Robert De Niro: Films, Rarities & Collectibles

Robert De Niro's catalog on physical media is among the most formidable in cinema history — a continuous run of landmark performances stretching from Mean Streets (1973) and The Godfather Part II (1974) through Taxi Driver (1976), The Deer Hunter (1978), Raging Bull (1980), Once Upon a Time in America (1984), The Mission (1986), The Untouchables (1987), Goodfellas (1990), Cape Fear (1991), A Bronx Tale (1993), Heat (1995), and Casino (1995). Few actors can point to twenty years of work at that caliber. His physical preparation for roles — most famously the weight gained for Raging Bull — became a defining characteristic of a new standard in American film acting.

De Niro's VHS-era catalog rewards collectors at every level: the early Scorsese collaborations are the most prestigious and sought-after, the mid-career crime films are affordable and immensely rewatchable, and the late-90s work (Wag the Dog, Ronin, Jackie Brown) offers undervalued gems. On disc, his most important films have received exceptional treatment from Criterion, Warner, and Universal, making this catalog as strong in high definition as it is in any other format.

Career Highlights by Era

1973–1980: Mean Streets, Bang the Drum Slowly, The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver, New York New York, The Deer Hunter, Raging Bull — arguably the greatest single decade's work by any actor in film history.
1981–1991: True Confessions, The King of Comedy, Once Upon a Time in America, The Mission, Angel Heart, The Untouchables, Midnight Run, Goodfellas, Cape Fear — sustained excellence across crime, comedy, and drama.
1992–1999: This Boy's Life, Bronx Tale (also directed), A Bronx Tale, Heat, Casino, Wag the Dog, Ronin, Jackie Brown — the peak VHS-to-DVD transition years, consistently delivering first-rate work.

What to Look For at Keystone Crypt

Taxi Driver (RCA/Columbia, 1980) and Raging Bull (CBS/Fox, 1981) in original clamshell are the highest-priority VHS finds. Mean Streets and Bang the Drum Slowly appear less frequently and command collector interest. On disc, the Criterion Collection releases of Taxi Driver and Raging Bull are definitive, and the Goodfellas and Heat 4K UHD releases are among the finest catalog restorations available.