How Martin Scorsese Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

A closer look at the lasting mark left by Martin Scorsese—a timeline of influence.

Martin Scorsese is a highly acclaimed American filmmaker who rose to prominence during the New Hollywood era. He is celebrated for his significant contributions to cinema, evidenced by numerous prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, BAFTA Awards, Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, and Golden Globe Awards. Scorsese's impact has been further recognized through lifetime achievement awards such as the AFI Life Achievement Award and the BAFTA Fellowship. His films have been inducted into the National Film Registry for their cultural, historical, and aesthetic importance.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1917: Sam Mendes' Praise at Golden Globe Awards

In 2020, Sam Mendes praised Martin Scorsese's contribution to cinema in his acceptance speech after winning the 2020 Golden Globe Award for Best Director for '1917'.

1997: AFI Life Achievement Award

In 1997, Martin Scorsese received the AFI Life Achievement Award.

1997: Raging Bull Ranked Among Greatest American Films

In 1997, the American Film Institute ranked Raging Bull as the twenty-fourth greatest American film of all time on their AFI's 100 Years ... 100 Movies list.

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1998: AFI's Greatest American Movies List

In 1998, the American Film Institute included three of Martin Scorsese's films on their list of the greatest American movies: 'Raging Bull' at No. 24, 'Taxi Driver' at No. 47, and 'Goodfellas' at No. 94.

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2001: AFI's Heart-Pounding Movies List

In 2001, the American Film Institute placed two of Martin Scorsese's films on their list of the most heart-pounding movies in American cinema: 'Taxi Driver' at No. 22 and 'Raging Bull' at No. 51.

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January 5, 2005: Awarded French Legion of Honour

On January 5, 2005, Martin Scorsese received the French Legion of Honour in Paris, France, in recognition of his contribution to cinema.

September 11, 2007: Kennedy Center Honoree

On September 11, 2007, the Kennedy Center Honors committee named Martin Scorsese as one of the honorees for the year, recognizing his career excellence and cultural influence.

2007: Goodfellas Ranked on AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies List

In 2007, the American Film Institute moved Goodfellas to No. 92 on their AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies list (10th Anniversary Edition) and ranked it No. 2 on their list of the top 10 gangster films.

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2007: Raging Bull Ranked Fourth Greatest American Film

In 2007, the American Film Institute ranked Raging Bull as the fourth greatest American film on their AFI's 100 Years ... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) list.

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June 17, 2008: AFI's 10 Top 10 List

On June 17, 2008, the American Film Institute placed two of Martin Scorsese's films on the AFI's 10 Top 10 list: 'Raging Bull' at number one for the Sports genre and 'Goodfellas' at number two for the Gangster genre.

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January 17, 2010: Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award

On January 17, 2010, at the 67th Golden Globe Awards, Martin Scorsese received the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award.

2010: Box office gross of the Departed

The Departed, from 2006, was Scorsese's highest-grossing film until 2010's Shutter Island.

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February 12, 2012: BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award

On February 12, 2012, at the 65th British Academy Film Awards, Martin Scorsese received the BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award.

2012: Taxi Driver Influence in Bad 25 Documentary

In 2012, Spike Lee's documentary Bad 25 highlighted the influence of Taxi Driver on Michael Jackson's "Bad" short film, which was directed by Martin Scorsese.

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2013: Mean Streets Voted Seventh Greatest Film

In 2013, the staff of Entertainment Weekly voted Martin Scorsese's film 'Mean Streets' the seventh greatest film ever made.

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2016: The Wolf of Wall Street ranked among greatest motion pictures

In 2016, a BBC critics' poll ranked Martin Scorsese's "The Wolf of Wall Street" among the 100 greatest motion pictures since 2000.

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April 11, 2017: Polish Gold Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis

On April 11, 2017, Martin Scorsese was awarded the Polish Gold Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis in recognition of his contribution to Polish cinema.

2019: Guillermo del Toro on The Irishman

In 2019, Guillermo del Toro cited Martin Scorsese's ability as a director for the depiction of character development in 'The Irishman', comparable to the films of "Renoir, Bresson, Bergman, Oliveira or Kurosawa".

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2020: Sam Mendes' Praise at Golden Globe Awards

In 2020, Sam Mendes praised Martin Scorsese's contribution to cinema in his acceptance speech after winning the 2020 Golden Globe Award for Best Director for '1917'.

2021: Films Preserved in National Film Registry

As of 2021, four of Martin Scorsese's films ('Mean Streets', 'Taxi Driver', 'Raging Bull', and 'Goodfellas') have been selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry for being culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.

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2021: Martin Scorsese Institute of Global Cinematic Arts Established

In 2021, lifelong friend George Lucas and his wife Mellody Hobson, through the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation, donated to NYU to establish the Martin Scorsese Institute of Global Cinematic Arts.

May 16, 2023: Scorsese expresses eagerness to continue working

On May 16, 2023, while promoting Killers of the Flower Moon, Martin Scorsese stated his eagerness to continue telling stories, expressing that he feels he has no more time to waste.

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