Scenarios Revealed: Martin Scorsese's Extreme Measures to Safeguard Taxi Driver in His Initial Glimpse

Scenarios Revealed: Martin Scorsese's Extreme Measures to Safeguard Taxi Driver in His Initial Glimpse

Martin Scorsese's Battle to Save the Iconic Shootout Scene in Taxi Driver

In 1976, Martin Scorsese found himself in a heated conflict with Columbia Pictures over the climactic shootout scene in his film, Taxi Driver. As a young director, Scorsese had already made a name for himself with well-regarded movies like Mean Streets and Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, but was not yet the revered figure he is today.

The studio demanded that Scorsese remove much of the violent climax, leading Scorsese to contemplate drastic actions. He considered getting a gun or physically breaking in to take the rough cut of the film, though he later admitted these threats were more expressions of anger than definite plans[2][3][4][5].

Steven Spielberg recalled that Scorsese was "very upset" and called him in a panic during this time[6]. The situation was so dire that Scorsese even considered destroying the film and letting it be destroyed by the studio.

However, a compromise was reached that allowed Scorsese to keep the shootout scene mostly intact. The solution involved toning down the color grading of the sequence, changing the blood from bright red to a more brownish tone and making the footage grainy. This adjustment satisfied the MPAA ratings board and the studio, effectively preserving the scene’s impact while meeting their concerns[2].

The toning down and grainy effect on the shootout sequence is credited with saving the movie[1]. Steven Spielberg does not remember exactly who had the idea for the workaround on Taxi Driver, but he believes it was crucial in “saving the movie”[1][2].

On October 17, Martin Scorsese is premiering a five-part documentary series about himself on Apple TV Plus. Mr. Scorsese offers exclusive, unrestricted access to Scorsese's private archives and features extensive conversations with Scorsese and interviews with friends, family, and collaborators[7]. A subscription to the streaming service is required to watch.

References: 1. The Hollywood Reporter 2. Vanity Fair 3. The Guardian 4. The New York Times 5. Empire 6. The Guardian 7. Apple TV Plus

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