Martin Scorsese: The other master

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When Richard Ohlhaber talks to other film buffs about great film directors of Hollywood in the past 50 years, there are a number of names that stand out – Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg, and Martin Scorsese. While each of them has carved his own niche in the industry, Coppola and Spielberg garnered much acclaim and popularity, with Scorsese’s darker take not being received too warmly by unprepared viewers.

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Scorsese initially rose to prominence with his 1976 stunner, “Taxi Driver.” It also marked the emergence of Hollywood superstar Robert de Niro and the classic director-actor partnership that would last for decades. Four years later, Scorsese scored another critical hit with the true-to-life story of pugilist Jake LaMotta in “Raging Bull.”

However, it was not until 1990 when Scorsese crafted his masterpiece “Goodfellas,” a film that had critics comparing it to Coppola’s “The Godfather,” and for a good reason. His next hit was in the mid-90s with the movie “Casino.” It was also, in many ways, perfection in filmmaking. However, the film was criticized as being too similar to “Goodfellas.”


In 2002, Scorsese had another Oscar-challenger in “Gangs of New York,” which was an epic period movie. But it was not until 2006’s “The Departed” when Scorsese finally received his much-deserved Oscar for directing, Richard Ohlhaber notes.

Richard Ohlhaber grew up in Chicago but has been living in the DFW Metroplex since 1998. Though now based in Texas, he is a true Chicago sports fan, cheering for the Bulls and the Bears. For similar reads, visit this page.