Release Date: 8/14/07

The Film

“Loneliness has followed me my whole life, everywhere. In bars, in cars, sidewalks, stores, everywhere. There’s no escape. I’m God’s lonely man.”

– Travis Bickle

Perhaps my favorite film of all time, Taxi Driver is a masterpiece of a film that truly gets the powerful and emotional themes it portrays. Completely wrought with life’s darker realities and truths, the film not only touches upon the human psyche, but dives deep into the issues of alienation, loneliness, rejection, self-hate, and desperation. As one of Martin Scorsese’s finest works and Robert DeNiro’s greatest performance, Taxi Driver manages to reach out to audiences and have them affected in a profound way.

The film follows Travis Bickle (DeNiro), a Vietnam War veteran that is afflicted by anti-social tendencies. From the on set of the film, we see Travis become a cabbie because of his insomnia and just a general lack of something to do. However, as the film progresses, we see a complex, contradictory at times, character evolve from a scared boy to an avenger-like persona. He still remains a pitiable and almost downright despicable person, and yet, he remains the everyman that we can all relate to during our darkest hours. Through a series of kick-to-the-gut events that normal people experience everyday, we watch as Travis eventually reacts in a psychotic manner that might seem outrageous on first glance, but with more introspection, we genuinely feel for Travis’s frustration with his place in the world.

Aside from the powerful and realistically crafted script, Taxi Driver also benefits from Scorsese’s genius at the helm and a great cast led by DeNiro’s perfect personification of loneliness. We see Harvey Keitel play the slimy pimp, Cybill Shepherd as the object of Travis’s unrequited love interest, and a young Jodie Foster play the babe in the woods who needs a guide in life. If you’re one of the few unfortunate people on the face of the planet that has yet to see this character study, you don’t know what you’re missing out on.

The DVD

The main menu comes with a short introduction and scrolling clips in the background while the film’s fabulous score plays. The submenus are silent with still backgrounds. Everything looks great.

The video is offered in 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen. The picture has been cleaned up and the level of detail and colors really hop out compared to the original release. I can honestly say after viewing this release that there were definitely small items of detail that I just wasn’t able to pick up on with the original release.

The audio is offered in English Dolby Digital 5.1 and French Dolby Digital 5.1. Once again, the audio has been completely restored and provides us with a great aural experience. This is a great dynamic track that will keep you fully immersed throughout the film. Subtitles are also offered in English, French, and Subtitles

The Extras

The 2-disc set comes in a tri-fold digipak encased inside a clear plastic half slipcase. It looks great and is a huge upgrade over the original packaging that was a bit understated in relation to the powerful impact the film has had on the industry. The bonus options are split between the two discs.

Disc 1
The first Audio Commentary is a new track by writer Paul Schrader. The second Audio Commentary is also a newly recorded track by professor Robert Kolker who provides great insight into the film.

The first disc rounds out with the interactive script-to-film feature found on the film’s original DVD release.

Disc 2
Martin Scorsese on Taxi Driver (16:50) features a straight up interview with Scorsese waxing philosophical on everything involving the film, from nuts to bolts.

Producing Taxi Driver (9:51) offers an interview with the producer, Michael Phillips, who speaks on getting involved with the film and the business as a whole, and the trouble that went into pitching the film to studios.

God’s Lonely Man (21:40) features a couple of interviews with Shrader and Kolker as they speak on the themes of loneliness found within the film and the Bickle character.

Influence And Appreciation: Martin Scorsese Tribute (18:29) offers talks with Oliver Stone, Paul Schrader, Michael Chapman Roger Corman, Michael Phillips, Robert De Niro, and Professor Robert Kolker as they speak on their experiences and memories with Scorsese.

Taxi Driver Stories (22:08) is a piece that offers real life stories from New York City cabbies from the 70’s. They share their war stories and what it was like to live on a cabbie’s take.

Making Taxi Driver (1:10:51) is an in-depth feature that offers plenty of insight and interviews with the cast and crew of the film. While this is the same piece that was offered on the original piece, this alone could have been made the price of admission worth it.

Travis’ New York (6:14) is a great piece that gives us a glimpse of what Times Square used to be like in the 1970’s as opposed to the consumer hub it has become today. In a similar vein, Travis’ New York Locations (4:24) offers an interactive map that allows you to check out the locations from the film side by side with more current photos of the sites.

The bonus options on the second disc round out with a collection of Animated Photo Galleries, Storyboard To Film Comparisons, and Storyboards with Introduction By Martin Scorsese.

Final Thoughts

Taxi Driver – Limited Collector’s Edition is simply put, a must have for film buffs and movie fans. This set boasts a great collection of bonus options and features a more detail rich picture. Go out and get this title as soon as you can as Taxi Driver qualifies as a must see film.

- Morris Tang