307 Quotes by Martin Scorsese

Mean Streets dealt with the American Dream, according to which everybody thinks they can get rich quick, and if they can’t do it by legal means then they’ll do it by illegal ones.

My whole life has been movies and religion. That’s it. Nothing else.

There was always a part of me that wanted to be an old-time director. But I couldn’t do that. I’m not a pro.

I don’t think there is any difference between fantasy and reality in the way these should be approached in a film. Of course if you live that way you are clinically insane.

I always say that I’ve been in a bad mood for maybe 35 years now. I try to lighten it up, but that’s what comes out when you get me on camera.

The tone of the picture and the atmosphere was in my head and in my blood in a way once I’d decided to make the picture. I had to find my way through that to choose, select, emphasise certain visual elements and sound.

It’s interesting that these themes of crime and political corruption are always relevant.

The only way I was able to defend myself was to be able to take punishment. Then I got a lot of respect. They said, “Oh, he’s okay, he can take it. Don’t hit him.” The guys were pretty big, and I had asthma.

I’ve seen many, many movies over the years, and there are only a few that suddenly inspire you so much that you want to continue to make films.