Guide Note

Mean Streets was the first feature film directed and created by Martin Scorcese. Starring Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel as New York gangsters, the story was influenced by Scorcese's own experiences growing up in Little Italy. Mean Streets was the first collaboration between Scorcese and DeNiro who went on to produce many more films together.

Fast Facts

1. Released: October 2, 1973
2. Run time: 112 min
3. Budget: $500,000
4. Shooting schedule was 25 days
5. Preserved in the United States Film Registry
6. Features extensive hand-held camera shots
7. Obtaining rights to use the songs on the soundtrack took up much of the film's budget

The film follows small-time gangster Charlie (Keitel) through his struggle to keep his hot-headed friend Johnny Boy (De Niro) under control while trying to rationalize his increasingly violent lifestyle with his strict Catholic beliefs.

"You don't make up for your sins in church. You do it in the streets. You do it at home. The rest is BS and you know it."—Voice over by director Martin Scorcese