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Is “The Departed” Scorsese’s Best Movie?

By Jim O'Brien
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 26: (from left to right) Actors Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin, director Martin Scorsese, actors Vera Farmiga, Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio attend the Warner Bros. Pictures premiere of "The Departed" at the Ziegfeld Theatre September 26, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)

So if I asked you to rank your top five Scorsese movies, where does this one rank?

On September 26th, 2006  the long-awaited Martin Scorsese movie “The Departed” finally premiered. Starring an A-list cast including Mark Wahlberg, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, and Leonardo DiCaprio, the movie was one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year. Scorsese is known for his masterful storytelling and breath-taking cinematography, and “The Departed” does not disappoint. The movie is a gripping tale of betrayal and revenge, set against the backdrop of the Boston underworld. The performances are uniformly excellent, and the film’s sleek visuals are a feast for the eyes. Overall, “The Departed” ranks among Scorsese’s best movies – it is a must-see for any fan of his work.

Leonardo DiCaprio Attends "The Departed" Japan Premiere

(Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images)

Couple of years ago Vulture did their own list of best Scorsese movies – see if you agree 

Here’s OUR LIST OF TOP FIVE SCORSESE MOVIES 

  • 1. Taxi Driver

    Taxi Driver is one of Martin Scorsese’s most iconic films. The film follows the story of Travis Bickle, a taxi driver in New York City who becomes increasingly unhinged as he witnesses the city’s dark underbelly. The film features some of Robert De Niro’s most memorable work as Bickle, and it also features Jodie Foster in one of her first major film roles.

  • 2. Raging Bull

    Raging Bull is considered by many to be Scorsese’s best film. The film is based on the true story of boxer Jake LaMotta, and it chronicles his rise to fame in the 1940s and 1950s as well as his fall from grace in the 1960s. The film features an incredible performance from Robert De Niro, who gained over 60 pounds to play LaMotta in his later years.

  • 3. Goodfellas

    Goodfellas is another classic Scorsese film that is based on a true story. The film follows the rise and fall of Henry Hill, a member of the Lucchese crime family in New York City. The film features an all-star cast that includes Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, and Joe Pesci, who gives one of his most iconic performances as the volatile Tommy DeVito.

  • 4. Casino

    Casino is another Scorsese classic that is based on a true story. The film follows the rise and fall of Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a Jewish-American gangster who is tasked with running the Tangiers casino in Las Vegas for the mob. The film features an all-star cast that includes Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone, who gives one of her most iconic performances as casino hustler Ginger McKenna.

  • 5. The Departed

    The Departed is one of Scorsese’s most recent films, and it is considered by many to be one of his best. The film is set in Boston and follows the story of two men – one a cop working undercover in the Irish mob, and the other a mole for the mob working within the police department – who are both trying to find out each other’s identity before it’s too late. The Departed features an all-star cast that includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, and Mark Wahlberg

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