Raging Bull (DVD 2000)

Widely regarded as one of the classic films of all time, "Raging Bull" certainly is a cinematic masterpiece. Filmed in atmospheric Black and White it is mean and moody from the opening sequence of a lone boxer warming up in the ring, to the final scene of the "On the Waterfront" monologue, and is definitely a film that challenges more than entertains.
In short the story is the film-biopic of middle weight world champion Jake La Mota, charting his rise and fall both in the ring and in his personal life. Jealous to the point of paranoia La Mota is certainly not a particularly nice character and refreshingly the film makes no attempt to gloss over any of La Mota's less appealing characteristics. Most of the picture is taken over from a full frontal assault by his arrogant, violence and downright nasty performance and the abuse he dishes out to not only his competitors but to friends, and more importantly, family.

The acting performances are in a word, superb. De Niro obviously fully deserved his Oscar for what is an awesome performance. Full credit to yet another brilliant turn by Joe Pesci and Cathy Moriarty as La Mota's wife chips in with a fine routine also. Both were nominated for Oscars.

Make no mistakes; this isn't a family fun film, a la Rocky, to watch on a Saturday afternoon. It is dark, depressing, seldom uplifting but remains a compelling film that grabs hold of you and doesn't let go for the complete duration.

have always been told was a classic so had to get it !!
overall a very good and interesting film & true story about a great yet troubled boxer .
good gritty feel to it shot in black and white and you have to appreciate its quality for its age/ time .
if your a boxing fan or youve never seen it well worth getting !

great film what a classic, de niro's performance is outstanding. i love anything to do with boxing and this is great

a film that is one with the classics and that keeps you wanting more and de niro gives an amazing portayal of a man whose animal side lurks just beneath the surface.

my husband couldnt get it anywhere our teenage grandson wanted to see it the dvd had two discs one for under 18 we were delighted with everything aboutit

yep di nero pulled of the character of jake la motta brilliantly, so much so that the real life jake la mottta loves this film himself............. surly that should be enuf to coinvince ya to buy it!!

This has always been one of by favorite films, not just because of the boxing scenes but the film as a whole. The humour and mood swings of what a boxer goes through gives an insite of just some of the dissaplines a fighter has to go through.
Both De'nero and Pesci give an exellent performance, and as a lot of the acting is improvized they pull it off with fantastic results.
This film may not appeal to everyone, but to me it is one of the GREAT CLASSICS, that is once again, becoming highely acclaimed (and so it should!!). If for nothing else watch it for the dialect. Excellent A++++