'Bonnie and Clyde' — 6 Surprising Facts About the Famed 1967 Crime Film, Starring Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty
The iconic 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde, which celebrated its 56th anniversary on August 13, told the story of the famed criminal duo. The film, directed by Arthur Penn, is led by Warren Beatty as Clyde Barrow, a criminal who intrigues a small-town waitress named Bonnie Parker (Faye Dunaway). When Clyde attempts to steal the car that belongs to Bonnie’s mother, one thing leads to another and the duo become partners in crime, eventually robbing banks and killing people.
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What starts out as small-scale exploits full of thrill and excitement soon escalates to more violent endeavors, accompanied by a gang of fellow criminals (the Barrow Gang), ultimately complicating the arrangement they first had and eventually leading to their demise in the famous, final, gruesome scene in which their car is riddled with bullets.
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In addition to Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, the American film featured other famous faces including Gene Hackman, Michael J. Pollard, Denver Pyle and Gene Wilder. Here, take a look at these fun facts you may not have known about Bonnie and Clyde (1967).
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1. Faye Dunaway was not the first choice for the role of Bonnie.
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There were several well-known actresses who were either offered the role of Bonnie or considered for the role prior to it going to Dunaway. Natalie Wood and Jane Fonda were two of the actresses who turned it down, as well as Tuesday Weld. Before Beatty had taken on the role of Clyde, his sister, Shirley MacLaine, was also being considered.
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2. The writers of the film had never written a screenplay before.
David Newman and Robert Benton were working for Esquire when they put together the treatment for Bonnie and Clyde despite having no screenwriting experience.
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3. An award-winning classic
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The film took home two Academy Awards: one for Best Supporting Actress for Estelle Parsons and one for Best Cinematography for Burnett Guffey.
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4. The film had a major impact on movies that came after.
Bonnie and Clyde’s depiction of violence and gore, specifically their death scene, as well as the depiction of sexuality, changed the future of Hollywood cinema.
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5. The real Bonnie and Clyde car is on display.
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While that final scene of the film was based on reality, it was of course brought to life with props and movie magic. However, the real, bullet-stricken car that the actual Bonnie and Clyde met their end in can be seen at Whiskey Pete’s Primm Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
6. Bonnie and Clyde has a special place in history.
For its cultural significance, the film was added to the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry.
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