Acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese has shared a chilling anecdote from the production of his 1976 masterpiece Taxi Driver, revealing he was once threatened with a gun while filming in New York City.
The Oscar-winning director recounted how a local resident, unhappy with the film crew's presence in his neighbourhood, confronted Scorsese with a firearm during location shooting.
"He pulled out a gun and put it to my head," Scorsese revealed during a recent interview. "He said, 'You come back here tomorrow, I'll blow your brains out.'"
The terrifying incident occurred while filming scenes for what would become one of cinema's most influential films, starring Robert De Niro as troubled Vietnam veteran Travis Bickle.
The Dangers of 1970s New York
Scorsese's story highlights the perilous conditions filmmakers often faced while shooting in 1970s New York, when the city had significantly higher crime rates. The director explained how his team had to carefully negotiate with local communities to continue production.
"We had to go back to that location," Scorsese admitted. "But we sent someone else first to check if the man was there."
A Film That Defined an Era
Despite these challenges, Taxi Driver went on to achieve critical acclaim and cement Scorsese's reputation as one of cinema's greatest directors. The film's unflinching portrayal of urban alienation won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and received four Oscar nominations.
This shocking revelation adds another layer to the already legendary production history of Taxi Driver, which included De Niro famously obtaining a taxi license to prepare for his role.
