How Historically Accurate Is The 1967 Film Bonnie And Clyde

In 1930, Clyde Barrow met Bonnie Parker after a 20-month keep in jail. For practically two years, the pair (accompanied by Barrow’s brother and his spouse at totally different instances) spearheaded a vivacious crime spree that finally culminated of their demise. The film definitely obtained this half proper, however opposite to the cinematic narrative, the Barrow Gang hardly ever robbed banks. They settled for extra poachable prey like eating places, grocery shops, and fuel stations. Once they did tackle a financial institution, it was typically based mostly out of a small city and their bounty by no means exceeded $1,500 (per Britannica).

The truth that they didn’t drain banks of their perceived predilection for manipulation and corruption confounds the film’s underlying theme that significantly contributed to its reputation. Whereas their lasting notoriety is certainly warranted (a number of cops died in shootouts making an attempt to apprehend them), their techniques have been typically understood to be sloppy and disorganized. That’s in all probability why they wound up on the improper finish of bullets hailing from a police blockage in Michigan whereas driving a stolen automotive (per Britannica).