Unforgettable Facts About Martin Scorsese’s Cinematic Masterpieces

From Taxi Driver to The Irishman, Martin Scorsese has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema. Let's delve into some lesser-known yet fascinating facts about his breathtaking films.

/story behind the making of Hugo

Hugo (2011) was particularly special for Scorsese. He made it at his wife's request so that his 12-year-old daughter could experience one of his films. This ambitious and visually stunning film not only received critical acclaim but also won Scorsese his first Best Director Oscar nomination.

The Wolf of Wall Street: A Vulgarity Frenzy

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) is one of the most explosive films in terms of profanity. It includes a staggering 569 F-bombs, making it the highest-count non-documentary movie. Scorsese effectively used the language to underscore the chaos and moral bankruptcy of Jordan Belfort, portraying his world with jaw-dropping clarity.

Religious Reflections in The Last Temptation of Christ

Scorsese's personal reflection is evident in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988). During a pre-production meeting, when asked why he wanted to make the film, he thought for a moment and replied, "Because I want to know Jesus more." This expression of spirituality and introspection is a driving force behind the film's complex narrative and thematic depth.

Years of Preparation for Silence

Another remarkable piece of Silence (2016) is the decade-long wait behind it. Scorsese believed that creating such a complex and spiritually driven film required both artistic and spiritual readiness. It took him 28 years to make Silence, ensuring that the story was meticulously crafted and presented with solemnity and reverence.

The Age of Innocence: A Movies Within a Movie

While proceeding with his award-winning film The Age of Innocence (1993), Scorsese confessed that it is his most violent movie. The brutality, however, is mainly emotional, with no physical violence. The film delves into the societal pressures of 19th century New York City, offering a poignant exploration of human emotions.

Casino: A Teaser of Violence

In Casino (1995), Martin Scorsese aimed to showcase a series of intense scenes. To make the violence in the film seem more tame, he added a head-in-vice scene, which could be removed if the film was threatened with an NC-17 rating. The film still maintained its R rating, which includes more than just the single scene in question.

Raging Bull: A Cinematic Delusion

Raging Bull (1980) has historically been remembered for its raw and gritty portrayal of a boxer’s rise to fame. However, the often-violent scenes in the film are a bit of a misnomer. In reality, the blood in the film was chocolate syrup, much like in Hitchcock's iconic Psycho. This replaces the blood-soaked Elm Street with the gritty sustenance of Brooklyn.

The Influence on Goodfellas and Casino

Scorsese's move from Taxi Driver to Goodfellas, another of his masterpieces, marked a shift in his directorial style and narrative techniques. His next notable work, Casino, solidified his position as a leading figure in gangster cinema. While these films often garnered attention for their explicit content, they also broke new ground with their stylistic choices and the depth of their characters.

The above are just a handful of fascinating facts about Scorsese's films. From the technical decisions behind the scenes to the personal reflections that shaped his narratives, there is much to discover in the works of this exceptional director.

Key Keywords: Martin Scorsese, Scorsese films, Taxi Driver