Not Your Average Historical Drama
Thursday, November 5, 2026, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Instructor: Amy Corbin, Ph.D., Muhlenberg College
Bonnie and Clyde (1967) defied low expectations to become a landmark of “New Hollywood.” The characters are romanticized revolutionaries: their longing to break out of their simple lives evolves into an anti-establishment critique; Bonnie’s sexual assertiveness combines with Clyde’s disinterest in sex to upend traditional gender roles. The film also examines modern mythmaking, depicting media sensationalism and the formation of a public image.
In addition to the film’s cultural significance, this seminar will also trace the cinematic path from the French New Wave to “New Hollywood.” French filmmakers of the ’60s experimented with dramatic tonal shifts that could unsettle audiences and defamiliarize the familiar. With such inspiration, Bonnie and Clyde pairs upbeat banjo music with startling violence; it embeds glamorous close-ups and fashionable bodies into a dusty setting—creative choices suggesting multiple realities.
A final, fascinating angle is the way that Bonnie and Clyde confounded establishment film critics, best exemplified by the famous Time magazine cover story that retracted its initial negative review in an extensive essay on the film’s significance. Watching Bonnie and Clyde together in 2026 will give us a chance to explore its many layers of meaning for audiences old and new.
Are you interested in “just” seeing this movie? Visit the public screening page here.
Cinema Classics Seminars offer an entertaining and engaging way to learn more about some of the true classics of world cinema. All students receive an introductory lecture before the film and a guided discussion after the film. In addition, those in attendance receive a ticket to see it on the big screen, as well as popcorn and a drink. Please note: the screening associated with this seminar will be open to the public, as well.
Please contact BMFI Programs and Education Manager Jill Malcolm with any questions.
$30 for members, $40 for non-members
Schedule