We no longer present Martin Scorsese. The American filmmaker has been a legend of the seventh art for more than five decades now. After his last film The Irishmanhe returns this fall with Killers of the Flower Moon which will be released on October 18.
A few weeks before the release of this new feature film, the time is ripe to take a look at the filmography of this acclaimed director. Martin Scorsese has blessed us with many gems, so choosing was not easy. However, we have selected 10 essential productions from his long career.
Gangs of New York (2002)
In Gangs of New York, Leonardo DiCaprio signs his first collaboration with Martin Scorsese, a filmmaker he will almost never leave. He plays a young Irishman named Amsterdam Vallon, a man who tries to take revenge on the ruthless gang leader Bill the Butcher, played by the excellent Daniel Day-Lewis.
We dive into 19th century New York where chaos reigns and the city belongs to the most intrepid (and especially the most violent). Unfortunately, Martin Scorsese and his team will leave the Oscars ceremony in 2003 empty-handed.
The Departed (2006)
We once again find Leonardo DiCaprio, one of Martin Scorsese’s favorite actors in the American adaptation of the Hong Kong thriller Internal Affairs (which we also advise you to see).
He plays Billy Costigan, a police officer undercover in the Boston Irish mafia. The actor meets the cream of Hollywood stars: Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, and even Martin Sheen. This time, the filmmaker wins and leaves with the Oscar for best film and best director.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Shortly after the subprime crisis, Martin Scorsese signed a masterclass, once again with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role. The latter slips into the shoes of Jordan Belfort, a trader who existed in the real world and whose popularity skyrocketed in the 80s and 90s.
It is a life full of excess and characterized by cheating that we see. The scenes where Leonardo DiCaprio seems in a trance and harangues his employees have also made the rounds on the web and have now become memes. As usual, the actor gives his all and shows his ability to play very varied roles.
Taxi Driver (1976)
In this gem which received the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1976, we follow the character of Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro), a lonely and disillusioned taxi driver. The man gradually ends up sinking into madness, and we remember this mythical scene where he addresses his mirror full of rage.
After the intimate Mean Streets in 1973, the two men continued their very fruitful collaboration. The circle will soon be closed with Killers of the Flower Moon where they once again worked together. Taxi Driver is available on Netflix.
Shutter Island (2010)
This is the fourth film on this list which brings together Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio. In this magnificent adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s novel, we follow a police officer who investigates the disappearance of a patient in a psychiatric hospital.
This paranoid thriller pushes the characters (and the spectators) to their limits before the final revelation. If you have not yet seen this gem which reveals enormous surprises, we can only advise you to give it a try. Shutter Island is available on Paramount+.
The Irishman (2019)
Martin Scorsese has lost none of his talent with this 3h30 feature film which allows us to follow the life of Frank Sheeran, a former American soldier who participated in the Second World War. The latter became a prominent member of the Teamsters, the American truckers’ union led by the iconic Jimmy Hoffa.
We embark alongside him on a series of scams and crimes that take him on a path of no return. We advise you to watch this film on Netflix by cutting in the middle (but this is a matter of taste).
Raging Bull (1980)
In this biopic, we follow legendary American boxer Jake LaMotta. His romantic journey of ups and downs is magnified on screen by a very inspired Martin Scorsese. Robert De Niro is actually perfect and at the top of his game in the title role.
With the Rocky saga, we have here one of the best films devoted to this sport, and the filmmaker demonstrates that he can shine in different genres and off the beaten track. If you haven’t seen yet Raging Bullgo for it.
Goodfellas (1990)
This film has very clearly entered the legend of the seventh art thanks to its dream casting: Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Lorraine Bracco, but also Joe Pesci. We follow the journey of Henry Hill, an Irish thug who manages to integrate the Italian mafia in New York.
It is the beginning of a long journey which extends over several decades and which keeps the spectator in suspense for 2h25. A jewel by Martin Scorsese that must be seen urgently.
Casino (1995)
This is another legendary mafia film we are dealing with here. We dive into the world of Las Vegas games with an inspired Robert De Niro as a casino boss. The casting is on point with Sharon Stone at the height of her glory and Joe Pesci on cloud nine.
The feature film lasts 2h58 but we don’t see the time passing at all as the action and rhythm are perfectly controlled.
Watch on Prime Video
The Waltz of the Pantins (1982)
If you enjoyed the film Joker, you should take a look at La Valse des Pantins from which it is largely inspired. We find Robert Pupkin (Robert De Niro) an actor who cannot break through and wants more than anything to be on television.
To force fate, he ends up kidnapping star host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis). By turns absurd and serious, this feature film ends up creating tension until a very striking finale that we let you discover.
Watch on Disney+