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Released under many different titles, "Who's That Knocking at My Door" is an energetic, if muddled directorial debut from the great Martin Scorsese. Like George Lucas' "American Graffiti," the autobiographical elements were ripped from the young director's life growing up in the tenements of New York's Little Italy. However, the only difference between the two movies is completely different styles of filmmaking. While Lucas' film is a nostalgic, colorful look into the lives of high school graduates, "Who's That Knocking" is the polar opposite with its grainy, black-and-white photography and free-wheeling direction. In his film debut, Harvey Keitel's working class J.R. is the archetypal Scorsese protagonist. Concepts of machismo, religious guilt and unable to conform in regular society would be the future characteristics that would pop up in his later films. Keitel's sudden encounter with a high-class, educated woman (Zina Bethune) puts his character in a life-changing dilemma. Will he continue to hang out with his neighborhood buddies? Or will he develop a long-term relationship with the statuesque blonde? Filmed over a period of several years, the making of "Who's That Knocking" is kind of an interesting story all its own. Working from student films to a legitimate feature film is such a daunting task for the young Scorsese. You've got to remember "Easy Rider" wasn't released yet and the New Hollywood revolution was just around the corner. After the film's world premiere, Scorsese was able to find a distributor on one condition that a sex scene be added as a selling point. This wasn't just some ordinary sex scene, but it is a hell of a scene to watch. Shot on location in Amsterdam with a noticeably older Keitel, Scorsese and long-time editor Thelma Schoonmaker were able to create a technically beautiful montage set to The Doors' epic song "The End." While watching this scene progress before my eyes, I am so glad that Scorsese agreed to do the sex scene because it blends with the film so well. "Who's That Knocking at My Door" is not a well-polished debut film, but there's more to come from Uncle Marty.Read full review
I bought this film after seeing it with a friend who was studying film making. We were watching scorsese films. Scorsese intended this film to be part one of Mean Streets but it wasn't released that way after all. Keitel goes on to Star with Robert Deniro in Mean Streets. "Who's that knocking at my door" is an interesting and sad little love story set in NYC 1968. It is interesting to see the attitudes toward women and pre-martial sex. Some the scenes are so beautifully filmed. Harvey Keitel was very very handsome as a young man. The acting in the film is very good. It won an award at a film festival. This is a must see for Harvey and Scorsese fans.
A great debut by Martin Scorsese and Harvey Keitel as well. This is one worth checking out!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Enjoyed this film. Better then I thought
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
UNUSUAL FILM...BUT GREAT FOR ANYONES MOVIE COLLECTION. I ENJOYED THE STORY OF THEFILM. GREAT ACTING.
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