The last month has seen the return of Leonardo DiCaprio in two almost simultaneous films by two of the most acclaimed American film directors. Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese have both made names for themselves with countless innovative films over the past several decades. Their newest releases merit a look at what brought them to where they are today.

Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese has been hailed as one of the most masterful and innovative film directors of his time. Directing acclaimed films such as "Casino," "Taxi Driver," and "Goodfellas," Scorsese has made his name not only through his use of unusual camera and shooting techniques but through intriguing themes of religion and violence in modern society.

Scorsese grew up in Flushing, N.Y., in the 1940s. A child of Italian American parents, Scorsese suffered from debilitating asthma. Unable to play sports with other children, Scorsese spent his time in movie theaters, developing an early love for the cinema. Raised as a Catholic, Scorsese originally considered being a priest, but later changed his mind and headed to film school at New York University.

Scorsese made his first directing effort in 1963 with a nine-minute short subject entitled "What's a Nice Girl Like You Doing in a Place Like This?" He made two more short films before directing his first full length feature, "Who's That Knocking At My Door," in 1969.

After teaching at N.Y.U., Scorsese produced "Street Scenes," a documentary of the 1970 student protests opposing the American invasion of Cambodia. He moved on to several editing projects, including "Woodstock," "Medicine Ball Caravan," and "Elvis on Tour."

Scorsese produced "Mean Streets," his first acknowledged masterpiece, in 1973. The film followed the dilemmas of Charlie, a small-time hood in Little Italy too nice to succeed as a bad-debt collector. The movie was the beginning of a running working relationship between Scorsese and Robert DeNiro.

Scorsese's 1974 release "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" starred actress Ellen Burstyn, who won an Oscar for her role as a woman trying to support herself and her son after her husband's death.

In 1974 Scorsese also began work on "Taxi Driver." The famous film starred DeNiro and also Jodi Foster as a young prostitute. The film became both famous and infamous. "Taxi Driver" won the Palme d'Or at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival, bringing Scorsese wide recognition. Five years later, it inspired John Hinkley's assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan. The man had become obsessed not only with the film but with Foster herself.

"Raging Bull," Scorsese's next major hit, appeared in 1979. The film again starred DeNiro as boxer Jake LaMotta. The two also worked together on "The King of Comedy" in 1983.

Scorsese became controversial with his 1988 release "The Last Temptation of Christ." Many considered the film's portrayal of Christ's life blasphemous. The protests only boosted profits. In 1990 Scorsese returned to mob life and the streets of New York with "Goodfellas."

While many of Scorsese's films were acclaimed for his unique use of unique camera angles, voiceovers and antiheros, he produced more commercial hits as well. In 1991 at the request of Universal Pictures Scorsese produced the classic thriller "Cape Fear."

"The Age of Innocence"(1993), a sharp contrast, featured Daniel Day-Lewis and Michelle Pfieffer in an adaptation of the Edith Wharton novel.

Scorsese's most recent contributions to the world of film include "Bringing Out the Dead"(1999) and "Gangs of New York"(2002). The first stars Nicholas Cage as a mentally exhausted paramedic. "Gangs of New York" reintroduces actor Leonardo DiCaprio in another tale of New York violence, also featuring Daniel Day-Lewis in another starring role.

Scorsese initially gained fame for his innovative filming techniques. Like all truly famous directors, he has maintained his reputation through the continued quality of his films. His characters have a reality and intensity only made possible through his introspective film techniques. For example, his use of voiceovers in "Goodfellas" lets viewers see not only the events but also what goes through each character's head at crucial moments.

The sheer diversity of Scorsese's work makes the director remarkable. Few directors can successfully make hit films out of immigrant life, mob warfare, classic literature and countless other topics. Innovative and ingenious, Martin Scorsese has earned his fame as one of the best Hollywood directors.

Steven Spielberg

In Hollywood, Steven Spielberg's name is synonymous with directing and producing big budget, highly acclaimed movies.

His eclectic resume as a director, producer, screenwriter and actor has influenced all genres of the film industry from comedy to horror and science fiction to drama. Yet who could imagine that the spectacular visual effects of "Jurassic Park" might stem from a fascination with the forlorn situation of Jimmy Stewart's "It's a Wonderful Life" character, George Bailey?

"Before I go off and direct a movie I always look at four films. They tend to be: `Seven Samurai,' `Lawrence of Arabia,' `It's a Wonderful Life,' and `The Searchers,'" said Spielberg.

Spielberg's copies of those four movies have probably been replaced numerous times due to the wear and tear of constant viewing, given Spielberg's extensive directing career. Born Dec. 18, 1946, Spielberg made "Amblin'," his first short feature film, in 1969. He first earned respect as a director in 1969 with "Night Gallery," his television debut. "Duel" (1971), his first feature length film made for television, secured him the reputation of a man with unlimited potential.

In 1974, Spielberg permanently graduated to feature films with "The Sugarland Express." His next effort in 1975 changed the film industry. "Jaws" established the summer months as the most lucrative period of the year and began the shift toward big budget summer blockbusters.

Spielberg is well known for his films that use impressive special effects, such as "E.T." (1982), "Back to the Future" (1985) and "Jurassic Park" (1993). Early critics of Spielberg pointed out that his films, even the dramatic "The Color Purple" (1985), demonstrated his craftsmanship and enormous skills on screen, but failed to merge substance with style. Many pointed out that his films, though visually beautiful, were hollow at the center.

Spielberg silenced these critics in 1993 with his masterpiece "Schindler's List." This powerful true-life tale that takes place during the Holocaust was the first time that Spielberg, an American Jew, had dealt with his ethnicity on screen. The dark and wrenching film earned Spielberg his greatest accolades and two Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director.

While many are familiar with Spielberg's latest and most stunning movies, few realize that Spielberg has been behind what the children of the 80s would call "the classics." He either directed or produced "Gremlins," "American Tail," "Harry and the Hendersons," "The Land Before Time," "Honey I Shrunk the Kids," and perhaps one of the favorites of all 20-somethings, "The Goonies."

Spielberg's power in the movie industry increased when he formed DreamWorks SKG in 1993. The studio produced the blockbuster hits "Twister" (1996), "Men in Black" (1997), "Deep Impact" (1998), and "The Mask of Zorro" (1998). He returned to directing in 1997 with "Amistad," and in 1998 with the critically acclaimed "Saving Private Ryan." He recently directed "Artificial Intelligence: AI" (2001), and produced the television mini-series "Band of Brothers" (2001), which captured multiple awards.

Spielberg has featured prominently in 2002, producing "Men in Black II," "Minority Report," and "Catch Me if You Can." He received a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame in January 2003. Slated for 2005 is the next in the series of Indiana Jones movies.

In the midst of compellation of some of Spielberg's most memorable films, one cannot help but leave space for interesting and not completely pertinent trivia.

Spielberg does his best work behind the camera, but does not limit himself in terms of acting. Perhaps some would recognize the man in the electric wheelchair in "Gremlins" as Spielberg himself, though he remained uncredited for the appearance. He also featured as "Cook County Clerk" in "Blues Brothers," and "The Popcorn Eating Man" in "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" (1997). One of his latest cameos shows him directing what becomes the musical biography of Austin Powers in "Goldmember" (2001).

Spielberg's trademarks include the absent, reluctant or irresponsible father, constant references to World War II or Disney, and repeated shots of shooting stars. He has an affinity for animation that lead to the production of "Pinky and the Brain" and "Shrek." He claims Richard Dreyfuss as his alter ego, and is Drew Berrymore's godfather. The Democrat donated $100,000 to his political party in 1996. Spielberg is also an Eagle Scout. Spielberg himself seems to be as multi-faceted as the films he has produced and directed in the past four decades.

• Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg