Who's That Knocking at My Door

Who's That Knocking at My Door is a 1967 American independent film written and directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Harvey Keitel and Zina Bethune. The film was Scorsese's feature film debut and premiered at the Chicago International Film Festival. It was also screened at the New York Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival. The movie is a product of the New Hollywood movement, which included other notable directors such as Francis Ford Coppola, Brian De Palma, and Steven Spielberg.

Plot

The film tells the story of a young Italian-American man, played by Harvey Keitel, who struggles with his faith and his relationships with women, particularly his girlfriend, played by Zina Bethune. The movie explores themes of Catholicism, guilt, and redemption, all set against the backdrop of New York City's Little Italy. The protagonist's journey is influenced by the works of Graham Greene and François Truffaut, and the film's cinematography is reminiscent of the French New Wave. The story is also comparable to other coming-of-age films, such as The 400 Blows and Rebel Without a Cause, directed by Truffaut and Nicholas Ray, respectively.

Production

The film was produced by Joseph Brenner and Haig Manoogian, and shot on location in New York City's Little Italy and Greenwich Village. The production team included Thelma Schoonmaker as the editor, who would go on to work with Scorsese on many of his future films, including Raging Bull and Goodfellas. The cinematography was handled by Richard H. Kline and Michael Wadleigh, who also worked on other notable films, such as The Andromeda Strain and Woodstock. The film's score was composed by Richard H. Kline, and the movie features music by The Kinks and The Rolling Stones.

Release

The film was released in 1967 and premiered at the Chicago International Film Festival, where it received critical acclaim. It was also screened at the New York Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival, and was distributed by Joseph Brenner Associates. The movie was well-received by critics, with many praising Scorsese's direction and the performances of the cast, including Harvey Keitel and Zina Bethune. The film's success can be attributed to the support of other notable filmmakers, such as John Cassavetes and Shirley Clarke, who were also part of the New American Cinema movement.

Reception

The film received positive reviews from critics, with many praising its originality and the performances of the cast. The movie holds a high rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has been praised by critics such as Roger Ebert and Pauline Kael. The film's success can be attributed to its unique blend of Catholicism and existentialism, which sets it apart from other films of the time. The movie has also been compared to other notable films, such as The Seventh Seal and The 400 Blows, directed by Ingmar Bergman and François Truffaut, respectively.

Themes

The film explores several themes, including Catholicism, guilt, and redemption. The protagonist's struggle with his faith is a central theme of the movie, and is influenced by the works of Graham Greene and François Mauriac. The film also explores the theme of masculinity, particularly in the context of Italian-American culture. The movie's use of symbolism and imagery adds to its themes, and has been praised by critics such as Andrew Sarris and Stanley Kauffmann. The film's exploration of themes is comparable to other notable films, such as The Godfather and Mean Streets, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese, respectively. Category:1967 films