Almost a year ago, we shared a list of 85 films that Martin Scorsese marked as essential to learn everything you need to know about cinema. Seeing as Scorsese is not only one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, but a walking encyclopedia of cinematic knowledge, it would be more than fair to say that the list, as well as the director's insight into each film constitutes some of the best and most inexpensive film education available. Inspired by the list, Flavorwire compiled audio clips of Scorsese referencing said films and put together an almost 30-minute crash course on film.

The video, dubbed The Martin Scorsese Film School, offers many great lessons on film history, film theory, and film production. According to the Flavorwire article, the video includes clips from films mentioned in the "Scorsese 85", along with audio clips (when possible) from Scorsese's documentaries A Personal Journey With Martin Scorsese Through American Movies and My Voyage to Italy.

Scorsese touches on cinema's role in society, politics, and the human experience in short vignettes for each film. For example, he explains why certain films were so important historically -- how gangster films transitioned into film noir at the end of Prohibition, how villainous "gangsters" turned into villainous "corporations" after WWII, and how McCarthyism and the Second Red Scare inspired many cinematic themes. You'll also learn a great deal about what influenced and continues to influence Scorsese himself. He references many types of films and filmmakers, from the stylized cinematography of Orson Welles to the deeply personal films of John Cassavetes.

Check out The Martin Scorsese Film School below -- it's an excellent springboard for further study. And if you haven't already, explore his list of 85 essential films -- find them, watch them, and study them. A short video essay can only teach you so much, ya know!

What do you think about Scorsese's list of essential films? What area of cinema would you like to learn more about? Let us know in the comments below.

Link: Video Essay: “The Martin Scorsese Film School” -- Flavorwire

[via Mentorless]