Taxi Driver: Martin Scorsese's 50-Year Masterpiece

Taxi Driver is regarded as one of Martin Scorsese's best films and one of the most enduring movies of all time. Not bad for a film that screenwriter Paul Schrader came up with from a hospital bed. Now, as the movie celebrates its 50th anniversary, Schrader says there was never an idea that the movie would still be talked about half a century later.

Speaking to Gold Derby, Schrader said of conceiving Taxi Driver, "This notion of the taxicab came to me. This metaphor of a young kid in this metal box floating around the city who seemed to be surrounded by people but feels completely alone. Once I had the metaphor, I began to write the script." From its simple origin, Taxi Driver went on to win the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for four Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor for De Niro, and Best Original Screenplay for Schrader's script.

The film has become more than its accolades and continues to resonate with modern audiences, even though Schrader admits no one expected it. "It's a film that won't die.

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