Opening Credits Analysis of Taxi Driver

The opening sequence of Taxi Driver, which was directed by Martin Scorsese, is brimming with atmosphere. The credits begin with throbbing music, and then we are introduced to a smoky street, with a NY yellow cab ploughing through the smoke. It is all in slow motion, and as the taxi leaves shot, the title is revealed in yellow and black lettering, which is very similar to the top of NY cabs that say their cab number/Off Duty. After a few names have come up in the same style, then it cuts to De Niro, whose eyes are in ECU. Bernard Hermann's score of a slow jazz sax starts, and De Niro's face has flashes of red on it, which suggests he is driving. Then it cuts to a POV shot out of the cab. It is raining, and the windscreen wipers are going. Then it fades into a further shot from inside the cab. This shot is very disorientating and alien, as the outside world is blurred, ambiguous and generally bizarre. Then it cuts to another street at night with people walking by, then it cuts back to the ECU of De Niro's eyes, as he slowly scrolls sideways, with lights flashing on his face. The credits are displayed through the mindstate of Travis Bickle, who feels alienated and isolated despite the fact he comes into contact with many people. As a result of this, Scorcese has blurred the images to create a sense of confusion seen through the eyes of the character.

Posted by Michael M