Film that almost made Martin Scorsese 'stop making movies' airing on TV tonight

The 82-year-old is one of Hollywood's most respected filmmakers of all time

The film that almost made Martin Scorsese ‘stop making movies’ is airing on TV tonight (Saturday, April 12) for free across the UK.

The legendary director has made a number of cinemas biggest ever movies, including Taxi Driver, Goodfellas and The Departed.

Known for his ambitious scope and engaging characters, Scorsese is rightly regarded as one of the best ever filmmakers.

But the film that almost stopped his later masterpieces like Killers of the Flower Moon being made was Gangs of New York.

The 2002 American historical drama is set in 1863, when a long-running Catholic–Protestant feud erupts into brutal violence.

With an Irish immigrant group protesting the threat of conscription during the Civil War, the film is a lesson in how to bring history to the big screen.

The film is led by Scorsese’s frequent collaborator Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis and Cameron Diaz in a rare dramatic role.

If that wasn’t enough star power, the supporting casts boasts Jim Broadbent, John C. Reilly, Henry Thomas, Stephen Graham, Eddie Marsan, Brendan Gleeson and Liam Neeson.

With Gangs of New York’s budget coming to a staggering $100m, studio bosses weren’t happy with its $193m box office haul.

Despite that, the film holds an approval rating of 72 per cent and received 10 nominations at the 75th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Scorsese and Best Actor for Day-Lewis.

Attempting to make the film for 20 years, Scorsese was delighted when Miramax Films funded one of his many passion projects.

Sadly, Gangs of New York was heavily edited by Miramax boss Harvey Weinstein, who claimed he removed an hour from the film.

Scorsese previously told GQ: “I realized that I couldn’t work if I had to make films that way ever again.

“If that was the only way that I was able to be allowed to make films, then I’d have to stop. Because the results weren’t satisfying. It was at times extremely difficult, and I wouldn’t survive it.

“I’d be dead. And so I decided it was over, really. I just said, ‘I’m no longer making films'.”

Thankfully for cinema fanatics, Scorsese went back on his promise and is currently preparing to make another feature at the age of 82, starring The Rock.

Gangs of New York airs at 10pm on Channel 4 and channel4.com on Saturday, April 12.