MovieChat Forums > Bonnie and Clyde (1967) Discussion > We need a more accurate version

We need a more accurate version

posted 15 years ago by LCShackley
8 replies | jump to latest

The true story of B&C is more interesting than this sliced-and-diced version (although it's a great movie in and of itself).

The story of Clyde's family and his time in jail is worth a movie on its own.

In reality, they were very low-life, two-bit crooks who lived from day to day by robbing gas stations and grocery stores, not big bank-robbers like Dillinger (who thought B&C were amateurs, as did Pretty Boy Floyd, who told his family not to help them). They had plenty of botched robberies and loads of bad luck (just hinted at in the Penn film).

There are a few accurate scenes in the film, but there is SO much other material that would make a good movie.

[–] dshortt-1 15 years ago

Sounds like you've been reading "Public Enemies," LCShackley.

But it doesn't follow that we should have a more "accurate" version of Bonnie & Clyde. This version is quite good. Sure it's an embellishment of actual fact and glorifies their lifestyle, but hey - that's entertainment.

If you want historical accuracy, see the documentary.

[–] suzanneoxford 15 years ago

Hey I agree with your statement about "accurate" version of Bonnie and Clyde. I have read the real story behind Bonnie and Clyde's lives and even heard a first-hand account from my grandmother who lived during that time span. She was born in 1909 so was probably about the same age as Bonnie and Clyde. Yes I am sure they were poor and low-life, but the real story would probably not be as exciting to watch either. Thus Hollywood must fabricate and embellish on the facts to create something worthy of attracting the media and public.

I just wrote a book about my family and their life during the depression, so I have done research into this era of history. It saddens me to realize just how bad things were during that time and my mother's family were probably a little like Bonnie and Clyde's families, the only difference being that they did not rob stores or steal from banks to survive.

[–] LCShackley 15 years ago

Yes, you're right, and more specifically the very fine GO DOWN TOGETHER: THE TRUE, UNTOLD STORY OF BONNIE & CLYDE by Jeff Guinn, which includes information not available to previous writers.

What I'm saying is that there's a lot of good stuff in the REAL story that would probably make just as good a movie as the faux-historical Beatty version. But I wouldn't get rid of the old version, which is fun to watch.

[–] rattdpp 15 years ago

I just got done with that book Go Down Together - I think that is the most accurate we're going to get - very interesting book and yeah I thought it would make a good movie too.
This one is fun too though - I agree

[–] rgcustomer 15 years ago

Actually, no. If I want fiction, I'll see a story NOT called Bonnie and Clyde.

[–] rwsmith29456 15 years ago

There is a lot more to the story as I've read books that were based on eye-witness statements (Blanche gave a lot of info). I think a more realistic movie is in order. Everybody knows Bonnie didn't look a THING like Faye Dunaway. There is a lot of the story where Bonnie had a badly injured leg and hobbled around helped by Clyde up until the end.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] jefgg 9 years ago

If you want accuracy look for a documentary. But many of those are also inaccurate.