Movies

Martin Scorsese’s Bold Take on Casino’s Dark Ending 30 Years Later

BBG News

Martin Scorsese, renowned in the gangster movie genre, crafted a somber and melancholic finale for his 90s mafia film “Casino”. He has firmly stood by this choice. With iconic works such as “Goodfellas” and more contemporary releases like “The Irishman”, Scorsese’s name is synonymous with gangster cinema. As a film historian, he holds great reverence for the classics, including “Scarface” and “The Public Enemy”. These films serve as inspiration for his own contributions to the genre. Additionally, Scorsese enjoys dissecting genres, a technique he utilized in “Casino”.

It’s all the same, isn’t it?

What This Means For Martin Scorsese’s Casino

Las Vegas Lost The Mobsters But Nothing Really Changed

Martin Scorsese, following the great acclaim of his earlier gangster film “Goodfellas”, took on the directorial role for “Casino”. This movie is adapted from the non-fiction book “Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas” penned by Nicholas Pileggi, who also wrote “Wiseguy”, which served as the basis for “Goodfellas”. Scorsese aimed to depict the authentic tale of the Stardust Resort and Casino, from its rise under various crime lords to its eventual downfall.

In another work titled “Casino,” he delved into a different narrative. Instead of recounting a real-life tale of a mafia man who betrayed his gang to survive, he explored the destructive impact of unchecked greed and the fallacy of limitless success. This perspective on a common theme was fresh for Scorsese, but it did not garner the same level of recognition as “Goodfellas.

In the concluding scene of Casino, Sam acknowledged he had no intention of ruining a good situation following his brief stint at the top for a few years. He found himself back at square one, while Las Vegas remained largely unchanged. The only shift was that the mobsters were no longer in charge; corporations now held power instead. As Scorsese noted, this transition might not have been significant in the grand scheme of things.

Our Take On Martin Scorsese’s Thoughts On Casino’s Ending

Martin Scorsese’s Casino Remains A Morality Tale

Goodfellas” was captivating due to its portrayal of the mafia as a close-knit clan, but when Henry Hill chose to betray his kin, it became a heart-wrenching scene. His subsequent life in witness protection felt more like a death, for he lost everything he held dear. This was indeed a sorrowful tale, yet told from the perspective of the wrongdoers. In “Casino“, the narrative advanced even further to illustrate that in the mafia sphere, everyone ultimately suffers losses.

In “The Godfather,” Vito Corleone, a highly respected figure in the underworld, was targeted and attacked by rivals despite his esteemed status. By the end of the story, Michael Corleone had lost his moral compass. In “Goodfellas,” Henry Hill sacrificed his family for self-preservation. Similarly, in “Casino,” Sam found himself losing his power and slipping into a life of limbo similar to that of Henry Hill. Despite the downfall of these characters, Scorsese shows us that power remains constant and that both the mafia and corporations view individuals as disposable; ultimately, nothing undergoes significant change.

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2025-06-07 21:17

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