Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese form one of the most celebrated collaborations in American cinema, combining exceptional direction with powerful acting. Their films, spanning nearly five decades, showcase intense stories often focused on crime, violence, and complex characters, making Robert De Niro Martin Scorsese films a crucial part of film history.
Scorsese’s style highlights themes like money, masculinity, and moral struggles through gritty yet artistic visuals, while De Niro’s performances bring these narratives to life with profound emotional depth. Together, their work ranges from iconic masterpieces to underrated gems that continue to resonate with audiences.
The Shared Artistic Vision Between Scorsese and De Niro
Martin Scorsese reflects on his relationship with De Niro, noting a deep connection based on mutual understanding and compassion.
“I’ve come to know De Niro fairly well down the years,”
Scorsese has said.
“He’s a very compassionate man. He’s basically a very good man and you can see that in him. So he can take on characters that are pretty disturbing and make them human because of that compassion. It’s taken me years to figure it out. He has an ability to make audiences feel empathy for very difficult characters because there is something very decent in him.”
He also added how their shared backgrounds helped influence their storytelling:
“He comes from the same area that I did and somehow through Mean Streets and Taxi Driver, we found that we were drawn to the same subject matter, same psychological, emotional conflicts in people, in character and in ourselves.”
Their synergy has manifested in films that capture raw human emotions and dark psychological landscapes.
Iconic Films in the Legacy of De Niro and Scorsese
Their portfolio includes a variety of genres from intense crime dramas to dark comedies and biographies, reflecting their shared thematic concerns with violence, identity, and existential turmoil.
New York, New York (1977): A Musical Exploration of Ambition and Love
In their third collaboration, Scorsese and De Niro ventured into the musical genre with New York, New York, telling the story of a talented saxophonist and a young singer navigating the tensions between career ambitions and romantic relationships. De Niro’s portrayal of Jimmy captures the complexity of a flawed man whose personal struggles complicate love.
The film intended to pay homage to classic jazzy musicals but left some viewers feeling it lacked narrative cohesion, despite its evocative atmosphere.
The Audition (2015): A Satirical Short Featuring Cinema Icons
This 15-minute short film marked the reunion of De Niro and Scorsese in the 2010s and was notable for its satire targeting the entertainment industry. Both De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio play exaggerated versions of themselves competing for a leading role in a high-profile film directed by Scorsese-like figure.
The playful interaction between De Niro and DiCaprio adds humor and a meta-commentary on celebrity culture, though the film’s primary purpose was promotional, notably for a casino in China.
Cape Fear (1991): Scorsese’s Dark Reimagining of a Classic Thriller
Scorsese brought a fresh and intense vision to the 1962 noir thriller Cape Fear. The story follows a convicted criminal seeking revenge after imprisonment, with De Niro delivering a chilling portrayal filled with rage and menace. The film’s built-up anxiety and psychological tension create a pressure-cooker effect, drawing inspiration from Hitchcock’s work but amplifying the darkness and unpredictability.
Mean Streets (1973): The Beginning of a Powerful Partnership
Mean Streets is the film that launched the iconic collaboration between Scorsese and De Niro. The story centers on Charlie, an Italian-American navigating loyalty and ambition in the mob world, with De Niro playing Johnny Boy, a volatile and reckless character who steals much of the screen time. De Niro’s performance was critically acclaimed and earned him the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Scorsese’s skillful use of setting and soundtrack enriches the characters’ inner lives and unspoken desires, marking it as a significant milestone in both of their careers.
The King of Comedy (1982): A Darkly Comic Take on Fame and Obsession
This black comedy focuses on Rupert Pupkin, played by De Niro, an aspiring stand-up comedian whose delusions drive him to stalk his idol, a talk show host played by Jerry Lewis. The film serves as a sharp satire of celebrity obsession and media culture, examining the lengths to which people go in pursuit of fame.
De Niro’s portrayal balances derangement and sympathy, revealing a disturbing portrait of ambition distorted by societal pressures. Scorsese’s direction critiques American culture’s fixation on idols and the often unhealthy nature of hero worship.
Killers of the Flower Moon (2023): Evoking Historical Tragedy and Injustice
Returning to grand epic storytelling, Killers of the Flower Moon recounts the brutal murders of wealthy Osage tribe members in 1920s Oklahoma after oil was discovered beneath their land. The case led to one of the FBI’s first major homicide investigations. De Niro stars in his tenth collaboration with Scorsese alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Jesse Plemons, and Lily Gladstone.
The film is a striking reflection on the intersection of capitalism, racism, and exploitation, seen through Scorsese’s masterful storytelling and vivid visual style. It stands as a compelling testament to overlooked American history.
The Irishman (2019): An Introspective Mob Epic
The Irishman brings together De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci in a sprawling examination of loyalty, violence, and regret within organized crime. De Niro plays Frank Sheeran, a truck driver turned hitman caught in complex mob allegiances.
The film won praise particularly for its narrative depth and use of digital de-aging technology on its lead actors, enabling a seamless portrayal of decades-long events. At 209 minutes and with a budget of $250 million, it is one of Scorsese’s most ambitious projects. The story offers a somber meditation on the personal costs of a life immersed in crime.
Casino (1995): The High-Stakes World of Organized Crime
Set in 1970s Las Vegas, Casino features De Niro as a low-level mobster attempting to navigate the casino business. The film combines Scorsese’s signature dynamic camerawork with a vividly detailed depiction of the city’s glamour and the violent undercurrents of mob control.
De Niro’s performance grounds the fast-paced narrative that explores greed, power struggles, and betrayal in the casino industry, all framed by a decadent and often dangerous world.
Goodfellas (1990): A Raw Look at the Mafia Life
Goodfellas follows Henry Hill, played by Ray Liotta, as he is drawn deeper into the violent and materialistic mafia lifestyle. De Niro’s character, Jimmy Conway, acts as a mentor guiding Henry’s transformation into a gangster.
Scorsese’s masterful direction combines frenetic editing, a pulsing soundtrack, and a non-linear narrative, painting an unfiltered portrait of crime’s allure and destructive consequences. De Niro’s performance adds a crucial emotional weight to the film’s intense story.
Taxi Driver (1976): A Dark Journey into Urban Isolation
Taxi Driver features De Niro in what is often considered his most iconic role as Travis Bickle, a lonely veteran whose mental state unravels amid the decay of New York City. His quest to rescue a young prostitute, played by Jodie Foster, reveals a troubling descent into violence and alienation.
Scorsese’s atmospheric direction captures the grit and moral collapse of urban life, presenting a chilling character study that earned De Niro an Oscar nomination. The film’s cultural impact is profound, becoming a defining work for both artist and director.
Raging Bull (1980): A Visceral Portrayal of a Troubled Boxer
In Raging Bull, De Niro embodies Jake LaMotta, an intense boxer whose personal demons affect both his career and his relationships. Shot mostly in black and white, the film’s stark visuals and innovative editing immerse viewers in the brutality of boxing and the emotional turmoil of its protagonist.
Scorsese described the production as a career-defining project, stating,
“I made it as if this was the end of my life, over. Suicide film. I didn’t care if I made another movie … In a way, it wiped me out. I had to start all over and learn again. Every day on the shoot, ‘This is the last one, and we’re going for it.’”
De Niro’s transformative performance remains a high point in both their careers.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Robert De Niro Italian or Albanian?
A. Robert De Niro’s grandfather on his father’s side came from an Italian background, while his other roots are Irish, English, Dutch, German, and French. He studied acting at the Stella Adler Conservatory and the American Workshop.
Q. Why did Jennifer Lawrence ask Robert De Niro to leave her wedding?
A. Jennifer Lawrence felt no happiness at her wedding rehearsal dinner. Because of this, she requested that Robert De Niro leave. In an interview with E! News on January 7, Lawrence mentioned that being a bride was extremely stressful.
Q. How many times has Robert De Niro been married and how many kids does he have?
A. Robert De Niro has tied the knot twice and is a dad to seven kids. Check out pictures of his exes and family here.
Q. Can Robert De Niro speak Italian?
A. Robert De Niro takes pride in his Italian heritage, as his great-grandparents came from Molise. He won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor thanks to his skill in speaking the Sicilian dialect in The Godfather II.
