'A Very British Gangster' is a 2006 Documentary film created by journalist and film maker Donal McIntyre. The film was based around the lives of one of Britain's most notorious criminal families. McIntyre focuses the documentary on the infamous crime lord Dominic Noonan, whom is the patriarch of the criminal Noonan family. The opening holds several of the typical conventions of a documentary.
The scene begins with 360 degree pan of Dominic Noonan along with a narrative voiceover; after a soundbridge Noonan then proceeds to face the camera and directly address the audience in an almost threatening manner. Next, the gang appear to walk through a lower class area in a slow motion, accompanied by urban hip-hop music as if to compliment the 'gangster' theme. Through the voiceover the sheer criminality of the gang is raised, gaining attention from the audience, describing the group as living in the 'criminal underbelly of society. As the gang are dressed in fitted business suits along with contrasting looks their appearence mimics that of an American mobster or black alley businessman.
CCTV footage is also used, representing the constant police surveillance they face. With a cutaway we are then transported to a local gym where the Noonan's commonly visit to train, Noonan shown to be wearing expensive gold chains and jewellery symbolising his wealth and status. Montage footage of Noonan's accused criminal past is also used as well as hand held cameras to make the audience feel like they are part of the action.
The scene begins with 360 degree pan of Dominic Noonan along with a narrative voiceover; after a soundbridge Noonan then proceeds to face the camera and directly address the audience in an almost threatening manner. Next, the gang appear to walk through a lower class area in a slow motion, accompanied by urban hip-hop music as if to compliment the 'gangster' theme. Through the voiceover the sheer criminality of the gang is raised, gaining attention from the audience, describing the group as living in the 'criminal underbelly of society. As the gang are dressed in fitted business suits along with contrasting looks their appearence mimics that of an American mobster or black alley businessman.
CCTV footage is also used, representing the constant police surveillance they face. With a cutaway we are then transported to a local gym where the Noonan's commonly visit to train, Noonan shown to be wearing expensive gold chains and jewellery symbolising his wealth and status. Montage footage of Noonan's accused criminal past is also used as well as hand held cameras to make the audience feel like they are part of the action.
