Martin Scorsese Admits He Thinks This Classic Film Is Terrible

Martin Scorsese has never been shy about sharing his honest opinions about movies. The legendary director loves film history and often talks about the classics that shaped the industry. But there is one extremely important movie that he has openly disliked for most of his life: The Jazz Singer.

The 1927 film is famous because it helped introduce synchronized sound to mainstream cinema. For many historians, it is one of the most important turning points in movie history.

Even Scorsese agrees that the film changed everything for Hollywood. Still, he has never liked it as a movie. In a conversation with film critic Richard Schickel, the director spoke very plainly about his feelings. When the topic of the film came up, Scorsese said, “I dislike The Jazz Singer.”

Schickel responded by calling it an awful movie. Scorsese did not argue. Instead, he simply replied, “It’s terrible.” The comment may surprise some movie fans, especially because Scorsese is known for his deep respect for cinema history.

He clearly understands the importance of the film. But for him, historical importance does not automatically mean the movie is good. Growing up, the film had a very different meaning inside the Scorsese household. His parents admired it and often spoke about it with affection. His father, Charles Scorsese, connected strongly with the story.

The film follows a Jewish family dealing with tradition and generational conflict. According to Scorsese, his father saw similarities between that story and their own Sicilian immigrant background in America. For his parents, the emotional themes felt personal.

Scorsese, however, always focused more on the film itself and how it worked as storytelling. While he recognizes that the movie rewrote the rules for Hollywood, he still believes it simply is not a good film. For him, there is a clear difference between a movie that changes the industry and a movie that works well as art or entertainment.

Even while discussing older films, Scorsese remains busy with new projects. The director recently returned to the set for another major production called What Happens at Night. Filming began in late February 2026 in Prague. The project marks his first time directing since the release of Killers of the Flower Moon in 2023.

The new movie is a psychological horror story based on a novel by Peter Cameron. The cast includes several major stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Mads Mikkelsen, Patricia Clarkson, and Jared Harris.

The screenplay was adapted by Patrick Marber. The story follows a married American couple traveling to a remote snowy town in Europe. They arrive there hoping to adopt a child, but their trip slowly turns into a strange and unsettling mystery.

Scorsese is known for taking his time with editing and post-production, so the movie will likely take a while to finish. The film is being produced by Apple Original Films, and many people in the industry expect it to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2027.

Even as he approaches his mid-80s, Scorsese continues to work with the same passion that made him one of the most respected directors in cinema. Whether he is talking about classic films or creating new ones, his love for movies is still very clear.

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