How violent is this??? Compared to precode films

I read a book detailing gangster film history that had an in-depth analysis essay on "White Heat." Apparently, it was the most violent film of its time. And yes, it has a lot of action: It opens with a train robbery (Which shows multiple murders and scalding steam), and the multiple shootout scenes shown can be intense. Its really nothing much compared to today's standards, but back then, critics made a massive fuss about it destroying America's youth. (Which is complete bullsh*t).

I watched this again recently, when it was screened on TCM.
It's one of my faves, and even though I bought the VHS when it was published, and the DVD, as well, I never fail to miss it when it airs on TV.

I would say that the violence level is exactly what was necessary to tell the story, and to reveal the nature of each character. Any additional mayhem would have ventured into the realm of "gratuitous violence," and served no purpose, whatsoever.

It's an iconic gangster film, and even though Cagney was tired of gangster roles (at that time), it is, undeniably, the role he was born to play.

--D.--

PS: I rated "White Heat" 10/10 on IMDb.

A lot of guys get shot to death on screen, an old lady gets shot to death off screen, there are several bludgeonings, a guy gets scalded to death by steam from a locomotive, and a guy takes a few bullets from a hunting rifle and is then vaporized/incinerated when a gigantic chemical tank he's standing on top of explodes. Other than that, violence is minimal.