Martin Scorsese: Interviews, Revised and Updated

Conversations With Filmmakers Series

by Robert Ribera (Editor)

Martin Scorsese (b. 1942) has long been considered one of America’s greatest cinematic storytellers. Over the last fifty years he has created some of the most iconic moments in American film, never afraid to confront controversial issues with passion. While few of his films are directly autobiographical, his upbringing in New York’s Little Italy, the childhood asthma that kept him from playing sports, and his early desire to enter the priesthood all helped form his sensibilities and later shaped his distinct style. Community, religion, violence―these themes drive a Scorsese picture, and whether he examines the violence that bursts forth in the hand of Travis Bickle or the passion of Jesus Christ, Scorsese’s mastery of the history, art, and craft of filmmaking is undeniable.

This collection was originally edited by the late Peter Brunette in 1999 and is now revised and extensively updated by Robert Ribera. It traces Scorsese’s evolution from the earliest days of the New American Cinema, his work with Roger Corman, and his days at New York University’s film program to his efforts to preserve the legacy of cinema, his documentary work, and his recent string of successes. Among new movies discussed are The Departed , Hugo , and The Wolf of Wall Street , and the documentaries No Direction Home and The Blues . Scorsese stands out as a director, producer, scholar, preservationist, and icon. His work both behind the camera and in the service of its history are a cornerstone of American and world cinemas. In these interviews, Scorsese takes us from Elizabeth Street to the heights of Hollywood and all the journeys in between.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

He hurts to read. Like, totally, because he, like, talks like this, and like doesn't quite finish his sentences when the interviewers...

Ouch.

Also, the book didn't really provide much helpful information because he'd avoid answering questions about his films whenever he was asked for specifics. Is that a coke thing, 'cause Tarantino does that too.

[Michael Jolls · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books never fail to inspire. A worthy update of the original... my copy is dripping yellow highlighter ink.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't give this a complete review because I didn't read every single interview in this book, and as such, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to offer a complete summation of the book to the reader. What I believe I can convey is the fact that this book is a wonderful resource for any and all people who, like me, admire the work and oeuvre of Martin Scorsese.

This book contains numerous interviews and small articles about the films of Martin Scorsese, while also digging into the man's personal motivations and understandings about cinemas. Topics range from his films Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Goodfellas, Casino, and ends at about the time he had released Kundun. Each essay allows the reader to observe and understand Scorsese's thoughts about the film and where he thought he was weak or strong.

The interviews sometimes don't go as in depth into the process and idea of cinema as I would like, but this book gave me what I wanted which was Scorsese talking about films, both his own and others.

[Nicholas Sokić · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does what it says on the tin. Full of wonderful insights into the creative process of a master of American cinema. The only real fault is one that can't be held against it -- it is old and only goes until 1999.

[Zachary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am honestly not as familiar with Scorsese's work as I'd like to be, but this collection of interviews really lit a fire in me to more deliberately explore his work. His energy is infectious and just bleeds through the pages of these interviews, with his reflections on film, life, ethnicity, culture, faith, and even music adding just so much to thinking about the few of his films that I have seen. Scorsese walks this fascinatingly fine line between being a studio filmmaker/commercial force and a total independent voice unhitched from the vagaries of the Hollywood systems. And he knows the peculiar place that he occupies and does an exceptional job working through it in real-time as he converses with other filmmakers and writers. There are certainly movies of his that I'd have loved to have had more interviews for (especially The Aviator), but this selection was overall incredible in its depth and coverage, and will certainly be a useful and unique reference for me as I try and explore his work in more detail.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marty sure likes to talk about himself.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

great insight into filmmaker Martin Scorese