Top 10 Crime Films That Caused a Stir

Description: This film about the infamous bank robbers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow was revolutionary for its time, with its graphic violence and portrayal of the duo as anti-heroes. It challenged the Hays Code and sparked discussions on the romanticization of criminals.

Fact: The film's depiction of violence was so shocking that it led to the creation of the MPAA film rating system.

Description: Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Anthony Burgess's novel about a young delinquent's violent escapades and subsequent "rehabilitation" through aversion therapy caused a moral panic. Its portrayal of violence and the debate over free will versus state control made it a lightning rod for controversy.

Fact: Kubrick himself withdrew the film from British cinemas due to copycat violence, and it was not shown again until after his death in

Description: Francis Ford Coppola's film about a surveillance expert who becomes paranoid after recording a conversation that might involve a murder plot, delves into themes of privacy, technology, and moral responsibility. Its release during the Watergate scandal made it eerily timely.

Fact: The film was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and its sound design, particularly the use of ambient noise, was groundbreaking.

Description: This political thriller about a journalist investigating a conspiracy behind political assassinations was released during a time of real-life political scandals, making its themes of government cover-ups and media manipulation particularly resonant.

Fact: The film's title refers to the Parallax Corporation, a fictional entity involved in brainwashing assassins, reflecting real-world concerns about mind control and political manipulation.

Description: Another Scorsese classic, this film about a mentally unstable Vietnam War veteran who becomes a taxi driver in New York City, was controversial for its portrayal of violence and its ambiguous moral stance. It sparked debates about mental health, urban decay, and vigilante justice.

Fact: The film's ending was changed from a more ambiguous one to a more definitive conclusion after test audiences reacted negatively.

Description: This film, based on the true story of a tobacco industry whistleblower, raised questions about corporate ethics, media responsibility, and personal courage. Its depiction of the tobacco industry's practices and the subsequent legal battles made it a focal point for public discourse.

Fact: The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and Al Pacino's performance as the whistleblower was critically acclaimed.

Description: Martin Scorsese's biopic of stockbroker Jordan Belfort, detailing his rise and fall, was both celebrated for its bravura filmmaking and criticized for its portrayal of excess, drug use, and white-collar crime. It sparked debates on the glorification of unethical behavior.

Fact: The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and Leonardo DiCaprio's performance as Belfort was widely acclaimed.

Description: This adaptation of Stieg Larsson's novel dives into the dark underbelly of Swedish society, exploring themes of abuse, corruption, and revenge. The film's graphic content and its portrayal of violence against women sparked significant discussion about the depiction of such themes in cinema.

Fact: The film was initially banned in Malaysia for its explicit content, and it was the first English-language film for Swedish actress Noomi Rapace, who played Lisbeth Salander in the original Swedish adaptations.

Description: Martin Scorsese's dark comedy about a delusional aspiring comedian who kidnaps a talk show host to get his big break was initially met with mixed reactions. Its themes of fame, obsession, and the American Dream have since been re-evaluated as prescient.

Fact: Robert De Niro's character, Rupert Pupkin, was inspired by real-life incidents involving stalkers of Johnny Carson.

Description: Oliver Stone's film about a couple on a killing spree across America was criticized for glorifying violence. Its frenetic style and satirical take on media sensationalism made it a focal point for discussions on the influence of media on violence.

Fact: The film was inspired by a story idea from Quentin Tarantino, who later disowned the film due to its graphic content and the changes made to his script.