Customer Reviews

Raging Bull (Special Edition)

5 star:		(185)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

Revised for Blu-ray release:The two disc 30th Anniversary release combo on Blu-ray looks extremely good but is flawed--there's a noticeable translucent strip in the corner of the image that is slightly brighter than the rest of the image. It's a bit distracting at first but once you get into the film, you'll find it less noticeable. This flaw was also visible in the DVD edition of the film. The transfer is very good but not flawless.

There are some new special features for this edition including: "Marty & Bobby" featuring director and actor interviewed about how they ended up working on the film together (DeNiro brought the project to Scorsese). "Raging Bull-Reflections of a Classic" features four directors Neil LeBute, Richard Kelly and Kimberly Pierce discussing the influence and impact of the film. "Remembering Jake" allows us to listen in as the Veteran Boxer's Association of New York do their monthly get together and discuss Jake LaMotta. "Marty on Film" allows Scorsese to discuss his career as a director. All of the new material presented on this disc is in HD.

We get the previous special features carried over from the previous DVD edition. The set also includes a DVD with no special features included as well. The packaging is problematic--the Blu-ray packging is about as flimsy as it comes with the "green" packaging that isn't solid with plastic "bands" supporting the disc. The only problem is that if something pokes the packaging it'll rip the paper (and in my case it also caused the Blu-ray to be badly scratched. It also means that it's MORE likely to get knocked loose inside the packaging because it doesn't hold the disc as securely. Unfortunately more studios are going to this packaging supposedly because it's "green" but, really, it has more to do with it being cheap.

DVD Review:







The Academy has been wrong on many occasions. This would be one of them. As interesting a drama as "Ordinary People" was Robert Redford's film can't hold a candle to the complex drama that was passed over for both best director and best picture. "Raging Bull" features Scorsese's cinematic gifts at their peak. The kinetic camera of Michael Chapman and Scorsese's unusual but powerful compositions capture the boxing ring in a way never quite seen before. He also captures the human element in the same way. Jake LaMotta's gift is his ability to punish himself for his sins. He can be pummeled by others and withstand every single massive punch of his opponents. Yes he can knock them out but it's also his ability to outlast them that makes LaMotta so difficult to beat in the ring. The boxing ring changes from a place of sport to a place of war for one man's soul. Robert DeNiro's brilliant portrayal of LaMotta earned him a well deserved Oscar but without Scorsese's sharp as nails direction and the rich imagery of Michael Chapman's cinematography, "Raging Bull" would just have been another biopic about a famous boxer. The difference between the deluxe two disc edition of "Raging Bull" and the single disc version comes down to the featurettes and documentary on disc two and the commentary tracks on disc one. Both the single disc and two disc versions feature the same top notch transfer.

A beautiful, detailed transfer brings out the rich shadows, dark blacks and bright whites of Michael Chapman's cinematography. Presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio for the first time this anamorphic transfer captures all the detail missing from the previous version released on DVD (which was reportedly cropped from the 1.33:1 TV version. Shot in black and white on high contrast film, the film retains it's grainy texture that added a sense of gritty reality to the original theatrical release. Presented in an enhanced Dolby Digital 5.1 and the original 2.0 Dolby Digital Surround soundtrack, the detailed soundtrack sounds terrific with virtually no compression issues and great presence.
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Extras: In Before the Fight the principle cast and crew discuss all the struggles that producers Chartoff and Winkler faced in making the movie. A project that DeNiro had first proposed to Scorsese when he was making Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. It's ironic that Scorsese who was never a big sports fan would make the ultimate boxing movie. Scorsese discusses how he was ultimately persuaded to make the movie by DeNiro (who had the idea of doing the physical transformation for LaMota as he ages from the very beginning). Luckily Chartoff and Winkler had produced Rocky. The duo used the success of their film as leverage to get Raging Bull.

"In the Ring" focuses on the actual production issues they faced. Watching pre-production footage Scorsese came to the conclusion that Irwin Winkler's suggestion to shoot the film in black and white was perfect for capturing the "vintage" look of the era. Editor Thelma Schoonmaker points out that amazingly Raging Bull was shot with only one camera. Schoonmaker also points out the subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) differences between fights and how changing the design of the ring, the lighting and how the sequences reflected Jake's emotional state at the time. While the film was storyboarded, Scorsese primarily used them to help keep track of the way the film would ultimately look when put together.

"In Outside the Ring" Pesci points out that the film was far from improvised. Schrader provided the dramatic structure and the actors would improvise during the rehearsal sessions and would then be, for the most part, written in stone. We learn much more about the dramatic scenes in this section with Cathy Morarity discussing everything from how the hairdresser would use corn syrup to keep her hair perfect. Chapman shot many of the color home movies then realized he couldn't shoot them with bad framing like typical home movies. The teamsters working on the production shot these sequences.

"After the Fight" Pesci and Schoonmaker justify the extreme violence of the film by pointing out that Scorsese wasn't trying to glorify it but make it as ugly as possible particularly when it came to the fight sequences but also during the domestic fights between LaMotta and his family. Sound Effects editor points out some of the simple ideas that he used to highlight the differences between the fights sometimes during various punches such as the sound of a horse shuttering or an elephant braying during two intense fights. Warner would routinely burn the tapes he used for the sound effects at the end of each production forcing himself to create anew all over again with a new concept for each movie.

"The Bronx Bull" features Jake LaMotta discussing seeing the movie for the first time. We then hear from film critics as to the reaction to the film. Schoonmaker talks about how the trade papers warned distributors NOT to book the film. Ironically, the critics asked about the film are British critics who seem to have the best appreciation for the film. The Bronx Bull duplicates many comments in the 20 minute featurettes included but, nonetheless, it provides additional background on the film not available elsewhere.

"DeNiro vs. LaMotta" compares the reel world vs. the real world from still photos and archival footage. It shows the detail that Scorsese and DeNiro went into to recreate the look and feel of the real fights. We also get the original theatrical trailer and a promo trailer for the Rocky boxed set.

If you elect to go for the single disc edition of the film, all you'll get is a bare bones presentation. It does, however, sport the best transfer to date of the film presented in the correct aspect ratio (widescreen image heighth and width). It's a pity that MGM chose not to include the commentary tracks on this edition as they would have provided information every bit as useful as the extras on the deluxe edition. Ironically, the image quality might be better in theory because there's less bit space being turned over to the commentary tracks.

A superb movie that lost the Oscar to the fine film Ordinary People on a technicality (the repulsive violence alienated much of the Academy's core members), Raging Bull proves to be the deeper, richer film of the two. There's no doubt that both are classic films of a different sort but, truly, Raging Bull proves that if a classic is overlooked that time will repair the damage done.

This is a blu-ray for film lovers. The film grain has been reproduced beautifully. There is some minor ringing on a few high contrast edges, but other than that nit-pick, this looks just like watching it at the movie theater, but with a pristine print. Looks just as Scorcese intended in gorgeous black and white. One of the greatest films has been given a great restoration and now looks its very best on blu-ray!

Raging Bull is an incredible film featuring some of the greatest directing, cinematography, and acting ever to grace the silver screen. Such an incredible movie also has to have a strong foundation in the form of a powerful script, moving music and incredible set work. In all, this is a movie that comes together on all fronts, and it's a credit to Scorcese for making that happen.

Jake LaMotta is a fighter who relies on his physical gifts over his mind. Over the years, the mindless beatings he allows himself to take take a toll on his mind and body. His decline is a metaphor for his personal life as well. He neglects his wife and family just as much as he neglects his health. He eventually loses everything, but retains a certain pride in his thickheadedness.

Yes it's true, LaMotta was not an angel. But this film is great because of its honesty. Deniro's portrayal of LaMotta is legendary. His talents were never better used in a motion picture.

Joe Pesci gives a strong performance in his supporting role as Jake's brother Joey. Cathy Moriarty gives an incredible performance as Jake's Wife. I was surprised to learn she was only 19 years old and cast mainly because of looks. She is very believable throughout the entire movie, as the wild young sexpot and the resolute divorcee.

The fight scenes bring out the best in the film's cinematography. Every scene is expertly framed in the ring with realism and sharp contrast. This is the closest a non-boxer will ever get to stepping inside the ring. The music is perfectly timed with the action, highlighting the beauty and brutality of this blood sport.

The rivalry with Sugar Ray Robinson is expertly done. "You never hurt me," sums up Jake's pride after Robinson inevitably outclasses him.

From world champion to lounge bum, Jake LaMotta's rise and fall come to life in this film. Buy it, study it, watch it over and over. This is an incredible edition as well, with great clarity and nice features.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Watching a black and white movie in blu ray is unbelievable. This is crisp, sharp and De Niro is as good as it gets.

When you view Raging Bull in TRUE WIDESCREEN you see Scorsese's cameo in the final shot of the film when DeNiro performs his monologue in front of the mirror.

I own a copy of Raging Bull on VHS, but it isn't widescreen. So, I bought a copy of it on DVD because MGM advertises that Raging Bull is WIDESCREEN on the DVD case.

The widescreen on Raging Bull DVD is phony. IT IS NOT THE WIDESCREEN version of the film.

MGM tries to TRICK you into thinking you have widescreen Raging Bull by adding black bars to the standard television format.

So, instead of gaining up to 50% more image on the left and right of the screen, you actually LOSE a good percentage of the image at both the top and bottom. This is not widescreen.

It is false advertising done by MGM.

The True widescreen version of Raging Bull shows director Martin Scorsese. The DVD version of Raging Bull which is supposed to be WIDESCREEN does not.

If you want to see for your self, select a scene from Raging Bull "widescreen" and examine the composition. Memorize the top, bottom, left and right of the screen.

After you have done so, view the exact image on standard format. You will notice the difference. MGM has cropped off the top and bottom of the picture in the widescreen format hoping to trick us into thinking with have the real thing.

I am very disappointed with MGM and encourage you to refrain from purchasing Raging Bull DVD until a TRUE widescreen version is released.

Back in the 1940's, Jake LaMotta was one of the most talented middleweight boxing athlete in America. Electrifying and scary, his tactic of getting close to his opponent and punishing them with blow after blow earned him the nickname "Bronx Bull" or better yet, "The Raging Bull".

But as electrifying and fierce as his style was in the boxing ring, his personal life was full of jealousy, obsession, anger, ignorance and eventually throwing a boxing match in order to get himself closer to the mafia in order to earn a title match.

Although considered one of the best boxers in the last century, there was more to LaMotta's life which was captured in his 1970 memoir "Raging Bull: My Story".

With the success of "Rocky" in 1976, Americans had an interest in boxing movies and what best than to work on a story that dealt with a real champ who had significant personal issues, a full-length movie adaptation of LaMotta's memoir and who best to direct it than Martin Scorsese, who was riding high from the success of his films "Taxi Driver" (1976) and "New York, New York" (1977) and Scorsese and De Niro worked together on the 1973 film "Mean Streets" (which would be the time when De Niro started to persuade Scorsese in considering "Raging Bull"). The film would be the first for actress Cathy Moriarty and the second for upcoming actor at the time, Joe Pesci.

Although at the time of release, because of its violent boxing content and domestic violence, the film had mixed reviews from critics. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won two, Robert De Niro for best actor and "Best Film Editing" by Thelma Schoonmaker.

But overtime, "Raging Bull" is now regarded one of the greatest films ever made by film critics including the American Film Institute, the British Film institute's "Sight and Sound" and various newspaper publications. Gene Siskel has put the film as #1 in his top 10 list, Roger Ebert lists it as his #2 in his top 10 and France's "Cahiers du Cinema" has it listed as their #8 film in their worldwide cinema top 10 film list. Most recently, the American Film Institute has it listed as their #4 "100 Years....100 Movies" list.

The film is so well regarded that in 1990, "Raging Bull" was listed in the National Film Registry during its first year of eligibility.

The film would also be recognized for De Niro's ability of playing a physically fit and toned boxer but then gaining 60 pounds for portrayal of La Motta after his boxing career. As for Scorsese, he had a major hand in the film's editing and mixing as the director thought "Raging Bull" would be the final feature film he would be working on (Scorsese was going through personal challenges and wanted to do documentaries).

VIDEO:

"Raging Bull: 30th Anniversary Edition" is presented primarily in black and white (with only color focused on the montage wedding video clips of Jake and Joey and La Mott). But the picture quality is fantastic!

You can see details of the character, the sweaty hair, the beaten up face, the blood on De Niro's legs, the film looks great!

The black and white footage and the contrast levels are perfect. The blacks are nice and deep, the white and grays look absolutely wonderful! A fine layer of grain can be seen and no DNR or artifacting at all. This is a wonderful presentation of this film and "Raging Bull" looks absolutely wonderful on Blu-ray!

It's important to note that I am aware that "Raging Bull: 30th Anniversary Edition" is the same transfer as the previous 2009 Blu-ray edition of "Raging Bull" and some are able to see a translucent stripe on the right side of the screen (which reviewers mentioned in their 2009 Blu-ray review). I didn't see it but this seems to be a 50/50 case depending on one's hardware it appears or because it shows very few times, people miss it. I didn't catch it at all.

But really, I don't think anyone should complain because the PQ is wonderful!

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

"Raging Bull: 30th Anniversary Edition" is presented in English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and English Surround Sound. Dialogue coming from the front and center channel is excellent but it's those fight sequences where Scorsese really wanted people to feel and hear the ferocity, the brutality of boxers. From the leather gloves landing on flesh, the fluidity of the punches and hearing classic to modern announcers talking about the fight, hearing the the flash bulbs from the photographers, everything is captured remarkably well and making you feel the action with the use of audio.

And this extends to crowd cheering ambiance as they scream for LaMotta and boo him when he pretty much gives up on a fight. Every cheer and jeer, you hear it through the surround channels but it is important to note that because the film features a lot of dialogue, it's a film that is more center and front channel driven.

Still, audio is crystal clear!

Subtitles are presented in English SDH, Spanish and French.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

"Raging Bull: 30th Anniversary Edition" comes with the following special features:

* Filmmakers Commentary - Director Martin Scorsese and editor Thelma Schoonmaker.
* Cast and Crew Commentary - Featuring audio commentary with cast and crew featuring Irwin Winkler, Robbie Robertson, Robert Chartoff, Theresa Saldana, John Turturro, FrankWerner, Michael Chapman,and Cis Norman.
* Storyteller's Commentary - Featuring audio commentary by Marcik Martin, Paul Schrader, Jason Lustig and Jake La Motta.
* Marin and Bobby - (13:35) A new featurette for this 30th Anniversary Edition, both Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro talk about their relationship and how they work very well together.
* Filmmakers Reflection "Raging Bull" - (12:15) A new featurette for this 30th Anniversary Edition,Directors Kimberly Peirce (Boy's Don't Cry), Richard Kelly (Donny Darko), Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart) and Neil LaBute (In the Company of Men) talk about why "Raging Bull" is a masterpiece!
* Remembering Jake - (11:04) A new featurette for this 30th Anniversary Edition, members of the Veteran Boxers Association of New York talk about their memories of meeting Jake LaMotta and their experiences with him.
* Marty on Film - (10:30) A new featurette for this 30th Anniversary Edition, Martin Scorsese talks about his passion of cinema and the making of films.
* Cathy Moriarty on the Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson - (6:42) An early interview from 1981 with Cathy Moriarty being interviewed by Johnny Carson about "Raging Bull".
* Raging Bull: Fight Night - (1:22:32) The making of "Raging Bull" from how the book became a film, the making of the film, the fighting sequences, outside of the ring and after the fight. A magnificent making of featurette!
* The Bronx Bull - (27:54) Jake LaMotta, film critics and editor Thelma Schoonmaker talk about how the film's fighting sequences being exact as they were to the real fight footage, shooting in black and white and the great improvisation between De niro and Pesci.
* De Niro vs. La Motta - (3:47) A scene showing how Martin Scorsese made certain fight scenes identical to the actual fight. From the punches, to the falls and more.
* La Motta Defends Title - (1:00) An old MovieTone news clip feat. Jake La Motta.
* Original Theatrical Trailer - (2:09) The original theatrical trailer for "Raging Bull".

EXTRAS:

"Raging Bull: 30th Anniversary Edition" comes with a slipcase cover plus a DVD version of the film. DVD is presented in 1:85:1 widescreen, English 5.1 Dolby Digital, English Dolby Surround, Spanish and French Mono. Subtitles are in English SDH, Spanish and French.

JUDGMENT CALL:

"Raging Bull" is one of Scorsese's masterpiece which may have not done well in the box office because no one knew how to interpret the violence featured in the film but after time, critics and cinema publications worldwide recognize how "Raging Bull" was wonderful cinema.

Where people expected another "Rocky", "Raging Bull" was nothing like that film. Where "Rocky" made viewers sympathetic to a man that one would root for, "Raging Bull" was the opposite. As viewers, we are forced to be sympathetic to a man who is no angel, who had personal issues and really, a guy that had his own personal inner demons. A guy that many people feared and didn't want to get on his bad side.

Jake LaMotta was not a perfect man. Awesome boxer in the '40s with an iron chin and a fighting style that really scared those who were in the ring with him but this is not a film just about boxing, this is a film about man's self-destruction. A man who loses it all by bad decision-making and although the film is loosely based on LaMotta's real life but in reality, as Vikki LaMotta told Jake who was depressed about seeing what kind of man he was, when he asked her was he that bad, her answer was "he was worse".

That's what makes "Raging Bull" so intriguing because for the most part, people never sympathize with a brutal man, an abusive man but through "Raging Bull", it's like watching an intriguing trainwreck of how Jake LaMotta lived his life and how this man had everything from a wonderful boxing career, made great money, had a beautiful wife but it was never enough for him. He wanted more money, he was blinded my jealousy and he lived his life day-by-day and eventually got himself in trouble.

And to accurately show this man's life, it was going to take remarkable dedication.

This was a story that Robert De Niro wanted to be made into a film. He started pitching it to Scorsese back when they were doing "Mean Streets" six years before "Raging Bull" was filmed. He continued to persuade him year after year and even told him that he would do everything necessary to get the physique of a boxer and be toned and then gain 60-pounds to show Jake LaMotta after his prime. That's amazing dedication but for Scorsese, this was a man who was going through personal challenges. He believed he lost his filmmaking mojo and wanted to quite feature films. He was not feeling good about his life and when "Raging Bull" didn't become the box office hit like "Rocky", needless to say, Scorsese wasn't thinking he would have much of a career afterward. Especially from the unfavorable reviews it received from the Hollywood Reporter and Variety Magazine.

Also, professionals advised Scorsese to not use unknowns but he was dedicated in hiring Cathy Moriarty to play Vickie LaMotta and Joe Pesci to play Joey LaMotta and he kept to that decision because the collaboration between De Niro and Pesci would become wonderful as the two were able to improvise and make it feel real and they continued that with "Goodfellas" and "Casino". As for Cathy Moriarty, this person was working at a nightclub in the Bronx with no acting experience but she had that style that complimented Jake's character.

And while the acting was magnificent, it was Scorsese along with editor Thelma Schoonmaker that really made "Raging Bull" literally kick ass!

Scorsese wanted to achieve perfection. He knew very little about boxing but he wanted to emulate it the best that he can but also making sure that every boxing match was different. And while most actors would complain, De Niro was patient. He wanted the role and he has an amazing repertoire with Scorsese and no matter how many takes it took, they got the fighting down with some matches being nearly an exact copy of the actual fight (using classic footage, Scorsese worked up storyboards) and Thelma Schoonmaker is one of the best in the business and knows what Scorsese wants but knowing hot to piece together every punch, capturing the brutality of a boxing match and making the viewer see the pain that LaMotta was inflicting or getting himself.

With "Raging Bull", this is a film that features wonderful filmmaking, top notch screenplay and magnificent acting that everything comes together perfectly.

And as for this Blu-ray release, yes... a 2009 Blu-ray edition with the same PQ and AQ has been released and is available for quite cheap but why upgrade to "Raging Bull: 30th Anniversary Edition"?

For me, if you are a filmmaker who loves Scorsese's work or a cinema fan that admires his oeuvre, these four additional special features show us Scorsese, the filmmaker and Scorsese and De Niro, their awesome collaboration. It also is nice to see filmmakers come together and show their appreciation and explaining why "Raging Bull" was a masterpiece for them and then also hearing from past boxers who have worked or were good friends with Jake LaMotta chiming in.

Now does this justify the upgrade? It depends on you. Are special features meaningful for you? If not, then the 2009 Blu-ray will suffice. Otherwise, if you really love this film and love Scorsese's work and De Niro's work, then yeah... "Raging Bull: 30th Anniversary Edition" is worth it! And if you haven't purchased this film on Blu-ray yet, then this 30th Anniversary Edition is the way to go.

Wonderful PQ, AQ plust three wonderful audio commentaries, a wonderful making of 1.5 hour long featurette and plenty of special features, if you truly enjoy this Scorsese masterpiece, "Raging Bull: 30th Anniversary Edition" is a must-own and a must-buy!

A mood masterpiece from director Martin Scorsese, Raging Bull is the authority on boxing films as well as cinematic biographies. The life and times of Jake La Motta (Robert De Niro) are as troubled and bumpy as that of any great figure. A furious man from the backstreets of the Bronx, La Motta rises from the ravages of poverty to become one of the most unbeatable contenders in boxing history. Set amid the backdrop of the 1940's and 50's, this film is the modern pinnacle of the always-arresting theme of Rise and Fall. A man who had everything he wanted, La Motta was forever haunted by personal demons that were expressed through forceful paranoia and the obsessive need for reassurance. Driven by anger rather than passion, he was able to defeat any opponent with sheer grit and thirst for blood. Among his Achilles heels were his young wife, Vikki, whom he met when she was only fifteen. Moving at a steady and always involving beat, La Motta is shown taking more beatings, winning more titles and self-destructing. As through a looking glass, there is always a feeling of not knowing what this fighting man will do next. And in the great tradition of Scorsese's Italian American fables, this film forges a somber and exciting attitude all the way through. Intensifying the film's dismal and violent beauty is the soundtrack, which mainly consists of the Intermezzo, from Cavalleria Rusticana, an Italian opera by Pietro Mascagni. This choice of scores not only furthers the feel of darkness, but it immediately foreshadows La Motta's downfall, while at the same time bestowing Italian artistry on the picture. Always worried that his wife is cheating on him, and thinking that his counterparts are working against him, Jake La Motta ventures beyond the point of no return. As the film's flashback approach illustrates, Raging Bull is more than just a sports film. Rather, it is a look at how a person's actions decide his fate. It is an in-depth journey into how people can shun those around them to the point of doing irreparable damage, and what carelessness and misuse of ones own limits can sow. Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese have undoubtedly constructed a picture of stark reality and emotional fire. De Niro stretches his abilities even farther than he does in Taxi Driver. This film achieves mythical direction and allegorical character figuration. With its black and white colour as well as its unmistakably subdued tone, Raging Bull delivers great performances not only from De Niro, but from Joe Pesci as Joe La Motta (Jakes' brother) and Cathy Moriarty (Vikki La Motta). In between the ring matches, lies the story of a broken spirit with a destiny for suffering, for this story is Jake La Motta himself, and not a third person reciting it.

Raging Bull established Robert De Niro as the preeminent actor of his generation and one of the best of all-time. Mr. De Niro doesn't just act the part, he becomes Jake LaMotta. He explodes off the screen as he takes us through the highs and lows of Mr. LaMotta's life from being middleweight champion of the world to being a second rate lounge act. He is fierce, bitter, angry, touching and becomes somewhat sympathetic near the end. He trained to get into fighting condition and then put on about 100 pounds to play the Mr. LaMotta later in life. He is simply brilliant. In addition, an 18 year old Cathy Moriarty makes an impressive debut as his abused wife and Joe Pesci, in one of his earliest roles, plays his tormented brother. Martin Scorcese decided to shoot the movie in black and white (there is a brief scene in color of a LaMotta home movie) and this adds to the film's intensity and darkness. Mr. De Niro deservedly won the 1980 Best Actor Academy Award, but the film (which many critics site as the best of the 80's) lost out to the bland melodrama Ordinary People and Mr. Scorcese failed to win the best director award, losing to first time director Robert Redford.

Robert De Niro the finest actor in the world at the peak of his powers giving an astounding performance as the self destructive, suspicious, stubborn and angry Jake Le Motta would be reason enough to behold this film. Yet, Raging Bull contains so much more, the crisp black and white photography inturrupted by brief projector images of coulor that are extremely poignant , as we watch La Motta's seemingly happy home movies while knowing all along the path his life is taking. In another great performance in the movie, Joe Pesci hits the right notes as Jake's brother who is too weak to stand up to him. He takes his frustrations out on his wife and his friends, and eventually abandons his abusive brother in the film final harsh,fair and heartbreaking third. This director Martin Scorsese's masterpiece which criminally lost the best piture oscar to the much lesser Oridinary People. To all of you who haven't seen this film, do yourself a favour and see it.

Raging Bull is an instant classic and is imo the best of the tandem of Scorsese and DeNiro's work. Now it's a must own blu ray. The picture quality is the best to be released for this film to this date and the sound quality is 4.5/5 stars. Hearing the score in HD is wondeful and this blu ray gives us a widescreen perspective. Some people may not like the man but you can't go wrong with watching this film in widescreen how it seems like it was meant to be. What an amazing emotional journey Raging Bull takes us through as we see all of Jake's demons as he tries to be the best of the best. A truly great charachter study of a controlling man struggling to reach his ideal. Joe Pesci is great as Jake's brother and Cathy Moriarty is beautiful. 5/5 and one of the top 15 films ever made. A true classic.