Okay, if a thread like this already exists, just close this one, but if it is more than a year old, I think a fresh one is merited as some search engines don't go back that far (or someone doesn't have time to wade through all threads that contain the names Scorsese or Coppola).

I picked these two because they are both filmmakers who made a big impact on the 70s film scene, and are also both noted for making gangster movies, Scorsese more in actual number.

I feel they are both great, but Scorsese seems to still know how to deliver the goods in a movie overall. Coppola was good in his time, but aside from 1992's Dracula I can't really think of anything he's made since Apocalypse Now that really leaves an impact, and Dracula was more for pure entertainment value over quality.

P.S. Could someone please take care of my spelling mistake in the thread title? Thanks!

Scorsese, easily.

Coppola in Godfather, Godfather Part II, and Apocalypse Now showed that he was damn good at bring an epic quality of depth in storytelling to his work. His last GREAT film was AN. After that.....not much really shook up cinema like he was known to by his filmmaking.

Scorsese changed cinema w/ Taxi Driver (not to say that Mean Streets didn't but...it was a damn fine film too). Essentially shaking American filmmaking and throwing it into an ugly corner. Therfore making us look at things differently. Let's go w/ Raging Bull well damn this film made us look at a person we didn't shart much with but who had it all and lost it. ETC ETC....Scorsese is, at least to me, more balanced in his work than most filmmakers. Spielberg has had his hiccups but I've yet to see what I'd consider a BAD film by him. BUT Gangs of NY to me was as epic as he's probably ever going to be seen to do again. I liked it but....c'mon. Day-Lewis totally was ruling that thing called acting. The only man to match him in that one was Neeson. DiCaprio and ESPECIALLY Diaz couldn't go to his level of acting. Also the 3rd act is much weaker than the rest. I like it. BUT it's strength is totally depleted after that awesome intro w/ Day-Lewis and Neeson. That wa tooo hard to follow up on.

Coppola cannot be denied as a giant in filmmaking (GF1, GF2, Apocalypse Now, and The Conversation are four MAMMOTH achievements in movies) but Scorsese has been more consistent and even when he stumbles (Cape Fear), he stumbles while still skirting with greatness.

Coppola is epic and sprawling, even in a small character piece. Scorsese is hard-hitting and personal, even in a grand sprawling epic.

Coppola is DC, Scorsese is Marvel.

I love both. I give the edge to Scorsese in terms of Quality over Volume.

I've yet to see The Conversation. I hate myself for it. Possibly CC puts it on Blu...i hope.

I do agree that when Marty stumbles you still enjoy it. When Coppola stumbles it's usually the whole thing and you just don't like it anymore.

This is too easy to answer... Scorsese, hand's down.

Coppola was better at his peak -- Godfather through Apocalypse Now -- but Scorsese has a better over-all filmography.

GoodFellas > One from the Heart

Marty

Couldn't have said it better.

This isn't even a contest, IMO

Both were prolific giants during the 70's making masterpieces.

Coppola hasn't mattered or done anything worthwhile in over 20 years.

But, look at Scorsese's output in the 80's, during the 90's, and into the 21st century. Still going strong.

Scorsese, hands down.

Bob's best friend and mine Marty!

I had a hunch Scorsese would get the edge, but I never guessed by this much!

Scorsese by a wide margin

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Oh please, Rumble Fish is nowhere near shit; Jack is complete shit.

I like them both equally; they are peers but not interchangeable in style.

Scorsese didn't direct the Godfather III so he wins by default.

Just in case you guys didn't see this:

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Wow I thought this poll would be a wee bit closer. Yikes

At least Coppola owned the 70's.

Shit. I just saw the poll. Guess we like Scorsese a lot.

I agree. Scorscese didn't do Jack. So he wins.

Scor-sez-ee

Coppola peaked higher but Scorsese is more consistent... still i look at a director by the heights they reached and that is why i choose Coppola. Plus for his more mythical eye.

Dammit! I had a two-paragraph commentary on Scorsese that got lost when the page didn't load. Too lazy to re-write it all, but the two points were these: 1) He's responsible, IMHO, for helping DiCaprio transition from "movie star" to "actor" and 2) I respect his obvious passion for the medium. Scorsese could easily be one of the all-time great film historians or critics, in addition to being a filmmaker. I think that passion is why his films continue to be engaging.

I voted for Coppola. Scorsese has an impressive filmography, but only three films that I truly love:

Goodfellas
Casino
King of Comedy

While Coppola has five that I love:

Godfather
Godfather, Part II
The Conversation (great film)
Apocalypse Now
The Outsiders

As for Coppola not being relevant for twenty+ years, I don't give a shit. Billy Wilder hasn't been relevant in half a century. Doesn't mean he's not a great director. Coppola's greatness was front-loaded, no big deal.

Scorsese by a long shot. Not to say I don't love me some old school Capolla, but Scorsese has just been more consistent in churning out memorable movies over the last thirty years. Add hat to the fact he too was a integral part of 70s cinema, and its not much of a contest, despite Copolla's big three achievements.