Martin Scorsese: Biography and Film Legacy
Martin Scorsese (born November 17, 1942, Queens, New York, U.S.) is a renowned American filmmaker celebrated for his stark and often violent portrayals of American culture. Emerging in the 1970s, he developed a bold and ambitious body of work that firmly established him as one of the leading directors of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Notable Films
- Taxi Driver
- Raging Bull
- GoodFellas
- The Departed
- The Irishman
- Killers of the Flower Moon
Artistic Approach and Cultural Impact
Scorsese’s films reveal both a cynicism toward contemporary culture and a deep passion for cinema as an art form. His impact on filmmaking extends beyond directing into preserving its history.
Film Preservation Efforts
“In the future the memory of the actual film image will have to be preserved as carefully and lovingly as an ancient artifact at the Met.”
This statement from Scorsese’s 2018 essay in the Encyclopædia Britannica Anniversary Edition: 250 Years of Excellence highlights his ongoing commitment since the 1970s to safeguard the legacy of filmmaking through preservation initiatives.
Editorial Note
Submissions about Scorsese are reviewed by Britannica’s editors for accuracy and potential updates.
Summary: Martin Scorsese is a pivotal American filmmaker known for his daring cinematic style and dedication to preserving film history, marking him as an influential cultural figure.