Raging Bull (1980)

Director:

Martin Scorsese

Writers:

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

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:

Violence | Paranoia | Boxing | Rage | Boxer

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 19 wins & 16 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

Runtime:

129 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Portugal:M/16 | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Australia:M | Australia:MA (DVD rating) | Iceland:16 | South Korea:15 | Brazil:16 | Philippines:R-18 | Spain:18 (1st DVD Edition) | New Zealand:R18 | 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 (certificate #26171) | West Germany:16 (bw)

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

United Artists

Trivia:

Although only a few minutes of boxing appear in the movie, they were so precisely choreographed that they took six weeks to film.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Jake is in the phone booth towards the end of the movie saying that he wouldn't be able to raise the $10,000 that he needed, his lips aren't moving.

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 "Help Me Help You: Raging Bill (#1.7)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Turi Giuliano

It doesn't get much better than this

Easily one of the most powerful films I have ever seen. I have watched it at least ten times, and it only gets better and better with each viewing. Martin Scorsese is absolutely the greatest filmmaker of the last quarter century, and this film is his best. The story of how boxer Jake LaMotta watched his career and marriage crumble under the weight of his violent temper and deep-rooted misogyny is told with no punches pulled (excuse the bad pun), as Deniro (in what may be his best performance) and Scorsese unflinchingly explore what drove this man over the edge, and what ultimately may have pulled him back. The boxing scenes easily rank with the most brutal and violent moments ever put on film, shot in stark, unadorned black and white and utilizing unlikely sounds including shattering windows and animal cries to great effect. Thelma Schoonmaker's jarring, discordant editing in these scenes also deserves special mention. The scenes of domestic violence are not for the faint of heart, but there is really no other way to tell this story. If there is a more perfect exploration of why as men we act the way we do, then I'd love to see it, because this movie made me re-evaluate my life. 10/10