One Martin Scorsese Movie With 93% on RT Everyone Hated Upon Release: "Previews Were Terrible"
But time puts everything in its place.
Today, Casino is considered one of Martin Scorsese's signature works, as well as a cult gangster epic. However, the path to recognition for this three-hour Mafia drama was far from smooth.
When it was released, the film, made at the height of the director's career, was met with misunderstanding and rejection by a wide audience.
Martin Scorsese Reveals the Initial Audience Reaction to 'Casino'
As Scorsese himself admitted, the initial screenings were a complete fiasco, casting doubt on the success of this spiritual successor to the legendary Goodfellas.
During the anniversary screening of the movie at the Tribeca Film Festival, the director candidly discussed the failure of the pre-release test screenings:
“The previews were terrible. They got mad at us. The first ten minutes was like an exodus from Egypt. [They were] walking down the aisle like prophets were beating them out of the theatre.
Well, to be fair, they hadn't expected… I think they were really upset by… the dark humour of it. The humour and the violence together.”
Casino does contain many brutal and graphic scenes, including beatings and characters dying in a vice – these scenes proved too much for the unprepared audience of the mid-1990s.
What Is 'Casino' About?
The sprawling saga tells the story of Sam "Ace" Rothstein, an analytical man appointed by crime bosses to manage Las Vegas's largest casino, the Tangiers.
His mission is to transform the gambling business into a profitable enterprise for the mafia. However, his perfect system crumbles under the influence of two people: his eccentric and self-destructive wife, Ginger, and his friend, Nicky, an uncontrollable and violent thug.
30 Years Later, 'Casino' Is Still One of Martin Scorsese's Most Defining Movies
Today, Casino is not perceived as a scandalous failure, but rather as a mature, confident, and masterfully crafted masterpiece by a director at the peak of his powers.
This three-hour epic showcases Scorsese's signature style: impeccable cinematography, energetic editing, a perfectly chosen soundtrack, and a narrative in which the characters' personal tragedies mirror the spirit of an entire era.
The magnetic chemistry between De Niro, Pesci, and Sharon Stone, who gives one of the best performances of her career, creates unforgettable characters whose destinies continue to captivate viewers.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Casino'?
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Casino has 79% from critics and 93% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 8.2/10.
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On Letterboxd, Casino scored 4.2/5.0.
Where to Watch 'Casino'?
Casino is available to stream on Starz, Paramount+ and Hulu.
