Martin Scorsese reflects on 'Taxi Driver' script: "Every page is like a razor blade"
Washington, June 22
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of 'Taxi Driver', acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese reflected on what first drew him to the landmark film, revealing that the screenplay's intensity made it impossible to put down.
Scorsese joined screenwriter Paul Schrader and actors Robert De Niro and Jodie Foster for a special conversation at the Tribeca Festival in New York City, as per People magazine.
During the discussion, the Oscar-winning director recalled his first experience reading the script.
"Purely the character and the writing of it. The script is so tight and so strong, and turning the pages ... each page is like a razor blade, you had to be very careful," Scorsese said when asked what attracted him to the project.
The director added that the screenplay immediately resonated with him on a personal level.
"I said, I know this. I know who he is," he said, referring to Travis Bickle, the troubled taxi driver portrayed by Robert De Niro, as per People magazine.
Scorsese also spoke about the literary influences that shaped his understanding of the character.
He revealed that he had long wanted to adapt Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky's 'The Gambler' for the screen after being inspired by several Russian novels during his youth.
One of those works was Notes from Underground, the same book Schrader had in mind while writing the 'Taxi Driver' screenplay.
According to Scorsese, Bickle's emotional turmoil was immediately evident on the page.
"I was intrigued by his resentment, the anger, the grinding up of his insides, his humiliation, being insulted and humiliated, all of that came to me as I read Travis," he told the audience, as per People magazine.
De Niro echoed those sentiments, saying he also connected with the character of Bickle, a disaffected taxi driver whose mental health deteriorates while working night shifts.
"There was something special about the way Paul had written it and the character," De Niro said, adding, "But I had no idea what impact the film would have," as quoted by People magazine.
The actor added that he "identified with [him] in ways," reflecting on his connection with the character during the making of the film.
Released in 1976, 'Taxi Driver' featured an ensemble cast including Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, Harvey Keitel, Peter Boyle, Leonard Harris and Albert Brooks.
Five decades later, the film continues to be remembered as one of the defining works of American cinema, with its creators revisiting the story and character that left a lasting mark on audiences worldwide.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Fifty years and still relevant! But honestly, reading about Travis Bickle's anger and resentment - it's a bit uncomfortable how easily we can sympathize with someone so troubled. That's the power of great writing though, isn't it? Makes you think about how cinema shapes our understanding of mental health.
I remember watching Taxi Driver in a small theatre in Chennai during a film festival. The audience was dead silent during the "You talkin' to me?" scene. Scorsese and De Niro created something timeless. And Jodie Foster at 14? Unbelievable performance! 👏
The Dostoevsky connection is fascinating! Notes from Underground and Taxi Driver - both explore that same existential despair. As someone who studied Russian literature in college, I can see the influence clearly. Scorsese's understanding of that raw, internal turmoil is what separates him from ordinary filmmakers.
I'm an American living in Bangalore and this film hits differently now. Seeing how Scorsese and De Niro talk about connecting with Travis... it's scary how relatable his alienation is, even thousands of miles away in a different era. The script really is a masterpiece of psychological realism.
Classic film, but let's be real - the glorification of violence in Taxi Driver is problematic. Scorsese's brilliance can't hide the fact that we're watching a disturbed man commit horrific acts. We should appreciate the filmmaking while also questioning what it says about society's fascination with anti-heroes.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.