Raging Bull (1980)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Alexander D

  
  The decision to film RAGING BULL in black and white is utterly ingenious. This film is, quite frankly, one of the only films I have seen that I cannot imagine being anything the same in color. Something about this film makes it seem so much like something straight out of the time… More
  The decision to film RAGING BULL in black and white is utterly ingenious. This film is, quite frankly, one of the only films I have seen that I cannot imagine being anything the same in color. Something about this film makes it seem so much like something straight out of the time period in which it is set. Thatâ(TM)s impressive, because this film came nearly thirty years after the last point in the story. Even the fight sequences look beautiful under this visual effect. The final fight, though far more brutal than all the others combined, uses the embellishment well. Whereas in a colorization quite a few viewers would be shielding their eyes, the black and white cinematography allows us to focus more on the poignancy of the sequence rather than the violence. Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci are the two key performing highlights of the film. De Niro portrays the furious Jake LaMotta, the filmâ(TM)s primary subject, and Pesci portrays his stubborn brother Joey. Both are magnificently developed characters, and thatâ(TM)s the least I can say. Itâ(TM)s likely that every day, Jake goes to the ring and competes with a different rival every day. He never knows his opponent, but heâ(TM)s consistently obligated, let alone paid to beat the living daylights out of him. Ironically, the one Jake seems to truly wants to pummel is Joey, who he sees seemingly every time he comes home. We begin to feel Jakeâ(TM)s life eventually, and as the heated arguments and tension build up in the film, we begin to feel our blood burning, as well. Itâ(TM)s the definition of a tour de force performance. http;//themoviefreakblog.com/review-raging-bull

• Sam B

  
  I tend not to be a fan of biopics and their often unfocused story arcs, and in keeping with that disposition, the first half of "Raging Bull" failed to fully engage me, despite the amazing performances of De Niro and Pesci. However, later on the film ends up a harrowing tale… More
  I tend not to be a fan of biopics and their often unfocused story arcs, and in keeping with that disposition, the first half of "Raging Bull" failed to fully engage me, despite the amazing performances of De Niro and Pesci. However, later on the film ends up a harrowing tale of self-destruction, where the boxing (which is perhaps the greatest spectacle in the film, with visceral cinematography and the captivating direction expected of Scorsese) is only an externalization for the fierce anger much deeper within De Niro's take on former boxer Jake La Motta. It's weird that I found myself enjoying such a prestigious classic less than much less meticulous "The Fighter" from 2010 as a whole, but trust me - the individual pieces of "Raging Bull" are explanation enough for it's legacy.

• Albert K

  
  An incredible movie. Martin Scorsese creates a character that seems cold and heartless, but relatable at the same time. A great movie with flawless acting from Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci.

• Joseph M

  
  Robert De Niro WOW. He deserved evrey award he could get for this role, the film was superb but De Niro blew me away. There is certain actors who will go down in history. De Niro will for this one film alone. Even if your not interested in the film you should watch purely for the… More
  Robert De Niro WOW. He deserved evrey award he could get for this role, the film was superb but De Niro blew me away. There is certain actors who will go down in history. De Niro will for this one film alone. Even if your not interested in the film you should watch purely for the acting. Anyway.... Raging Bull follows the story of troubled boxer Jake La motta. It not only follows his attempt for a world title shot but also follows his troubled homelife. A fantastic Character study directed by Martin Scorsese. Raging Bull is one of them films you will never forget....

• Jameson W

  
  I finally got to see this classic film and sadly, I was disappointed; I didn't like it. There were elements that I thought were excellent like the acting, direction, and cinematography (the black and white is perfect for this film), but I just never got into it. I didn't… More
  I finally got to see this classic film and sadly, I was disappointed; I didn't like it. There were elements that I thought were excellent like the acting, direction, and cinematography (the black and white is perfect for this film), but I just never got into it. I didn't really care for any of the characters and the story wasn't that interesting. I plan to see this again...it may just be one of those films that takes multiple viewings.

• Graham J

  
  What can I say, an unforgettable film experience.

• Brad W

  
  Raging Bull is one of the most intense and incredible sports films of all time, but its not really all about sports, its mostly about a man, and that man is named Jake Lomatta. The plot is based on a true story, but I was just watching his story and I realized there are few sports… More
  Raging Bull is one of the most intense and incredible sports films of all time, but its not really all about sports, its mostly about a man, and that man is named Jake Lomatta. The plot is based on a true story, but I was just watching his story and I realized there are few sports films that are as intense with the personal lives of the protagonists but this movie doesn't stray from showing us characters that are colorful and real, and I think thatsthe best kind of story, when the audience is watching a story and people who are real and we see them much differently then how we saw them before. The cast surely did their homework about their characters because they all got an A+ in my book. Robert DeNiro deserved his Oscar, he plays possibly his greatest role he has ever done and I truly loved him and he may have been the best part of the film, and Joe Pesci is always great and fun to watch. The boxing scenes are not your usual boxing scenes, they are very fast paced and quick and there even some moments that were just pure strokes of genius. My favorite sports film is Rudy, but I don't consider this much of a sports film, I consider it a dramatic work of art about a man who tried everything to be great and all he wanted was to be the best, but all he did was lose as much as he gained, and Raging Bull should be considered in the leagues as the greatest film ever, because it is just so amazing I cannot consider it anything else from perfect, this is one of Martin Scorseses masterpieces.

• Liam G

  
  Robert De Niro gives one of the greatest screen performances I've seen in Martin Scorsese's riveting drama. It is one of the best character studies I've seen and the cinematography and direction are top-notch.

• Jeff "

  
  Whenever Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro get together they always make a phenomenal film. Raging Bull is one of Scorsese's best films and is also one of the best boxing films ever made. Forget about Rocky, Ali and more recently The Fighter, this is the boxing film to watch.… More
  Whenever Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro get together they always make a phenomenal film. Raging Bull is one of Scorsese's best films and is also one of the best boxing films ever made. Forget about Rocky, Ali and more recently The Fighter, this is the boxing film to watch. Raging Bull is the true story of boxer Jake LaMotta who seeks to get a title shot against Sugar Ray Robinson. Like every Scorsese film, Scorsese is able to tell a terrific story on screen and make it interesting. For Raging Bull, he has assembled a phenomenal cast of talented actors who light up the screen in this powerful drama. Raging Bull is the best film dealing with boxing. Martin Scorsese really delivers a strong film and its one of his best. Raging Bull is an astounding character study of a conflicted individual as he seeks redemption. Scorsese tells a powerful story and De Niro delivers a stunning performance. Sure there are a lot of great boxing films out there, but for me, none has the power that Raging Bull has. This is a well crafted film with a well executed story and delivers believable drama on screen. Martin Scorsese has always made great films, but Raging Bull is one of his finest works. If you want to see one of the finest boxing films, then let it be this one. Raging Bull is a superbly well acted drama that is one unforgettable masterpiece.

• Zach B

  
  If one was to seriously think about it, there are really only two main types of films: Stories and character studies. The idea of a film being good or bad is nothing short of a state of mind. Here, this is a film that is a character study that, in all my years of viewing films, is… More
  If one was to seriously think about it, there are really only two main types of films: Stories and character studies. The idea of a film being good or bad is nothing short of a state of mind. Here, this is a film that is a character study that, in all my years of viewing films, is unlike any other I have ever seen. And it would take Martin Scorsese to create such a film. 'Raging Bull', based on the novel Raging Bull: My Story (written by Jake La Motta), is a film that is a character study and damn good one that is hard to watch. It is not because of the violence or gore (there is plenty of that), but because we are taken into a world of a man that is beyond confused to such a point that he is self destructing himself and we end up seeing the effect on the people around him. In terms of direction, Scorsese is always a magnificent pro at what he does. It was once said by a fellow film critic that "Black and white has a special quality. It's more stylized than color, more dreamy, less realistic.". Here with this film, that quote fits this so perfectly. This film, watching it, seems like a dream that you want to escape from (or brutally beat up the main character) but you do not want to because you have to see how much more farther down he will spiral. So, the black and white film used here works beyond well. His (being Scorsese's) cinematography is beyond gorgeous. The best moments are during the many bowing scenes that are littered in this film. Watching this, you would think that he would specialize in those types of camera techniques. The only problem would have to be the pasing. This is a slow film that does not pick up until the last hour or so. Now the script. I will have to say that Mardik Martin and Paul Schrader done a good job writing the script for this film to make it the film it is. Out of the film done by Scorsese, this one has one of the best scripts so, I am impressed by those two who adapted part of the novel into this film. Then we have the acting. The only two actors that I even need to mention are Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci. I mean, these guys are pro at acting, guys who give it their all. And seeing them acting as brothers in this pic, I have to admit they done a wonderful and heart-aching job and portraying the struggles the real people that they are portraying as were. Finally we have the score. To be honest, there really is not that much of a score to speak of. But, I am guessing that due to this film and how it was made, this is needed. So, overall, I say that this is a great film to watch if you are interested in seeing a great character study film and are willing to dive down into the complex hell of one man.

• Taylor R

  
  I just rewatched this after almost five years, and I was still stunned by its psychotic violence, impressed by De Niro's unbelievable performance, and absorbed by Scorsese's minimal yet pointed direction. I don't agree that this film has a redemptive quality to it.… More
  I just rewatched this after almost five years, and I was still stunned by its psychotic violence, impressed by De Niro's unbelievable performance, and absorbed by Scorsese's minimal yet pointed direction. I don't agree that this film has a redemptive quality to it. It's about a terrible man who is first unable, and then refuses, to recognize that he is the cause of his problems. Driven entirely by impulse, La Motta has nothing - not love, not trust, absolutely nothing - beyond his concern for satiating his immediate impulses. A powerful statement on evil, Scorsese's complete lack of judgment on his title character can make the film difficult to watch and understand. Still, after all these years, it's still an effective, emotionally wrenching movie.

• Sophie B

  
  Brilliantly shot and framed and I loved the ultra-stylized boxing ring fights. Fantastic and emotional performances from the cast. Boxing/fighting films aren't normally my thing but this is the best of its type. I'm not saying I'd jump at the chance to see this again,… More
  Brilliantly shot and framed and I loved the ultra-stylized boxing ring fights. Fantastic and emotional performances from the cast. Boxing/fighting films aren't normally my thing but this is the best of its type. I'm not saying I'd jump at the chance to see this again, but the way Scorsese portrays these people really is beautiful.

• Kristijonas F

  
  An uncompromising and gripping film expertly delivered by director Martin Scorsese. Robert De Niro's performance is absolutely terrifying to watch.

• Christopher A

  
  Beautifully filmed and exquisitely delivererd, Martin Scorsese's Raging Bull follows the rise and fall of Jake LaMotta. Unstoppable and somewhat poetic within the ring, dogged by jealousy and paranoia outside of it. LaMotta, played by the brilliant Robert De Niro is someone… More
  Beautifully filmed and exquisitely delivererd, Martin Scorsese's Raging Bull follows the rise and fall of Jake LaMotta. Unstoppable and somewhat poetic within the ring, dogged by jealousy and paranoia outside of it. LaMotta, played by the brilliant Robert De Niro is someone that you really want to root for but we are constantly prevented from fully committing as LaMotta hits self destruct on his personal life and ultimtely his boxing career. Unmissable. "Who's an animal? Your mother's an animal, ya son of a bitch. "

• Jennifer D

  
  As a character I could not stand Jake LaMotta. Just throwing that out there. I wanted to ram him with a car. And the story was meh. To me. I don't like boxing stories. Or sports in general. However, De Niro and Pesci were brilliant. And it was shot gorgeously. And the Psycho-ish… More
  As a character I could not stand Jake LaMotta. Just throwing that out there. I wanted to ram him with a car. And the story was meh. To me. I don't like boxing stories. Or sports in general. However, De Niro and Pesci were brilliant. And it was shot gorgeously. And the Psycho-ish fight scene was awwwwesome even if it was cringe-worthy.

• Antony S

  
  Astonishing and uncomprosiming, expect not to take to this first time round, but persevere (as I did), and you'll find an incredible central performance and remarkable direction. NOT a sports movie, and thank god for that. No easy answers this time, such as it was with De Niro… More
  Astonishing and uncomprosiming, expect not to take to this first time round, but persevere (as I did), and you'll find an incredible central performance and remarkable direction. NOT a sports movie, and thank god for that. No easy answers this time, such as it was with De Niro back in the day... a masterpiece by all accounts, the like of which we probably won't see again. Marvel at the power of the 'La Motta takes a fall' bout; impossible to convey in any other medium, perfect cinema.

• Thomas B

  
  Not as accessible as Scorcese movies usually are but incredible nonetheless. Full review later.

• xGary X

  
  Martin Scorsese certainly doesn't pull any punches in this biopic of fighter Jake LaMotta that's as brutal and uncompromising as the man himself. Although Scorsese's favourite subject matter of the American gangster is strictly confined to the sidelines for this film,… More
  Martin Scorsese certainly doesn't pull any punches in this biopic of fighter Jake LaMotta that's as brutal and uncompromising as the man himself. Although Scorsese's favourite subject matter of the American gangster is strictly confined to the sidelines for this film, it shares the familiar themes of men of violence whose behaviour is governed by testosterone and ignorance and their whole lives ruled by ego and the unshakable need to be the "alpha male". LaMotta, although himself a consultant to the film, is shown to be a thoroughly unlikable individual; a selfish, immature, paranoid bully who is completely incapable of an adult relationship which is no doubt a side effect of his ferocious talent in the ring. Scorsese shows boxing not as a glamorous sport, but one of ugly brutality stained with sprays of sweat and spurts of blood photographed in a style that is grittily factual yet strangely beautiful; this duality is highlighted particularly effectively in his final fight with Sugar Ray Robinson and during his incarceration for corrupting a minor. The centrepiece of the film is no doubt DeNiro's stunningly believable performance as LaMotta, with strong support from Joe Pesci although I did find Cathy Moriarty a little wooden. Your enjoyment of the film may well hinge on your ability to relate to such an unpleasant central character but it is a powerful indictment on the excess and emptiness of the pursuit of the American dream and certainly the best boxing film ever made.

• Lewis C

  
  This is just a place-holder review. I've been told that Raging Bull is a movie that should be seen multiple times, and after my first viewing, I agree. So I'll give it a proper review one day, after I've watched it enough times to be comfortable with my opinions of it.

• Tim S

  
  Another Scorsese masterpiece and also one of the great boxing movies.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings