Mel Brooks names the worst movie Martin Scorsese ever made

Even the greatest filmmakers have occasional misfires. For Martin Scorsese, whose filmography includes masterpieces such as Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, The King of Comedy, Goodfellas, and Casino, the standard he set for himself was exceptionally high. Anything less than extraordinary can still be far above average, yet not quite reach his own cinematic heights.

Movies like Gangs of New York, The Color of Money, Cape Fear, and The Aviator are acclaimed in their own right, though not every viewer places them on the same pedestal as his earlier triumphs. Still, even a mid-tier Scorsese project stands well above what many directors could dream of creating.

Mel Brooks’ surprising opinion

Legendary comedian and filmmaker Mel Brooks, known for The Producers and Blazing Saddles, once revealed which Scorsese film he considered the weakest. Despite acknowledging that Scorsese had never made a truly bad movie, Brooks offered his candid perspective.

“I’m Mel Brooks,”

he joked during an interview with The AV Club, suggesting that Scorsese was sometimes celebrated even when not at his best. Brooks humorously compared the recognition Scorsese received for one of his less impressive efforts to his own Emmy wins for Mad About You.

Context and legacy

Brooks’ remarks were more playful than critical, highlighting how even an average Scorsese film remains far above industry standards. The comment underlined a shared respect between two cinematic icons, both aware of the challenges of maintaining brilliance over decades.

Author’s summary: Mel Brooks humorously pinpointed what he sees as Scorsese’s weakest film, noting that even Scorsese’s “lesser” work outshines most other directors’ best efforts.

Far Out Magazine — 2025-11-04