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 #100 | 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

To visually achieve Jake's growing desperation and diminishing stature, Martin Scorsese shot the later boxing scenes in a larger ring.

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Goofs

When Jake LaMotta and Joey are sitting at the kitchen table, Jake tells Joey to grab a towel to hit him. When Joey picks it up Jake says "Now wrap it around your hand," but the first half of the sentence seen from behind Jake focusing on Joey, Jake's mouth is not moving.

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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 Gangs of New York (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Lonely Nights"
(1955)
Music and Lyrics by Zell Sanders (uncredited)
Performed by The Hearts
Courtesy of Dare Music, Inc.;

User Reviews

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