The Film That Made Martin Scorsese the Happiest He’s Ever Been

Martin Scorsese is best known for his legendary crime films like Taxi Driver and Goodfellas, but his career goes far beyond gritty mob dramas. He has explored psychological horror in Shutter Island, whimsical adventure in Hugo, and most recently tackled the sweeping Western of Killers of the Flower Moon.

While many focus on his feature films, Scorsese has also created some of his most personal work in music documentaries. He has explored the lives of Bob Dylan, George Harrison, and The Rolling Stones, but his 1978 project, The Last Waltz, stands out as a crowning achievement.

The film captured The Band’s final farewell concert and included intimate performances and interviews filmed on an MGM soundstage. After working closely with the musicians for a week, Scorsese gave Robbie Robertson a note that read, “This has been the happiest week of my life.

” That week not only shaped the film but also started a forty-year friendship between the director and Robertson, which lasted until Robertson’s passing in 2023. Scorsese has called Robertson a confidante, collaborator, and advisor, praising the depth and soul of his music.

At 83, Scorsese shows no signs of slowing down. He recently arrived in Prague to start production on What Happens at Night, a supernatural psychological drama based on Peter Cameron’s novel. The film marks his seventh collaboration with Leonardo DiCaprio, who stars alongside Jennifer Lawrence and Patricia Clarkson.

DiCaprio described the project as suspenseful and eerie, echoing the tone of Shutter Island. The team plans to use Prague’s winter landscapes to create a haunting, dreamlike atmosphere. Scorsese is also keeping Robertson’s memory alive with a new documentary project called Life Is a Carnival.

He was recently seen in Los Angeles filming a tribute concert featuring Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, and Mavis Staples. The project is intended as a companion piece to The Last Waltz, showing how Scorsese’s love for music has remained a constant throughout his career.

In addition, long-time projects like a Frank Sinatra biopic and an adaptation of The Wager are still in development, suggesting that the director has a busy schedule for years to come.

Scorsese’s career has always balanced films about crime, music, and human complexity. With What Happens at Night, he returns to the eerie, psychological style that fans of his work know well, while also continuing to honor the people and music that have shaped his life.

Do you think Martin Scorsese’s return to psychological thrillers is the perfect next step after his recent epics, or would you rather see him focus on music and documentaries again? Share your thoughts in the comments.