SMALL GROUP EXERCISE
THE DIRECTOR’S STYLE
MARTIN SCORSESE
Martin Scorsese has always claimed that all of his films are connected—the
themes, the characters, etc.
This semester, we’ve watched four Scorsese films:
1. Taxi Driver (1976)
2. Raging Bull (1980)
3. Goodfellas (1990)
4. Casino (1995)
In small groups of four, discuss the ways in which Scorsese’s films really are
interconnected in the following ways:
i. Compare and contrast the lead characters:
1. Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver.
2. Jake La Motta in Raging Bull.
3. Henry in Goodfellas.
4. Sam in Casino.
ii. Compare and contrast the women:
1. Iris and Betsy in Taxi Driver
2. Vicky LaMotta in Raging Bull
3. Karen Hill in Goodfellas
4. Ginger Rothstein in Casino
iii. Look for Patterns in Scorsese’s Method and Style:
1. Sets
2. Props
3. Lighting
4. Camera angles
5. Camera movement
6. Symbolism
iv. Locate Recurring Themes in the Four Films