Did You Know These 10 Things About ‘The Departed’?

When ‘The Departed’ premiered in 2006, it quickly became one of Martin Scorsese’s most acclaimed films. The crime thriller, set in Boston, told a gripping story of moles within the Massachusetts State Police and the Irish mob, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon leading the cast. Featuring powerhouse performances from Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, and Martin Sheen, the movie combined tense action with psychological drama.

The film not only thrilled audiences but also finally earned Scorsese his long-awaited Academy Award for Best Director. It went on to win Best Picture and solidified its place as one of the greatest crime dramas of the 21st century. Behind the tense twists and shocking finale, there are plenty of fascinating details that shaped its creation. Here are ten things you might not know about ‘The Departed’.

It Was Based on a Hong Kong Film

‘The Departed’ was a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong thriller ‘Infernal Affairs.’ The original film featured a similar plot about an undercover cop and a mole inside the police force.

Scorsese and the writers adapted the story to fit Boston’s Irish mob scene, giving it a distinct American identity. The cultural shift helped the remake stand on its own while honoring its source material.

Martin Scorsese Initially Avoided Watching ‘Infernal Affairs’

Scorsese didn’t watch ‘Infernal Affairs’ before directing because he wanted to approach the material fresh. He relied on the adapted script rather than the original film’s visuals or tone.

After completing ‘The Departed,’ he eventually saw ‘Infernal Affairs’ and praised it, though his film ended up being much longer and more complex in structure.

Jack Nicholson Added His Own Touches

Jack Nicholson, who played mob boss Frank Costello, contributed heavily to his character’s development. He improvised many lines and even suggested darker elements, like carrying a severed hand in one scene.

Nicholson wanted Costello to feel unpredictable and terrifying, ensuring the character stood out as one of the most chilling villains in Scorsese’s filmography.

The Boston Setting Was Authentic

Much of the film was shot on location in Boston, using real neighborhoods, police stations, and landmarks. This authenticity grounded the story in the city’s gritty atmosphere.

The Irish mob’s influence in Boston also inspired the characters and plot, tying the film closely to real-world organized crime.

Mark Wahlberg Earned an Oscar Nomination

Mark Wahlberg played Sergeant Dignam, a sharp-tongued officer with some of the film’s most memorable lines. His performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Wahlberg’s Boston roots gave his portrayal extra authenticity, and his character provided both humor and intensity in critical moments.

The Movie Finally Won Scorsese an Oscar

Despite directing classics like ‘Taxi Driver’ and ‘Goodfellas,’ Martin Scorsese hadn’t won an Academy Award before ‘The Departed.’ The film changed that, earning him Best Director at last.

The movie also won Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Editing, cementing its legacy as a major success for Scorsese and his collaborators.

The Rat at the End Was Symbolic

In the final shot, a rat scurries across a balcony railing, symbolizing betrayal and corruption. While some critics found the image too obvious, it became one of the film’s most talked-about moments.

The rat tied directly into the film’s theme of hidden informants and the idea that no one in the story was truly innocent.

Leonardo DiCaprio’s Role Was Physically Demanding

Leonardo DiCaprio, playing Billy Costigan, threw himself into the role of an undercover cop under immense pressure. He studied with law enforcement professionals to understand the psychological toll of deep-cover work.

His intense performance was widely praised, though he was not nominated for an Oscar for this film due to competing with another of his 2006 movies, ‘Blood Diamond.’

The Film Was Almost Four Hours Long

The original cut of ‘The Departed’ was nearly four hours. Scorsese and his editor, Thelma Schoonmaker, worked to trim it down without losing key elements of tension and character development.

The final runtime of just over two and a half hours kept the pacing sharp while still delivering a complex, layered story.

A Sequel Was Considered but Never Happened

There were early talks of making a sequel, focusing on surviving characters and continuing the story of corruption and organized crime. However, the deaths of key characters in the film made this difficult.

Ultimately, the sequel was shelved, leaving ‘The Departed’ as a standalone story. Its shocking ending remains one of the most memorable conclusions in modern cinema.

What fact about ‘The Departed’ did you find the most surprising? Share your thoughts in the comments!