Definitely not your average boxing film.'One of the best and most powerful of all films.'

The acting is impeccable, the directing is bang on, the black and white film is visually arresting, the story is engaging, and the fight scenes are realistic enough that they will have you covering your eyes on occasion.

The two films do deal with boxing of a certain calibre, but a comparison is unfair.īesides being one of Scorsese’s strongest films, “Raging Bull” often finds itself on lists of the best films of the 1980’s. This is a raw film rather than inspiring. Based on a true story, “Raging Bull” is a deeper, more complexly human film. Often compared to “Rocky”, the comparison is unfair.

The close relationship between the brothers elevates the film from a film about boxing to a film about human beings. He also underwent a physical transformation as he lost weight for the role. Joe Pesci is also wonderful as La Motta’s younger brother. The physical transformation he underwent is on a par with any in film history. De Niro was totally dedicated to his character. Even though in this film he is playing a rather despicable character he gets you to sympathize with him while he is doing horrible things. La Motta wrecks his career, gains weight, and ends up a lousy stand up comedian.ĭe Niro is a great actor. He gets involved with criminals, begins to through fights, beats his wife (Cathy Moriarty – The Bounty Hunter, Analyze That), and even attacks his own brother (Joe Pesci – Goodfellas, My Cousin Vinny). He destroys himself and those around him due to his temper. La Motta is a middleweight boxer who has a career that is on its way up at the same time his personal life is going down the toilet. Jake La Motta (Robert De Niro – Meet the Fockers, Analyze This) is a boxer with tons of psychological and sexual issues. All this plus the fact that this is one of director Martin Scorsese’s (The Departed, Shutter Island) best films, which is saying a mouthful considering he is one of our most talented living directors. This beautifully shot black-and-white film will be even clearer and crisper now that it is being released in blu-ray. Nominated for 8 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director (with 2 wins) – this film is thought of by most as a classic.

Raging bull 35th anniversary blu ray