"Bonnie and Clyde" An innovative American new cinema that shocked the 1960s

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2019.03.27Kiyoto Seito

Numerous explosives planted on the bodies of two people

However, the most vivid scene is probably the last scene. In this famous scene, bullets from the police officers waiting behind a tree explode at the two people who thought they had somehow managed to escape. A total of 87 balls were hit. In preparation for filming, Beatty and Faye Dunaway, who plays Bonnie, had dozens of squibs, explosives connected by wire, placed under their costumes. When the gun fires, Beatty slowly collapses to the ground as the squib explodes inside him, leaving Dunaway crucified in his car seat, his body writhing under the pressure of the bullet. Her legs were pinned to the gearshift to prevent her body from falling out of the car. This is how the so-called "Ballet of Death" was filmed.

The effect of slow motion that Penn uses here is exceptional. The slow motion allows the two people to take different poses, making it look like they are literally dancing. He is said to have been inspired by Akira Kurosawa's `` Seven Samurai '' (54) and `` Tsubaki Sanjuro '' (62).

Shirley MacLaine aspired to play Bonnie

Beatty originally wanted Bob Dylan to play the role of Clyde because of their similar looks, but of course he was turned down and decided to play the role himself. At this point, Shirley MacLaine, who had aspired to play the role of Bonnie, is out of the picture. This was also natural. It would be a nightmare for the audience if a love scene between siblings was performed.

Leslie Caron and Natalie Wood were also nominated. Both are Beatty's then and former lovers. This is a very playboy-like selection. Wood reportedly dismissed the idea of playing a gangster, but what would have happened if she had accepted Beatty's offer? Perhaps she was entering her second golden age as an actress.

Beatty and Dunaway conquer the movie world together

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