Key Takeaways:
– ‘Bringing Out the Dead’ is considered one of Martin Scorcese’s most underrated films despite its critical acclaim.
– The film was based on Joe Connelly’s debut novel and reunites Scorsese with screenwriter Paul Schrader.
– Despite its artistry and performances, the film failed commercially, grossing only half of its initial budget.
– Twenty-five years later, ‘Bringing Out the Dead’ is still fondly remembered and commended by those involved in its production.
– The film was recently given a 4K digital release for its 25th anniversary.
Martin Scorsese, one of America’s most iconic filmmakers, has a monarchy of renowned films to his name. From ‘Taxi Driver’ to ‘Gangs of New York’, his movies typically become cinematic gems. However, amongst these universally recognized titles, the film ‘Bringing Out the Dead’, released in 1999, often goes unnoticed.
‘Bringing Out the Dead’ was birthed through the reunion of Scorsese and screenwriter Paul Schrader, who had previously worked together on ‘Taxi Driver’. The film, inspired by Joe Connelly’s 1998 novel, delves into the dark, hectic world of New York City’s paramedics at night. The protagonist Frank, played by Nicolas Cage, grapples with haunting memories of his unsuccessful attempts to save lives while trying to maintain sanity during the nighttime mayhem.
An interesting note to mention is that Scorsese and Cage immersed themselves in the world of nighttime paramedics and emergency responders to fully understand the challenges that these individuals face. On set, Joe Connelly himself played the role of a technical advisor to aid in the accurate portrayal of the ambulance driving experience.
Despite the meticulous work invested in the film’s production, ‘Bringing Out the Dead’ was met with mediocre success at the box office, only earning approximately half of its $32 million budget. Additionally, it did not receive a single nomination at the Academy Awards, making it the only Scorsese film of the 90s to hold this record.
Years later, ‘Bringing Out the Dead’ still holds a special place in the hearts of those involved in its production. In an interview with Roger Ebert, Scorsese confessed that he had always envisioned Cage in the poignant role of Frank. Cage himself has referred to ‘Bringing Out the Dead’ as one of the greatest movies he has ever made.
Not just the lead actor, Scorsese’s longtime editor Thelma Schoonmaker defended the film, suggesting that it was ‘mismarketed’ and lamenting that it had not “gotten its due”. She went on to express her belief that the film was sold as a car chase movie rather than the tale of compassion it was meant to be.
While ‘Bringing Out the Dead’ may seem like a cinematic precursor to ‘Taxi Driver’, it stands as a unique piece in Scorsese’s collection. The director draw attention to the contrast between the violent Taxi Driver and the compassionate Frank, “Instead of killing people, our protagonist is trying to save people”.
The film recently reached a milestone, celebrating its 25th-anniversary last October and was given a 4K digital release. This brings a glimmer of hope that ‘Bringing Out the Dead’ may finally receive the recognition it deserves.
In conclusion, ‘Bringing Out the Dead’, while considered underrated, remains one of the treasures of Martin Scorsese’s career. Holding a significance to the cast and crew that transcends the conventional box office success, the film is a testament to Scorsese’s ingenuity and the enduring impact of cinema. So, if you’ve never watched ‘Bringing Out the Dead’, now would be a perfect time to appreciate this overlooked gem.
