Raging Bull is a 1980 film directed by Martin Scorsese, adapted by Paul Schrader and Mardik Martin from the memoir Raging Bull: My Story.

It stars Robert De Niro as Jake LaMotta, a temperamental and paranoid but tenacious boxer who alienates himself from his friends and family. I think this may be one of Robert De Niro’s greatest performances besides The Godfather.

Also featured in the film are Joe Pesci as Joey, La Motta’s brother and manager, and Cathy Moriarty as his abused wife. The film features supporting roles from Nicholas Colasanto (who would eventually play the character “Coach” on the TV sitcom Cheers),Theresa Saldana, and Frank Vincent, who has starred in many films directed by Martin Scorsese. After receiving mixed initial reviews, it went on to garner a high critical reputation and is now widely regarded as one of the greatest movies ever made, along with the pair’s other famed collaboration from that era, Taxi Driver (1976). It is one of three films that has been named to the National Film Registry in its first year of eligibility.

The film begins with Jake LaMotta late in his life practicing his stand-up comic routine, then flashes back to his early boxing career. Jake (De Niro) is a talented and determined fighter from the Bronx, and his brother Joey (Pesci) is his manager.

Jake slowly climbs the ladder to the top of the boxing world (due to numerous setbacks mostly involving his personal life and weight problems), and courts Vicki (Moriarty) a 15-year-old girl he meets in his neighborhood. After his first wife leaves, he starts a relationship with her which eventually leads to marriage and children.

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Raging Bull

delete reply instrumentalpavilion wrote on Sep 11, ’08 Classic…thanks.

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Sep 11, ’08 I know it’s a little violent, but it’s got great cast with wonderful acting.

delete reply instrumentalpavilion wrote on Sep 11, ’08 lauritasita said I know it’s a little violent, but it’s got great cast with wonderful acting. Agreed….excellent production.

delete reply slohomeles wrote on Sep 11, ’08 *hangs head in embarassment* um… although I think of DeNiro as an execellent actor, this is one film I never did see, but I don’t remember why. Now I’m definitely going to head out to Blockbuster and rent a copy.

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Sep 12, ’08 Michael, hi. Yes, definitely give it a shot. Maybe you didn’t see it because you don’t like boxing…but the film doesn’t always focus on that. There is a story behind it. Robert De Niro makes the film work well. So does Joe Pesci. They were very good together. Try it.

delete reply slohomeles wrote on Sep 12, ’08 Oh… I love boxing… and I finally remembered why I didn’t see the film… I was deployed overseas when it came out originally in ’80. After I was discharged, there were other responsiblities that were occupying most of my time… but better late than never.

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Sep 13, ’08 You shouldn’t have any problems finding it to either rent or buy.