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Amazon.co.uk Review
Taxi Driver is the definitive cinematic portrait of loneliness and alienation manifested as violence. It is as if director Martin Scorsese and screenwriter Paul Schrader had tapped into precisely the same source of psychological inspiration ("I just knew I had to make this film", Scorsese would later say), combined with a perfectly timed post-Watergate expression of personal, political and societal anxiety. Robert De Niro, as the tortured, ex-Marine cab driver Travis Bickle, made movie history with his chilling performance as one of the most memorably intense and vividly realised characters ever committed to film. Bickle is a self-appointed vigilante who views his urban beat as an intolerable cesspool of blighted humanity. He plays guardian angel for a young prostitute (Jodie Foster), but not without violently devastating consequences. This masterpiece, which is not for all tastes, is sure to horrify some viewers, but few could deny the film's lasting power and importance. --Jeff Shannon
Amazon.co.uk
Taxi Driver is the definitive cinematic portrait of loneliness and alienation manifested as violence. It is as if director Martin Scorsese and screenwriter Paul Schrader had tapped into precisely the same source of psychological inspiration ("I just knew I had to make this film," Scorsese would later say), combined with a perfectly timed post-Watergate expression of personal, political, and societal anxiety. Robert De Niro, as the tortured, ex-Marine cab driver Travis Bickle, made movie history with his chilling performance as one of the most memorably intense and vividly realized characters ever committed to film. Bickle is a self-appointed vigilante who views his urban beat as an intolerable cesspool of blighted humanity. He plays guardian angel for a young prostitute (Jodie Foster), but not without violently devastating consequences. This masterpiece, which is not for all tastes, is sure to horrify some viewers, but few could deny the film's lasting power and importance. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Travis Bickle (De Niro) is an ex-Marine with a problem, he cannot sleep. So, he gets a job driving a taxi in the New York night. He is a man without fear so he will go anywhere anytime and of course, this means that he always sees the worst of the city.
Travis is almost totally lacking in social skills and this leads to a disastrous date with Betsy (Shepherd) and an ever increasing sense of alienation from and disgust with the world around him.
A chance encounter with Iris (Foster) a child prostitute, increases Travis' sense that he must do something about the city. He wavers between taking action against the man in control of Betsy, politician Charles Palantine for whom Betsy is a campaign worker and the man in control of Iris, Sport (Keitel) her pimp.
A close brush with secret service men who spot him in a crowd makes his decision and Travis decides to free Iris in a bloody shootout.
It's not a bad plot but the movie is really about the alienation of one man from the city around him. In this, De Niro is totally convincing he is in the city but not of the city. He has a hard job too. A social misfit cannot be given a sharp snappy script. Instead, such a person will at times be an embarrassment to those around him and De Niro portrays this perfectly.
This definitely a "must see" film. It is well paced and keeps the audience's attention throughout. The settings and the atmosphere of the dark side of the city are convincing. My only reservation is the ending. I cannot see how Travis' action would have been viewed in the way that the film showed.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
A truly great film deserving of the maximum 5 stars.
Controversy surrounded this film upon it's release and it's easy to see why upon watching. They just don't make films like this today.
I can't think of a bad thing to say about any part of the film. Keep an eye out for Scorsese's 2 cameo appearances during the film.
If you want to see what New York was like in the 1970's grime and all, buy this film.
Controversy surrounded this film upon it's release and it's easy to see why upon watching. They just don't make films like this today.
I can't think of a bad thing to say about any part of the film. Keep an eye out for Scorsese's 2 cameo appearances during the film.
If you want to see what New York was like in the 1970's grime and all, buy this film.
36 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This searing movie from Martin Scorcese is one of the great films of the 1970's. It features Robert DeNiro in the role of a lifetime, as ex-Vietnam vet Travis Bickle, who can't sleep and drives a Cab at night as a form of therapy. Travis also has trouble relating to people and it is this that gives him difficulties when he meets Betsy (played wonderfully by Cybill Shepherd) and things go from bad to worse when he then meets Iris (Jodie Foster) a teenage prostitute.... The supporting cast includes Peter Boyle and Harvey Keitel.
Scorcese works his magic in this film. A number of scenes from this film are unforgettable and some have become iconic. Obviously the "Are you talking to me..." mirror scene is the most well known but there are a number of others. Travis winds up a Secret Service agent, suggesting he would like to join - this is marvellously played. You will notice in a later scene that Travis has made some slight adjustments to his hair! In another classic scene, which certainly influenced Quentin Tarantino for a scene in 'Reservoir Dogs', Travis goes to buy some guns. The dialog is marvellous. Full credit to Paul Schrader for the brilliant script, without his contribution the film would not have as good.
This edition has the following extras:
Introduction to DVD - Martin Scorsese - this was recorded in 2006 and lasts about 15 minutes during which Scorsese talks about the influences that created Taxi Driver (Jean Luc Goddard etc).
Introduction to DVD - Paul Schrader
Commentary - Paul Schrader
Commentary Robert Kolker (Author)
Loneliness and Inspiration - Documentary
Cabbie Confessional - Documentary
Producing a Cult Classic
Appreciation and Influence - this is an interesting series of intereviews about Martin Scorsese with many famous directors and actors.
Taxi Driver Locations - Then and Now
Animated Photo Gallery
Storyboard to Film Comparisons
Behind the Scenes Documentary
Theatrical Trailer
Filmographies
The film also contains the last ever film score from Bernard Hermann who had previously done Citizen Kane and Psycho to name but two. This score is really excellent. A Jazzy saxophone with a haunting melody, but that changes menacingly without warning. Quite brilliant.
This is, particularly at the end, a very violent film and one with an ending that may leave you perplexed. Despite this it has a haunting quality because of its running themes of alienation and loneliness. It isn't easy watching but does reward you with repeated viewings. An essential DVD for any film collection.
Scorcese works his magic in this film. A number of scenes from this film are unforgettable and some have become iconic. Obviously the "Are you talking to me..." mirror scene is the most well known but there are a number of others. Travis winds up a Secret Service agent, suggesting he would like to join - this is marvellously played. You will notice in a later scene that Travis has made some slight adjustments to his hair! In another classic scene, which certainly influenced Quentin Tarantino for a scene in 'Reservoir Dogs', Travis goes to buy some guns. The dialog is marvellous. Full credit to Paul Schrader for the brilliant script, without his contribution the film would not have as good.
This edition has the following extras:
Introduction to DVD - Martin Scorsese - this was recorded in 2006 and lasts about 15 minutes during which Scorsese talks about the influences that created Taxi Driver (Jean Luc Goddard etc).
Introduction to DVD - Paul Schrader
Commentary - Paul Schrader
Commentary Robert Kolker (Author)
Loneliness and Inspiration - Documentary
Cabbie Confessional - Documentary
Producing a Cult Classic
Appreciation and Influence - this is an interesting series of intereviews about Martin Scorsese with many famous directors and actors.
Taxi Driver Locations - Then and Now
Animated Photo Gallery
Storyboard to Film Comparisons
Behind the Scenes Documentary
Theatrical Trailer
Filmographies
The film also contains the last ever film score from Bernard Hermann who had previously done Citizen Kane and Psycho to name but two. This score is really excellent. A Jazzy saxophone with a haunting melody, but that changes menacingly without warning. Quite brilliant.
This is, particularly at the end, a very violent film and one with an ending that may leave you perplexed. Despite this it has a haunting quality because of its running themes of alienation and loneliness. It isn't easy watching but does reward you with repeated viewings. An essential DVD for any film collection.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great blu-ray transfer
Considering the films age, 1976, it's a great blu-ray transfer with great sound also.
About the movie, i found it a little slow during the first half hour or so, then it picks... Read more
About the movie, i found it a little slow during the first half hour or so, then it picks... Read more
Published 5 days ago by .kramsie
Wow!
This is by far the best version of this movie and I bet it will be for years.
Gorgeous picture quality, perfect sound.
This transfer is unbelievable. Read more
Gorgeous picture quality, perfect sound.
This transfer is unbelievable. Read more
Published 20 days ago by Whiskeyjack
De Niro At Best Makes Sleazy New York A Fascination
I love New York City. I see it as the ideal home, a fine place to start in the land of opportunity. Then I saw 'Taxi Driver' and realized that if I'd been an adolescent during the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by George Jackson
Taxi Driver Blu-Ray
Classic Movie from Scorsese!but anyone waiting for the best transfer to HD don't hold your breath OK!! very average quality.... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Caroline
De Niro's Best
This movie is visually stunning with the bright light of New York, Scorcese makes a cameo appearence and De Niro shines once again in this epic thriller.
Published 1 month ago by Mel Santino
Great Film, Amazing Quality!
This is a brilliant film; for me it's aesthetically beautiful (the Taxi bumper shots showing the bright lights of New York are stunning), it's also got a lovely melancholic jazz... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Daniel Brooks
Wow! Amazing picture and sound.
This really is a fantastic transfer of such an old movie. The image and sound are top notch. You really will never have seen this film looking so good. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Neil Partridge
Great Cult 70's Film
Another cult movie in my blu-ray collection. Impressive picture quality for an older movie using 1:85 aspect ratio. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Barry
brutal, humorless classic
This film comes from the 1970s auteur period of nakedly awful stories about the dregs and losers. I remember enjoying my reaction to this as an undergraduate, the way that it kind... Read more
Published 6 months ago by rob crawford
UK 2011 Sony Pictures Blu-ray review
I am not going to go into the film or even the extras contained on the disc! It's a classic, bench-mark piece of American cinema history so there is no need. Read more
Published 6 months ago by SCOTT BLACK HEART
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