Bizarre Account of a 'Taxi Driver' Incident - Dramatic retelling of the "Taxi Driver" narrative
In the world of filmmaking, creative vision often clashes with studio demands. Such was the case for Martin Scorsese during the production of his iconic film, "Taxi Driver," in 1976. As revealed in the upcoming five-part documentary series, "Mr. Scorsese," premiering on October 17, 2025, on Apple TV+, Scorsese faced intense pressure to cut the film's violent and graphic scenes, particularly its bloody climax.
The documentary series, directed by Rebecca Miller, offers an in-depth look into Scorsese's struggles during the making of "Taxi Driver." According to the series, Scorsese was deeply displeased with producers and the studio’s demands to significantly cut the film's violent and graphic scenes. The conflict reached such a peak that Scorsese considered extreme measures, such as stealing the rough cut or "killing the head of the studio" to prevent these cuts.
Fortunately, a technical solution was found. Instead of removing the violent scenes, they desaturated the blood color from red to brown, allowing the scenes to remain but in a less graphic manner. This compromise is said to have "saved the movie."
Steven Spielberg, 78, is also featured in the docuseries, recounting receiving a panicked call from Scorsese, describing his anxiety about the studio’s demands. The series promises to provide insights into Scorsese's life and work, including the anecdote about "Taxi Driver" that illustrates his obsession with filmmaking.
In addition to Spielberg, "Mr. Scorsese" features memories from Scorsese's family and childhood friends, offering exclusive insights into his private archive. Notable colleagues and companions of Scorsese, such as Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio, also speak in the series. Interestingly, Daniel Day-Lewis, three-time Oscar winner and Miller's husband, also appears in the series.
"Taxi Driver" was a definitive breakthrough for Scorsese, and "Mr. Scorsese" promises to delve into the story behind this iconic film, as well as Scorsese's career as a whole. Don't miss the premiere of "Mr. Scorsese" on October 17, 2025, on Apple TV+.
"I'm not going to tell you what I'm gonna do," Martin Scorsese might have said, faced with intense pressure from producers and the studio to cut the violent and graphic scenes in his iconic film, "Taxi Driver," as depicted in the upcoming five-part documentary series, "Mr. Scorsese," on Apple TV+. This docuseries, set to premiere on October 17, 2025, delves into various aspects of Scorsese's life and work, including his struggles in the world of movies and TV, a realm where creative vision often clashes with entertainment industry demands.
