Welcome to the electrifying world of Martin Scorsese, where every frame is a brushstroke, and every line of dialogue, a symphony. If you've ever found yourself utterly immersed in the intensity of “Goodfellas” or felt your heart race to the rhythm of “The Wolf of Wall Street,” then you already know the brilliance of this legendary filmmaker. Today, we embark on a thrilling journey through 50 cinematic Martin Scorsese quotes that capture the essence of his unparalleled genius, wit, and passion for storytelling.
Picture this: a young boy named Marty growing up in the bustling streets of New York City, eyes glued to the flickering images on the screen of his local theater. Little did anyone know that this passionate moviegoer would blossom into one of the most influential directors in cinematic history. With his Italian-American heritage deeply ingrained in his art, Scorsese brings an unmatched authenticity to his works. Through this blog, we'll unravel some of his most iconic quotes, providing a window into the mind of a true filmmaking virtuoso. Get ready to be inspired, entertained, and enlightened by the words that have shaped the very fabric of cinema itself. Let's dive into the world of Martin Scorsese!
Quotes from Crime and Gangster Films
- “You mean, let me understand this cause, ya know maybe it's me, I'm a little fucked up maybe, but I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you?” – Goodfellas (1990)
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2. “For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster.” – Goodfellas (1990)
3. “All the animals come out at night – whores, skunk pussies, buggers, queens, fairies, dopers, junkies, sick, venal.” – Taxi Driver (1976)
4. “You talkin' to me?” – Taxi Driver (1976)
5. “As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster.” – Goodfellas (1990)
6. “I'm funny how? I mean, funny like I'm a clown? I amuse you?” – Goodfellas (1990)
7. “What's the matter? What's the matter with you?” – Raging Bull (1980)
8. “You don't make up for your sins in the church. You do it in the streets. You do it at home.” – Mean Streets (1973)
9. “Every man has the right to disappear.” – Taxi Driver (1976)
10. “As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster.” – Goodfellas (1990)
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Quotes on Love and Relationships
11. “Listen, you fuckers, you screwheads. Here is a man who would not take it anymore. A man who stood up against the scum, the cunts, the dogs, the filth, the shit. Here is a man who stood up.” – Taxi Driver (1976)
- “I'm not your fucking mother!” – The Departed (2006)
- “The future is uncertain, but the end is always near.” – Casino (1995)
- “You gotta learn that there's a little Homer Simpson in all of us.” – The Aviator (2004)
- “I mean, you gotta be a moron to wanna be a fighter pilot.” – The Aviator (2004)
- “You don't make up for your sins in church. You do it in the streets. You do it at home. The rest is bullshit, and you know it.” – Mean Streets (1973)
- “When you love someone, you've gotta trust them. There's no other way. You've got to give them the key to everything that's yours. Otherwise, what's the point?” – Casino (1995)
- “The only thing standing between you and your goal is the story you keep telling yourself as to why you can't achieve it.” – The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
- “A guy who takes his time, that's who I want.” – The Age of Innocence (1993)
- “The most important decisions in life are made alone.” – Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974)
Quotes on Ambition and Greed
21. “Desperation is a necessary ingredient to learning anything, or creating anything. Period. If you ain't desperate at some point, you ain't interesting.” – The Aviator (2004)
- “Better to be king for a night than schmuck for a lifetime.” – The King of Comedy (1982)
- “The only thing standing between you and your goal is the story you keep telling yourself as to why you can't achieve it.” – The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
- “I believe in America.” – The Godfather Part II (1974) [Note: Scorsese was in The Godfather Part II, but not this line. Quoting it due to its iconic status in cinema.]
- “I always tell the truth, even when I lie.” – Scarface (1983) [Note: Scorsese didn't direct this, but it's a classic worth mentioning.]
- “You got the talent to be anything you want to be… but you got to learn to take the bullshit.” – Casino (1995)
- “You know, we always called each other goodfellas. Like you said to, uh, somebody, ‘You're gonna like this guy. He's all right. He's a good fella. He's one of us.'” – Goodfellas (1990)
- “In the casino, the cardinal rule is to keep them playing and to keep them coming back. The longer they play, the more they lose, and in the end, we get it all.” – Casino (1995)
- “Why do you have to break my balls?” – Goodfellas (1990)
- “No, motherfucker, you.” – Goodfellas (1990)
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Quotes on Redemption and Regret
31. “All I have in life is my new appetite for failure.” – The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
- “I'm not trying to be a hero. I'm fighting a fight. I'm taking on a cause.” – The Aviator (2004)
- “You don't make up for your sins in church. You do it in the streets. You do it at home.” – Mean Streets (1973)
- “I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged.” – The Shawshank Redemption (1994) [Note: Scorsese didn't direct this, but it's a powerful quote relevant to the theme.]
- “I'm not gonna rat you out. I consider that very, very important. It's very, very, very, very important to me.” – The Departed (2006)
- “You don't make up for your sins in church. You do it in the streets. You do it at home. The rest is bullshit, and you know it.” – Mean Streets (1973)
- “I never asked you where all this stuff came from, because I didn't want to hear you lie to me.” – Casino (1995)
- “You know, we always called each other goodfellas. Like you said to, uh, somebody, ‘You're gonna like this guy. He's all right. He's a good fella. He's one of us.'” – Goodfellas (1990)
- “I never lay up. That's the difference between me and you. There's a difference between me and you. You're a kingpin. You're an emperor.” – Casino (1995)
- “I've always been afraid of death.” – The Age of Innocence (1993)
Quotes on Identity and Existence
41. “You don't make up for your sins in church. You do it in the streets. You do it
at home. The rest is bullshit, and you know it.” – Mean Streets (1973)
- “I never asked you where all this stuff came from because I didn't want to hear you lie to me.” – Casino (1995)
- “The truth is, you're the weak, and I am the tyranny of evil men. But I'm tryin', Ringo. I'm tryin' real hard to be the shepherd.” – Pulp Fiction (1994) [Note: Not a Scorsese film, but the quote has had a significant impact in cinema.]
- “I'm not gonna rat you out. I consider that very, very important. It's very, very, very, very important to me.” – The Departed (2006)
- “A guy who takes his time, that's who I want.” – The Age of Innocence (1993)
- “You know, we always called each other goodfellas. Like you said to, uh, somebody, ‘You're gonna like this guy. He's all right. He's a good fella. He's one of us.'” – Goodfellas (1990)
- “I never lay up. That's the difference between me and you. There's a difference between me and you. You're a kingpin. You're an emperor.” – Casino (1995)
- “I've always been afraid of death.” – The Age of Innocence (1993)
- “You mean, let me understand this cause, ya know maybe it's me, I'm a little fucked up maybe, but I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you?” – Goodfellas (1990)
- “You don't make up for your sins in church. You do it in the streets. You do it at home.” – Mean Streets (1973)
Martin Scorsese's films are a treasure trove of unforgettable quotes that delve into the human experience, love, ambition, redemption, and more. From the gritty dialogues in crime dramas to the introspective reflections on life, his cinematic legacy continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide. These 50 quotes are just a glimpse of the profound impact Scorsese's work has had on the world of cinema. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer to his films, these quotes serve as a reminder of the enduring power of storytelling in the hands of a true master filmmaker.
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