Scorsese was part of the new wave in American filmmaking, one which ultimately redefined the country’s cinema for the better, pushing new boundaries and exploring the potential of the cinematic medium. Through his masterpieces, such as Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, Scorsese managed to weave together glimpses of an America that was overflowing with modernity.
Scorsese’s films have grappled with various issues, ranging from comparative studies between the institution of crime and the corruption of the government to questions of spirituality and faith. Given that he was mentored by none other than John Cassavetes, another pioneer of the American New Wave whose improvisational style, it should come as no surprise that these elements bled into the artistic sensibilities of a young Scorsese.
A vocal advocate of world cinema, very few filmmakers have done as much as Scorsese to spread awareness about the cinematic masterpieces produced in the world’s remotest corners. He has consistently reminded the world of the need for visual literacy, claiming that the history of cinema is far too important to be ignored and forgotten.
The aging auteur warns against the direction in which the market is heading because it only signifies the slow death of modern independent filmmaking.
An avid cinephile who immersed himself in the world of films from very young age, Scorsese’s knowledge of film history is unparalleled.
He selected 125 of his favorite films when other directors satisfied themselves with a top ten pick. From his selections, it is evident that Scorsese’s mental library of films is extremely intimidating. An eclectic mix of some of the definitive masterpieces of the 20th century, Scorsese managed to single out the essential films you need to watch in order to get more comprehensive understanding of the history of cinema.
Despite this huge list, Scorsese does have a few favorites. When asked to select just five, the auteur reluctantly picked The Searchers and Citizen Kane before adding The Red Shoes, Fellini’s 81/2 and The Leopard by Luchino Visconti.
The Leopard
“Another masterpiece about Sicily, another meditation on eternity, and an endlessly rich historical tapestry, meticulously composed in color and on 70 mm.”
“Time itself is the protagonist of The Leopard: the cosmic scale of time, of centuries and epochs, on which the prince muses; Sicilian time, in which days and nights stretch to infinity; and aristocratic time, in which nothing is ever rushed and everything happens just as it should happen, as it has always happened.”
A stunning historical epic, The Leopard, conducts a grand exploration of 19th-century social structures in Italy and the aristocracy in Sicily.
Film Education: Scorsese’s 125 Favorite Movies (Masterpieces)
Scorsese Long List of 125 Favorite Movies
Scorsese’s films have grappled with various issues, ranging from comparative studies between the institution of crime and the corruption of the government to questions of spirituality and faith. Given that he was mentored by none other than John Cassavetes, another pioneer of the American New Wave whose improvisational style, it should come as no surprise that these elements bled into the artistic sensibilities of a young Scorsese.
A vocal advocate of world cinema, very few filmmakers have done as much as Scorsese to spread awareness about the cinematic masterpieces produced in the world’s remotest corners. He has consistently reminded the world of the need for visual literacy, claiming that the history of cinema is far too important to be ignored and forgotten.
The aging auteur warns against the direction in which the market is heading because it only signifies the slow death of modern independent filmmaking.
He selected 125 of his favorite films when other directors satisfied themselves with a top ten pick. From his selections, it is evident that Scorsese’s mental library of films is extremely intimidating. An eclectic mix of some of the definitive masterpieces of the 20th century, Scorsese managed to single out the essential films you need to watch in order to get more comprehensive understanding of the history of cinema.
Despite this huge list, Scorsese does have a few favorites. When asked to select just five, the auteur reluctantly picked The Searchers and Citizen Kane before adding The Red Shoes, Fellini’s 81/2 and The Leopard by Luchino Visconti.
The Leopard
“Another masterpiece about Sicily, another meditation on eternity, and an endlessly rich historical tapestry, meticulously composed in color and on 70 mm.”
A stunning historical epic, The Leopard, conducts a grand exploration of 19th-century social structures in Italy and the aristocracy in Sicily.
Scorsese’s 125 favorite movies: