Taxi Driver (1976)
Martin Scorsese's searing portrait of urban alienation, anchored by Robert De Niro's unforgettable performance as a New York City cabbie on the edge.
Taxi Driver - Movie Information
- Original Title: Taxi Driver
- Release Year: 1976
- Directed by: Martin Scorsese
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Drama
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 54m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Spanish
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 9, 1976 (Mexico - C), February 9, 1976 (United States - R), April 2, 1976 (United Kingdom - 18), October 7, 1976 (Germany - 16), June 2, 1976 (France - 12), August 5, 1976 (Australia - R 18+), March 22, 1976 (Brazil - 14), August 27, 1976 (Italy - VM14), March 10, 1977 (Spain - 18), February 17, 1989 (South Korea - 19)
- Alternative Titles: Taksojuht (EE), Taksikuski (FI), Taxikár (SK), Таксиста (RS), Taksi Şoförü (TR), Taxisjåføren (NO), Taksówkarz (PL), Taksist (HR)
- Production Companies: Italo/Judeo Productions, Bill/Phillips, Columbia Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
Taxi Driver - Plot
Suffering from insomnia, disturbed loner Travis Bickle takes a job as a New York City cabbie, haunting the streets nightly, growing increasingly detached from reality as he dreams of cleaning up the filthy city.
Taxi Driver - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the streets of New York through Travis Bickle's unsettling eyes:
On every street in every city in this country, there's a nobody who dreams of being somebody. He's a lonely forgotten man desperate to prove that he's alive.
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Taxi Driver - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Martin Scorsese
Main Cast
- Robert De Niro
- Jodie Foster
- Cybill Shepherd
- Harvey Keitel
- Peter Boyle
- Leonard Harris
- Albert Brooks
- Diahnne Abbott
- Frank Adu
- Victor Argo
Writers
- Paul Schrader
Producers
- Julia Phillips
- Michael Phillips
Taxi Driver - FAQs
What does the ending of Taxi Driver mean?
The ending is widely debated. After Travis's violent rescue of Iris, he is briefly celebrated as a hero. Many critics interpret the final scene — where Travis glimpses Betsy in his cab — as an unreliable fantasy, suggesting his psychological instability persists and the “heroic” resolution may be a dying man's delusion.
Is Travis Bickle a hero or a villain in Taxi Driver?
Travis Bickle occupies a deeply ambiguous moral space. He is simultaneously sympathetic — isolated, traumatized, and genuinely disturbed by urban decay — and dangerous, driven by violent impulses and delusional thinking. Scorsese and screenwriter Paul Schrader deliberately resist easy categorization, making him one of cinema's most complex antiheroes.
Where can you stream or watch Taxi Driver?
Taxi Driver is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and FlixFling. It can also be rented through Spectrum On Demand. Availability may vary by region; check JustWatch for the most current streaming options near you.
Is Taxi Driver based on a true story?
Taxi Driver is not based on a single true story, but screenwriter Paul Schrader drew heavily from his own experiences of isolation and depression while living in Los Angeles. The character of Travis Bickle was also partly inspired by the diary of Arthur Bremer, who shot presidential candidate George Wallace in 1972.
Who are the main actors in Taxi Driver?
Taxi Driver stars Robert De Niro as Travis Bickle, Jodie Foster as the young runaway Iris, Cybill Shepherd as the unattainable Betsy, and Harvey Keitel as the menacing pimp Sport. Peter Boyle, Leonard Harris, and Albert Brooks round out the principal supporting cast.
Did Taxi Driver win any major awards?
Taxi Driver won the Palme d'Or at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival. It received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Robert De Niro, Best Supporting Actress for Jodie Foster, and Best Original Score for Bernard Herrmann. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made.
What is the age rating for Taxi Driver?
Taxi Driver is rated R in the United States, meaning viewers under 17 require accompanying parent or adult guardian. The film contains strong violence, disturbing themes, adult language, and scenes involving the exploitation of a minor, making it strictly intended for mature audiences.
How long is Taxi Driver and when was it released?
Taxi Driver has a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It was theatrically released in the United States on February 9, 1976, followed by a UK release on April 2, 1976. The film was produced on a modest budget of approximately $1.9 million and earned over $28 million at the box office.
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