Bonnie and Clyde remains as influential today as it it was in 1967. This film has been charged with glamorizing criminals and elevating the acceptable threshold for screen violence. Additionally, French New Wave Cinema heavily influenced the film, particularly in its mixture of tones and choppy editing. Director Arthur Penn began a new tradition of auteur-driven projects and capitalized on the weakening Production Code, which permanently changed the Hollywood Studio System. While it was not the first film to depict violence, it was the first do so in the name of art film and in such an extreme manner. The reception of this film was controversial, with some critics praising its innovativeness, while others condemned the explicit violence. These sources lend insight into the controversy surrounding Bonnie and Clyde, the influence of French New Wave Cinema, and the impact of Arthur Penn on New Hollywood. Drawing inspiration from French New Wave cinema, Bonnie and Clyde broke Hollywood taboos by portraying murdering bank-robbers as a glamorous and sympathetic romantic couple.

Berkowitz, Leonard, Ronald Corwin, and Mark Heironimus. "Film Violence and
Subsequent Aggressive Tendencies." The Public Opinion Quarterly 27.2
(Summer 1963). 3 Apr. 2008
sici?sici=0033-362X%28196322%2927%3A2%3C217%3AFVASAT%3E2.0.CO%3B2-U>.


    This article states that media violence negatively affects audiences because it attracts the innocent and incites crime. On the other hand, some researchers say violence can have beneficial effects by serving as a vicarious outlet for aggression. But, this (and supporting studies) indicates that screen violence does not function as a method of symbolic catharsis. Instead, movie violence can instigate aggressive behavior right after the scene, but most likely not long term. Furthermore, if movie violence is socially justified or the criminals are likable, people may be less inhibited to commit acts of violence.
    Though this article does not directly discuss Bonnie and Clyde, one can conclude the film’s depiction of violence is worrisome and could increase the probability of aggression. Bonnie and Clyde are, to the majority of viewers, very likable and sympathetic characters, which this study says may increase one’s own propensity towards aggression. Instead of the extreme and graphic violence in this film serving as a vicarious outlet for aggression, it may actually spur more aggressive behavior. Following this corollary, the new standard of screen violence that Bonnie and Clyde created is dangerous and could lead to more violence.