Martin Scorsese said he would consider using a gun due to cuts made to ‘Taxi Driver’ by the studio

Martin Scorsese’s Intense Journey with “Taxi Driver”

Nearly four decades later, “Taxi Driver” remains a pivotal film in art-house cinema. Martin Scorsese, the Oscar-winning director, reflects on his struggles to have the 1976 movie approved by the studio. In a recent clip from the Apple TV+ documentary “Mr. Scorsese,” fellow director Steven Spielberg revisited the concerns that Columbia Pictures had about the film’s graphic violence.

Spielberg, now 78, shared how Scorsese was quite distressed about the studio’s demands. He recounts a phone call: “Steve, Steve, this is Marty. Can I come over?” Such urgency highlighted Scorsese’s worries over the film’s reception.

Interestingly, Jodie Foster, who was just 12 at the time of filming, described Robert De Niro’s portrayal as “scary.” She notes that the atmosphere on set added an unsettling layer to her role as a child prostitute.

Scorsese vividly recalls the pressure, stating, “They wanted me to cut all my blood… They wanted me to cut the guy who lost his hand.” When questioned about how far he would go to assert his vision, he candidly admits, “I was going to get a gun.” The interviewer probes further, asking if he threatened anyone; Scorsese responds, “I probably filmed or shot something. I just didn’t threaten. I was just threatening.” His frustration only grew when faced with more opposition from the studio.

Spielberg points out that Scorsese eventually adapted his approach when he modified the film’s color palette. Instead of cutting scenes entirely, he made the blood look brown. This decision, according to Spielberg, was crucial in preserving the film’s integrity.

None of Scorsese’s team immediately responded for comments about these revelations. “Taxi Driver,” featuring Jodie Foster and Robert De Niro, garnered four Academy Award nominations, solidifying its place in cinematic history.

Reflecting on her early career, Foster reminisces about working with Scorsese since she was just a child. By the age of 12, she felt experience-wise, she had surpassed not only De Niro but also Scorsese. She humorously recalls, “They were definitely scared of me,” highlighting how she navigated a complex world of adult themes as a pre-teen.