Raging Bull (1980)
★★★★ — Raging Bull (1980)
Raging Bull arrived at a pivotal moment in Martin Scorsese's career, following the commercial disappointment of New York, New York (1977) and a period of personal difficulties that left his future in Hollywood genuinely uncertain. The film adapts Jake LaMotta's 1970 memoir, co-written with Joseph Carter and Peter Savage, and was brought to Scorsese's attention by Robert De Niro, who became a driving force behind getting it made. Shot in black and white by cinematographer Michael Chapman (a conscious nod to the fight photography of the era, and partly a practical decision to avoid colour clashing with archive footage), the production cost United Artists $18 million and returned only modest box office numbers on release, though awards attention arrived quickly. De Niro famously gained around 27 kilograms to play the older LaMotta, and the film marked a significant early role for both Cathy Moriarty and Joe Pesci.
My absolute favourite sports film. Not because it’s uplifting or inspirational, but because it’s brutal, honest, and unflinching. This isn’t just about boxing; it’s about rage, self-destruction, jealousy, and the dark side of masculinity. Robert De Niro gives what might be the greatest performance of his career here, and that’s saying something. The dedication he put into learning how to box, training under Jake La Motta himself, and then gaining over 60 pounds to play the older version? That’s not acting. That’s possession. Martin Scorsese directs like a man possessed, too. With stark black-and-white cinematography and some of the most intense boxing sequences ever filmed, every scene feels like a punch to the gut (especially the ones outside the ring). The violence isn’t just physical; it’s psychological, emotional, and deeply uncomfortable at times. Jake La Motta wasn’t an easy man to like, and this film doesn’t try to soften that. It shows him as he was: brilliant in the ring, volatile outside of it, and tragically his own worst enemy. But that honesty is what makes Raging Bull so powerful. It doesn’t romanticise its subject. It dissects him. It should’ve swept the Oscars. It didn’t. Still doesn’t take away from how masterful this film is, shot after shot, line after line, punch after punch. A knockout on every level.
Rating: ★★★★ | Year: 1980 | Watched: 2025-05-14
Where to watch (UK)
Stream: MGM Plus Amazon Channel
Rent: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Sky Store
Buy: Apple TV Store · Rakuten TV · Amazon Video · Google Play Movies
Physical: Amazon UK
Affiliate disclosure: Movies With Macca may earn a small commission on purchases or subscriptions started via these links. It costs you nothing extra.
Related on Movies With Macca
More from Martin Scorsese: Italianamerican (1974) · The King of Comedy (1982) · Gangs of New York (2002) · Cape Fear (1991)
More with Robert De Niro: The Untouchables (1987) · The King of Comedy (1982) · Shark Tale (2004) · Little Fockers (2010)
More from the 1980s: Nightmare City (1980) · A Better Tomorrow (1986) · Style Wars (1983) · Garlic Is as Good as Ten Mothers (1980)
More drama: Viy (1967) · Wonder (2017) · A Better Tomorrow (1986) · Beautiful Boy (2018)
More history: Apocalypto (2006) · Rio 2096: A Story of Love and Fury (2013) · Harakiri (1962) · Night and Fog (1956)
