Raging Bull (1980)

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.

Director:

Martin Scorsese

Writers:

Jake LaMotta (based on the book by), Joseph Carter (with),

Stars:

Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci

Top 250 #99 | Won 2 Oscars. Another 26 wins & 19 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert De Niro	...	Jake La Motta
Cathy Moriarty	...	Vickie La Motta
Joe Pesci	...	Joey
Frank Vincent	...	Salvy
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 - Man with Como
Don Dunphy	...	Himself - Radio Announcer for Dauthuille Fight
Bill Hanrahan	...	Eddie Eagan
Rita Bennett	...	Emma - Miss 48's

Storyline

When Jake LaMotta steps into a boxing ring and obliterates his opponent, he's a prizefighter. But when he treats his family and friends the same way, he's a ticking time bomb, ready to go off at any moment. Though LaMotta wants his family's love, something always seems to come between them. Perhaps it's his violent bouts of paranoia and jealousy. This kind of rage helped make him a champ, but in real life, he winds up in the ring alone.

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Plot Keywords:

jealousy | boxing | rage | paranoia | violence | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Sport

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 December 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Raging Bull

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$13,568 (USA) (28 January 2005)

Gross:

$45,250 (USA) (11 February 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

United Artists, Chartoff-Winkler Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Actor John Turturro makes his film debut as the man at table at Webster Hall. Both Turturro and Robert De Niro have played characters named Billy Sunday. De Niro as Master Chief Leslie W. 'Billy' Sunday in Men of Honor, and Turturro as Coach Billy Sunday in He Got Game.

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Goofs

In the entrance to the last fight as Jake LaMotta makes his way to the ring you can hear the ring announcer but as Jake passes the bottom of the ring the announcer has his hand by his side holding the microphone, therefore not able to be broadcasting.

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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... Though I'd rather hear you cheer / When you delve... Though I'd rather hear you cheer / When I delve into Shakespeare / "A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in The Mighty Boosh: Killeroo (2004)

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Soundtracks

"My Reverie"
(1938)
Music and Lyrics by Larry Clinton (uncredited)
(Based on "Rêverie" by Claude Debussy (uncredited) (1880))
Performed by Larry Clinton and His Orchestra
Courtesy of RCA Records

User Reviews

The most important "boxing-movie" of all times

Jake La Motta's story is no doubt the best movie about boxing of all times together with Robert Wise's The Set-Up. Besides the legendary performance of Robert De Niro, there are many things in this film that will remain in my heart forever: the splendid black & white, the contrast between the slow moving scenes and the frenetic ones, the choice of the music and the sense of loss which entangles the whole movie. De Niro faces another "born loser" role (after Travis Bickle, John Rubin, Johnny Boy) and strikes again; Martin Scorsese is the most poetic director of the last 30 years.