Martin Scorsese Made a Movie So Controversial, the FBI Had To Protect Him

Martin Scorsese is no stranger to controversy, having made intense and violent films over his long and storied career as a director. There is a three-dimensionality to his characters that makes them totally unforgettable and deeply relatable. Think of Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro) of Taxi Driver, a hero in his mind but a depraved lunatic to those looking in. Travis is deplorable, but the character's innate humanity brings him to life and keeps the viewer engaged. What shall become of this man? That is the genius of Martin Scorsese; he shows us the humanity of people who are largely inaccessible to the public, save for a newspaper headline.