In 1978, Martin Scorsese was at a low point after New York, New York (1977) flopped and he nearly died from a cocaine overdose. In the hospital, Robert De Niro urged him to direct a boxing film he had long resisted. Scorsese finally agreed, seeing it as his last American project before moving to Europe. Many, including Scorsese, believe De Niro saved his life, with the film reviving his career and solidifying his status as a major filmmaker 🎬.