Cannes Film Festival: 20 Best Palme D'Or Winners Ever

Taking influence from the John Ford classic The Searchers, Martin Scorsese and screenwriter Paul Schrader teamed-up to create Taxi Driver, an uncomfortably gritty thriller about a cab driver and war veteran (Robert De Niro) who loses his grip on reality.

Unrelentingly bleak and rich with social commentary, the film is essentially one great character study, following Travis Bickle as his mental state deteriorates and he attempts to crusade against New York's seedy corruption by saving a young prostitute (Jodie Foster) from the world around her.

Anchored by a phenomenal De Niro performance and Scorsese's unflinching directing style, Taxi Driver remains a topical and essential touchstone in the history of modern cinema, and one of Scorsese's greatest movies to boot.

Like many Palme d'Or winners, the film has aged like fine wine, and will continue to be revisited and re-evaluated for years to come. From its grimy opening sequence to Bickle's bloodsoaked send-off, it really is a vital viewing experience no one should miss.