Raging Bull (1980)

Director:

Martin Scorsese

Writers:

Jake LaMotta (book) and
Joseph Carter (book) ...

Release Date:

19 December 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Sport

Plot:

An emotionally self-destructive boxer's journey through life, as the violence and temper that leads him to the top in the ring, destroys his life outside it.

Plot Keywords:

Telephone | Black & White To Color | Wrath | Disturbing | Violent Movie

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 19 wins & 16 nominations

Cast

Robert De Niro	...	Jake La Motta
Cathy Moriarty	...	Vickie Thailer
Joe Pesci	...	Joey La Motta
Frank Vincent	...	Salvy Batts
Nicholas Colasanto	...	Tommy Como
Theresa Saldana	...	Lenore
Mario Gallo	...	Mario
Frank Adonis	...	Patsy
Joseph Bono	...	Guido
Frank Topham	...	Toppy
Lori Anne Flax	...	Irma
Charles Scorsese	...	Charlie
Don Dunphy	...	Himself
Bill Hanrahan	...	Eddie Eagan
Rita Bennett	...	Emma

Runtime:

129 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Portugal:M/16 | Iceland:16 | Australia:M (original rating) | Philippines:R-18 | South Korea:15 | Spain:18 (1st DVD Edition) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Australia:MA (DVD rating) | Brazil:16 | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Argentina:18 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Chile:18 | Denmark:15 (DVD rating) | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Israel:16 | Italy:VM14 | Netherlands:16 | Norway:18 | Singapore:NC-16 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 (re-rating) (2000) | UK:18 (video rating) (1986) | UK:X (original rating) | USA:R | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Culver Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Chartoff-Winkler Productions

Trivia:

'Nicholas Colasonto' 's character, Tommy Como, is based on the real-life mobster Frankie Carbo, who basically ran all boxing in New York City during the 1940s and '50s. He eventually was sent to prison for conspiracy and extortion after being prosecuted by U.S. Attorney General Bobby Kennedy.

Goofs:

Continuity: when Jake is in the bathroom pouring ice water down his pants, the bruise on his eye has disappeared

Quotes:

[first lines]
Jake La Motta: I remember those cheers / They still ring in my ears / After years, they remain in my thoughts. / Go to one night / I took off my robe, and what'd I do? I forgot to wear shorts. / I recall every fall / Every hook, every jab / The worst way a guy can get rid of his flab. / As you know, my life wasn't drab. / Though I'd much...
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Martin Scorsese, l'émotion par la musique (2005)

Soundtrack:

Prisoner of Love

Another Scorsese masterpiece!

Raging Bull is one of Martin Scorsese's best films and with out a doubt the best film of the 80's. It follows the career of middleweight boxing champion Jake LaMotta as his career progresses but his emotional problems worsen.

The most notable feature in Raging Bull is the colour. All but the home Video footage is shot in black and white. This was a huge risk on Scorsase's part but it defiantly pays off, the film wouldn't feel the same had it been done in colour.

Throughout the entire film acting is simply impeccable. De Niro and Pesci are both stunning. The script is amazing, you really feel like you understand every character, none of their actions seem out of character no matter how outrageous they may be.

Scorsese's directing is stunning. He really is a very talented director and in Raging Bull it shows. The fight scenes are famous for their brutal realism and it's easy to see why. He puts you right in the ring with the fighters and you cant help but admire their technical brilliance. However, the most stunning aspect of all is Thelma Schoonmaker's editing. Its some of the best editing I've ever seen especially during the fight scenes where it's positively breathtaking.

No matter what happens you always find yourself sympathising with La Motta, even during his most outrageous moments. Not only is Raging Bull the greatest film to come out of the 80's but is one of the greatest this century that's highly underrated and defiantly worth owning.

10 out of 10