Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver arrived in 1976 and immediately changed the landscape of American independent cinema. Robert De Niro plays Travis Bickle, a lonely cabbie navigating the dark streets of New York City.
This quiz covers various details, including the Method acting techniques De Niro used, specific production choices involving color, and the film’s iconic dialogue. It also asks about the script, performances, and the lasting impact this movie left on the industry.
If you enjoy this, see what else you can learn about New Hollywood, Method acting styles, or film noir.
In which iconic 1976 film does Robert De Niro play the role of Travis Bickle?
Taxi Driver
Taxi Driver
Goodfellas
Goodfellas
The King of Comedy
The King of Comedy
Raging Bull
Raging Bull
Who directed the film ‘Taxi Driver’?
Martin Scorsese
Martin Scorsese
Paul Schrader
Paul Schrader
Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola
Brian De Palma
Brian De Palma
To prepare for his role in ‘Taxi Driver’, what specific document did Robert De Niro obtain in real life?
A commercial pilot’s license
A commercial pilot’s license
A commercial taxi driving license
A commercial taxi driving license
A private detective’s license
A private detective’s license
A license to drive a motorcycle
A license to drive a motorcycle
Which actress played the campaign worker Betsy, the object of Travis Bickle’s affection in ‘Taxi Driver’?
Albert Brooks
Albert Brooks
Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster
Cybill Shepherd
Cybill Shepherd
Harvey Keitel
Harvey Keitel
In the controversial climax of ‘Taxi Driver’, what type of weapon is primarily used by Travis Bickle in the apartment?
A fake peace treaty
A fake peace treaty
A business card
A business card
A loaded gun
A loaded gun
A stalker’s diary
A stalker’s diary
What is the origin of the famous “You talkin’ to me?” mirror scene?
It was improvised on the spot by Robert De Niro.
It was improvised on the spot by Robert De Niro.
It was written into the script by Paul Schrader.
It was written into the script by Paul Schrader.
It was added in post-production using CGI.
It was added in post-production using CGI.
The user manually triggered it with a remote control.
The user manually triggered it with a remote control.
Where does the character of Travis Bickle perform his famous mirror monologue?
A mirror in a public restroom
A mirror in a public restroom
A mirror in his own apartment
A mirror in his own apartment
A mirror in a pawn shop
A mirror in a pawn shop
A reflection in a taxi window
A reflection in a taxi window
What role does director Martin Scorsese play during a brief cameo appearance in the film?
A disgruntled husband wanting his wife killed
A disgruntled husband wanting his wife killed
A jealous stranger fantasizing about violence
A jealous stranger fantasizing about violence
A passenger being stalked by Travis
A passenger being stalked by Travis
A fellow cab driver looking for money
A fellow cab driver looking for money
Why was the color of the final blood-soaked shootout scene intentionally muted during editing?
The film was originally NC-17 rated.
The film was originally NC-17 rated.
The excessive blood and gore required reshoots to lower the rating.
The excessive blood and gore required reshoots to lower the rating.
The studio executives wanted a happy, non-violent resolution.
The studio executives wanted a happy, non-violent resolution.
The MPAA requested the color be desaturated to avoid an X rating.
The MPAA requested the color be desaturated to avoid an X rating.
What major event defines the film’s controversial ending?
A sudden suicide of the protagonist
A sudden suicide of the protagonist
A peaceful resolution with law enforcement
A peaceful resolution with law enforcement
A rescue of an underage sex worker
A rescue of an underage sex worker
A violent shootout at a brothel
A violent shootout at a brothel
What is the primary setting for the events depicted in ‘Taxi Driver’?
Chicago, 1960s
Chicago, 1960s
Boston, 1990s
Boston, 1990s
New York City, 1970s
New York City, 1970s
Los Angeles, 1980s
Los Angeles, 1980s
Which sequence in the film prompted Martin Scorsese to intentionally desaturate the red tones?
The Mirror Scene
The Mirror Scene
The Shootout Scene
The Shootout Scene
The Campaign Office Scene
The Campaign Office Scene
The Diner Scene
The Diner Scene
While preparing for the film, who helped De Niro learn the nuances of driving a cab?
A veteran cab driver who gave him tips
A veteran cab driver who gave him tips
An actual New York City cab driver license examiner
An actual New York City cab driver license examiner
A police officer who advised him on weaponry
A police officer who advised him on weaponry
An acting coach
An acting coach
What is the character Iris’s situation, portrayed by Jodie Foster?
A politician he is obsessed with supporting
A politician he is obsessed with supporting
An underage sex worker he attempts to save
An underage sex worker he attempts to save
The taxi dispatcher at the film’s start
The taxi dispatcher at the film’s start
His sister
His sister
How much detail did screenwriter Paul Schrader provide for the mirror scene in his original script?
The script featured a long, page-long dialogue for the mirror scene.
The script featured a long, page-long dialogue for the mirror scene.
The scene was originally supposed to be a dream sequence.
The scene was originally supposed to be a dream sequence.
It was written exactly as it appears in the film.
It was written exactly as it appears in the film.
The script only said “Travis talks to himself in the mirror.”
The script only said “Travis talks to himself in the mirror.”
Which physical change in Travis Bickle’s appearance occurs as he descends further into insanity?
The fake gun used in the final scenes
The fake gun used in the final scenes
The mohawk haircut Travis adopts
The mohawk haircut Travis adopts
A handwritten postcard from Travis to his parents
A handwritten postcard from Travis to his parents
The Taxi Driver’s badge
The Taxi Driver’s badge
What is the stated military background of Travis Bickle?
A retired police officer
A retired police officer
A former U.S. Marine
A former U.S. Marine
A Vietnam War veteran
A Vietnam War veteran
A former dock worker
A former dock worker
Regarding the central narrative of Travis Bickle’s journey, which moral question was a primary concern for critics of ‘Taxi Driver’?
Whether the film accurately depicted urban squalor.
Whether the film accurately depicted urban squalor.
Whether the film glorified or condemned vigilante violence.
Whether the film glorified or condemned vigilante violence.
The film’s political commentary on government corruption.
The film’s political commentary on government corruption.
The appropriateness of casting a young actress in a controversial role.
The appropriateness of casting a young actress in a controversial role.
What specifically happens in Martin Scorsese’s cameo scene in ‘Taxi Driver’?
He describes his murderous thoughts about his wife to Travis.
He describes his murderous thoughts about his wife to Travis.
He gets into a physical altercation with Travis.
He gets into a physical altercation with Travis.
He tries to hire Travis for an illegal job.
He tries to hire Travis for an illegal job.
He criticizes Travis for his driving.
He criticizes Travis for his driving.
Which major international film festival award did ‘Taxi Driver’ win in 1976?
A prestigious literary award
A prestigious literary award
The Academy Award for Best Picture
The Academy Award for Best Picture
A lifetime achievement award from the DGA
A lifetime achievement award from the DGA
The Palme d’Or at Cannes
The Palme d’Or at Cannes
What is widely considered the central theme of ‘Taxi Driver’?
The struggle for labor unions in the 1970s.
The struggle for labor unions in the 1970s.
The corruption of the American Dream.
The corruption of the American Dream.
The psychological trauma of war.
The psychological trauma of war.
Loneliness and alienation in a modern city.
Loneliness and alienation in a modern city.
Approximately how long does the film’s final, climactic shootout sequence last on screen?
10 minutes
10 minutes
3 minutes
3 minutes
7 minutes
7 minutes
5 minutes
5 minutes
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Think you know the film well? You might find more to uncover in these related topics: cinematography basics, memorable movie villains, and cult classics.
