Travis (Robert DeNiro) has been driving a taxi in New York for a living since he returned from the Vietnam War. He was somewhat lost after the war, and the various crimes he witnessed in New York at night while driving a taxi made him cynical and hate society. After failing to pursue Bessie, the secretary of the presidential candidate Palantine's campaign office, Travis decided to assassinate Palantine to prove himself. While preparing for the assassination, Travis met Iris, a young prostitute who was forced into prostitution. After failing to save Iris from the fire pit, Travis broke into the brothel with weapons and killed everyone inside! He thought he was about to be punished by law, but the media described Travis as a hero who saved the girl...