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Amazon.co.uk Review
The high-point in the long fruitful partnership of Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, and widely reckoned one of the finest films of the 1980s, Raging Bull still looks like a contender. Based on the ghosted autobiography of 1940s boxing champion Jake La Motta, it's the most searing, intense and often painful to watch of Scorsese's explorations into the nature of masculinity and macho values. The rise of La Motta, the taut, cocky young fighting machine from the Bronx, is bookended by the scenes in which, as a paunchy, bloated has-been 20 years later, he's reduced to acting out self-pitying monologues in a tawdry Manhattan nightclub. The film is shot in crystalline black-and-white, masterfully framed and lit by Michael Chapman, partly as passionate movie-buff Scorsese's response to the way in which classic colour films were at this time being allowed to deteriorate into pinky-mauve travesties of their original rich tones.
Making their starring debuts, Joe Pesci as La Motta's long-suffering brother and manager, and Cathy Moriarty as his delicate-featured, abused child-wife, both grab their opportunities with both hands. But the film's dominated from the outset by De Niro's tour de force performance as the brutal, hair-triggered La Motta, viciously lashing out at the world in self-destructive fury. De Niro, who had first suggested the project to Scorsese back in 1973, threw himself into the role with near-demented dedication, submitting to a full year's punishing training programme to gain a boxer's physique and fighting skills--then taking two months off in Europe to stuff himself relentlessly till he had gained 60 lbs to play the slobbish, washed-up ex-champ. It's a performance of scary believability that makes you realise how casually, these days, the actor is coasting through his later career. Raging Bull was nominated for eight Oscars and picked up two, one for De Niro, and one for Thelma Schoonmaker's editing.
On the DVD: not much, just the original trailer, and a brief promo for some of MGM's other DVD releases. There's some useful production info in the printed booklet enclosed in the box, but couldn't they have got Marty to say a few words? The images look stunning in their original widescreen (1.85:1) ratio, but neither the Dolby Digital sound nor the print seems to have been remastered. Such a major re-release deserved a little more effort. --Philip Kemp
Special Features
1.85 Wide Screen
French\German\Italian\Spanish
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital Surround English\Mono German Spanish French Italian
Dolby Digital Surround
Mono
Booklet Revealing An Insight Into The Making Of The Film
Chapter Search
Original Theatrical Trailer
Danish\Dutch\English\Finnish\French\German\Italian\Norwegian\Portuguese\Spanish\Swedish
French\German\Italian\Spanish
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital Surround English\Mono German Spanish French Italian
Dolby Digital Surround
Mono
Booklet Revealing An Insight Into The Making Of The Film
Chapter Search
Original Theatrical Trailer
Danish\Dutch\English\Finnish\French\German\Italian\Norwegian\Portuguese\Spanish\Swedish
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is by far De Niro's best performance, and that is saying something. The performance is raw and he depicts the boxer La Motta perfectly. The film shows the highs and lows of the boxer Jake La Motta, and the film is a real roller-coaster ride, De Niro takes you through all the emotions, and put together with Scorsese's brilliant direction, this film is well worth its title of 'Best film of the 80s'.
Raging Bull is the best sports film ever made, the sheer emotion it puts you through, the detailed fights scenes, the first-class sound, this has never been repeated on big screen. Rocky may be fans favourite, but this is the best.
It is hard to believe that De Niro trained for the part for over a year, fought in three fights, then shot the film, take a few months out of filming to put on 50 pounds and then finished filming. Not only the best actor, but also this shows commitment to the part.
I loved Raging Bull from the first time I saw it, I am sure I am not the only one.
17 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is Scorsese's masterpiece and no doubt De Niro's best performance. Much can be said about this film; But one thing that comes to mind is the use of powerfull imagery that is now regarded iconic in the film industry as being art on film.
It's not hard to believe why this film was voted 'The Best Film Of The 80's' as u sit through every last minute of the film in awe and respect for its genius script and performances.
The dvd does little for the film in terms of extras but makes up for it through the crisp picture quality and sharp score.
I recomend this film to anyone who wants to be entertained in ways that only films of this caliber han achieve. Purely inspirational.
It's not hard to believe why this film was voted 'The Best Film Of The 80's' as u sit through every last minute of the film in awe and respect for its genius script and performances.
The dvd does little for the film in terms of extras but makes up for it through the crisp picture quality and sharp score.
I recomend this film to anyone who wants to be entertained in ways that only films of this caliber han achieve. Purely inspirational.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The DeNiro-Scorcese partnership has been one of the most fruitful relationships in the history of cinema; and Raging Bull perhaps it's greatest product. Over 20 years after it was first released; it's impact is as great as ever as it profiles the rise and fall of The Bronx Bull - Jake LaMotta. It is one of the greatest performances of DeNiro's career; and as an example of method acting one of his most extreme; from training in New York's Time Square Gym to get himself in shape to putting on 3 stone to play the bloated slug that LaMotta became. This is a simply beautifully shot film; it's black and white imagery stark and brutal. Mascagni's haunting intermezzo plays over the opening credits; as a slow-motion deNiro bobs and shadow boxes; his robe swishing like a ball gown - giving the effect of a serene dance which precedes his slow-motion freefall into a personal hell. In 1949; the real LaMotta captured the world middleweight title; but his personal life was blighted by a struggle with his weight; combined with an aching sense of sexual inadequacy whch lead to an obsessive jealousy. From an objectionable lowlife; he becomes a pathetic slob; introducing strippers in seedy clubs in between indescribably bad comedy routines. This is simply a classic; thoug not easy to watch at times.
The 2 disc version also includes a documentary on the making of the film; a beautifully illustrated booklet and also some of the jokes from LaMotta's routine; told by the man himself. This is a must have in any film buff;s collection
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Didn't work.
I've really wanted to watch Raging Bull for ages so I ordered it. When I put it in my DVD player, nothing happened except it making a strange noise. Read more
Published 15 days ago by Ned Santorum
raging bull
this looks amazing on blu ray the picture and sound are so perfect im glad i purchased this film. robert deniro and joe pesci are brilliant in this film
Published 3 months ago by m
indeed best of 1980s'
Deniro gave an acting lesson. Unbelievable cinematography. Blu-ray looks gorgeous in black and white. I can watch this over and over again..
Published 7 months ago by kurt's fan
That's Entertainment. A Raging Blu review.
Can I assume that you are all familiar with this film? An iconic classic that features one of the finest ever performances from Robert Deniro as Jake LaMotta, chronicling the rise... Read more
Published 9 months ago by DeeJay
as good as they say
I first watched this a long time ago and thought it was good, but not great.
Parts are still troubling to watch but having grown up a little myself I got through these... Read more
Parts are still troubling to watch but having grown up a little myself I got through these... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mr. Nolan Jose
Masterpiece
A sporting biopic unlike any other, Martin Scorsese's astonishing masterpiece Raging Bull (1980) is surely one of the greatest cinematic achievements of all time. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mr. D. Gumble
Ding..Ding!
Its hard to pin point Scorsese and DeNiro's greatest film, but this must surely be a contender. The film follows the story of boxer Jake La Motta's rise and fall in the boxing... Read more
Published 17 months ago by West - Side Glory
Legendary for a reason
DeNiro's performence in Raging Bull is the finest I've ever seen. Movie goer or boxing fan this is a masterpiece biopic of "The Bronx Bull" Jake Lamotta. Read more
Published on 22 Feb 2010 by Cal
A bit disappointing
I was expecting more from this movie. Contrary to what seems to be the common judjgement, I do not find De Niro's acting particularly incisive. Read more
Published on 6 Feb 2010 by F. Panin
right raging film
After reading the Robert De Niro biography. Raging Bull gets quite a few mentions and 'packs plenty of punch' (see what i did there! Read more
Published on 9 Oct 2009 by Mr. R. Tomlinson
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