Martin Scorsese: 'I felt very comfortable with the hippies' – how he experienced Woodstock from the inside

Filmmaker Martin Scorsese has shared his reflections on his time at the 1969 Woodstock Festival, an experience that occurred as he was beginning to establish his career in cinema. Working with editor Thelma Schoonmaker, who would become a crucial collaborator, Scorsese was part of the crew documenting the iconic event.

Despite not identifying as a hippie, Scorsese stated he felt comfortable among them, perceiving them as kind and supportive individuals. His recollections are featured in the documentary series "Mr. Scorsese," directed by Rebecca Miller, which explores the cultural climate of the 1960s and the impact of the Vietnam War.

Scorsese described the intense experience of filming over three sleepless days amidst cameras, mud, and half a million people. He recounted how fatigue altered his perception, leading him to believe the crowd was advancing on the stage, a moment some mistook for drug influence, which he denied. What most struck him was the sense of community and the lack of tragedy despite limited resources and difficult conditions.

The editing process for the Woodstock film, undertaken with Schoonmaker, involved synchronizing performances, crowd scenes, and candid moments. Scorsese's work on sequences like Santana's performance, characterized by split screens and fast-paced editing, demonstrated a visual style that would later become a hallmark of his acclaimed films such as "Goodfellas," "Casino," and "The Wolf of Wall Street."

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With the hippies, I felt very comfortable.