Badlands : Was this the start of the genre?

I am a huge fan of the "coulples-on-the-run" genre, its probably my favorite genre of films. though its more of a subgenre of action and/or romance, I like to consider it as its own genre being that the stories, though uncannily similar to one another, are terrific and the performances are always great and memorable. Though only disappointed with Lynch's Wild at Heart, I love Badlands, Kalifornia, True Romance, and Natural Born Killers. Every time I hear of a new film in this genre I move it immediately to the top of my netflix queue. I was just wondering, having just finished watching Badlands and loving it, was this the film that put these type of films into motion. Like I know there were many other films about rampaging couples (Double Indemnity is an example) but most of those films are film noir. In these films, the killings are usually instigated by the male or by both lovers. In film noir, the killings are as a result of the woman's desires which is what leads to their inevitable downfall. Also, in this genre, both of the lovers may get away clean in order to continue their everlasting love. I was just curious if this was the film that was the start of this "couples-on-the-run" experience being that there are obvious similarities between Badlands and the others listed above. Was there anything similar to Badlands or that could be argued as the inspiration for Badlands that was released previously?

I am Jack's complete lack of surprise

Bonnie And Clyde (1967)

You Only Live Once (1937) directed by Fritz Lang is one of the earliest of this genre.

Never heard of it. Is it any good? Like would you recommend it?

I am Jack's complete lack of surprise

Gun Crazy 1949

Gun crazy definitely. But also the sadist. Although it was before badlands, it's a bit of a twist by showing the end of the killing spree. Original title was charlie, sweet charlie.

"Now you go get me a beer and a woman. I'll give that waterbed a workout!"
AQUA TEEN HUNGER FORCE

"Thelma and Loise" :)

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I amDonnie Darko.

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It's not the earliest by any means, but there's also this one:
They Live by Night (1949)

~~MystMoonstruck~~

im writing a piece now on exactly this question. i find it interesting that star crossed lovers like romeo & juliet, who took their own lives, is rarely portrayed in film, instead its the lovers/outlaws on the run theme, although typically the parental figures are some way involved in their childrens' running, or one of the parental figures is killed, and the result is the children running.

its rare to find a film with two "normal" people truly in love, who commited no fault except being at the wrong place wrong time (although Wild at Heart i think fits this description.)

its almost as if 2 people in love can never run away in peace and truly escape their past, or 2 people simply cant be in love and feel alive at the same time (atleast thats what the media may want us to think)

The very first 'couples on the run' film is a low budget, but surprisingly effective, 1963 production called THE SADIST.

It starred Arch Hall Jr. as Charlie Tibbs, who was actually Charlie Starkweather.

I won't say anymore, just check it out.

You could also argue that a lot of Hitchcock's films fall into the "couple on the run" theme. Obviously these couples are always "good guys" and there is far less violence in his films.

what about the best one, bonnie and clyde? I like all these movies too, but the best, the original, is bonnie and clyde. I could watch that movie 100 times and not get bored. a true classic

This is a theme that has been portrayed in movies since the very beginning, if you look at Godard's 1960 " bout de souffle" or 1955's "Rebel Without a Cause", 1948's "Out of the Past", 1943's "Ossessione", 1936's "Modern Times", 1935's "The 39 Steps", 1932's "Scarface", 1928's "Die Bchse der Pandora", 1915's "A Jitney Elopement", you'll see strong evidence of that. You could even say the very first movie ever, 1878's "Sallie Gardner at a Gallop", holds the essentials of the theme.



The closest movies to my heart: http://www.imdb.com/list/2dvIwYpAmd4/

You must watch "Breathless" and "Bonnie and Clyde" (which was basically an American remake of "Breathless" - not to be confused with the actual American remake of "Breathless")

"Bonnie & Clyde (which was basically an American remake of Breathless/-/)"

Really? How is that? Havent seen B&C in ages, but from what I recall, whatever similarities these 2 films have, theyre fairly broad.



"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

how can you be so stupid? you do realize bonnie and clyde are based on real people.