Blu-ray Release: Taxi Driver

Today, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is releasing a 35th anniversary edition of director Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver on Blu-ray.  Originally released in 1976, Scorsese’s gritty psychological thriller continues to challenge viewers with its unflinching portrait of mentally unstable New York taxi driver, Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro), and his eventual obsession to save a young prostitute, (Jodie Foster).

After 35 years, Taxi Driver remains a disturbing and brilliant look at the world seen through the eyes of one of the most complex characters of all time.  De Niro is fascinating and unsettling in equal measure as Travis Bickle, but he never loses his tight grip on the character or performance.  The film quietly unfolds with an unflinching sense of suspense, and it remains one of the best and most influential collaborations between Scorsese & De Niro.

The Blu-ray is packed with bonus material, including the original 1986 commentary with Scorsese & writer Paul Schrader, a ‘making of’ documentary, as well as numerous featurettes.  The set comes nicely packaged with 12 pictures from the film.

Taxi Driver is 114 minutes and rated 18A.

-John C.