has gone on the ganster film has had to evolve with the time in The 1930's they revolved around America and the great depression. In the 70's 'the Godfather' looked at a fictional Italian American family in 1945 to 1955, this movie shows us more in depth to the family and the human side of the mafia. Al Pacino left an impression in the film 'Scarface' In 1983 the film is set in the 1980's and is centred around drugs which were becoming more popular at the time especially the use of cocaine. Now in 2006 a more modern feeling crime film like 'the Departed' feels more up to date even though it is still set in the 70's.
Britain has become known for it's more urban form of the gangster crime film bringing it to a modern day films such as 'Lock Stock and two Smoking Barrels' and 'Snatch' have earned they're right as some of the greatest gangster crime films.
A common theme in gangster films is one mans rise to power only for it to fall apart in the end, usually by being arrested or killed. This is because they can't promote that crime brings a good life it has to end with the law winning. There is also often a lot of double crossing and betraying which leads to a twist in the story and keeps the audience interested. Organized crime is another big theme, murders and robberies, drugs and alcohol are seen a lot in this genre.
Most Gangster crime films are usually based on books and true stories as well as stereotypes and ideas people already have of for example the mafia.
This genre of film usually contains a main man in power for example the Don of a mafia family, or a man who rises up to gain power.
As for iconography, things people usually associate with this type of films are:
- Money - Lots of it.
- Cars - Nice expensive cars
- Drugs - usually large amounts for dealing.
- Murder and organized crime - with betrayal, double crossing, bribery paying the police, everything is organized so they have power.
- A horses head - the real mafia way of saying you die next.
