Raging Bull is a 1980 American biographical film directed by Martin Scorsese, adapted by Paul Schrader and Mardik Martin from the memoir Raging Bull: My Story . It stars Robert De Niro as Jake LaMotta, a middleweight boxer whose sadomasochistic rage, sexual jealousy, and animalistic appetite exceeded the boundaries of the prizefight ring, and destroyed his relationship with his wife and family. Also featured in the film are Joe Pesci as Joey, La Motta's well intentioned brother and manager who tries to help Jake battle his inner demons, and Cathy Moriarty as his abused wife. The film features supporting roles from Nicholas Colasanto, Theresa Saldana, and Frank Vincent, who has starred in many films directed by Martin Scorsese.
After receiving mixed initial reviews, (and criticism due to its disturbing level of violence, and upsetting material) it went on to garner a high critical reputation and is now widely regarded among the greatest movies ever made. It is one of five films that has been named to the National Film Registry in its first year of eligibility, (along with Do the Right Thing , Goodfellas , Toy Story , and Fargo .)
Plot
Beginning in 1964, where an older and fatter Jake LaMotta (Robert De Niro) practices his stand-up comic routine, a flashback shifts to his boxing career in 1941 against his opponent, Jimmy Reeves, in the infamous Cleveland bout. Losing the fight by a fixed result causes a fight to break out at the end of the match. His brother Joey LaMotta (Joe Pesci) is not only a sparring partner to him but also responsible for organizing his fights. Joey discusses a potential shot for the title with one of his Mafia connections, Salvy Batts (Frank Vincent), on the way to his brother's house in their neighborhood in the Bronx. When they are finally settled in the house, Jake admits that he does not have much faith in his own abilities. Accompanied by his brother to the local open-air swimming pool, a restless Jake spots a 15-year-old girl named Vickie at the edge of the pool (Cathy Moriarty). Although he has to be reminded by his brother he is already married, the opportunity to invite her out for the day very soon comes true when Joey gives in. Jake has two fights with Sugar Ray Robinson, set two years apart, and Jake loses the second when the judges rule in favor of Sugar Ray because he was leaving the sport temporarily for conscription in the US ARMY. This does not deter Jake from winning six straight fights, but as his fears grow about his wife, Vickie, having feelings for other men, particularly Tony Janiro, the opponent for his forthcoming fight, he is keen enough to show off his sexual jealousy when he beats him in front of the local Mob boss, Tommy Como (Nicholas Colasanto) and Vickie. The recent triumph over Janiro is touted as a major boost for the belt as Joey discusses this with journalists, though Joey is briefly distracted by seeing Vickie approach a table with Salvy and his crew. Joey has a word with Vickie, who says she is giving up on his brother. Blaming Salvy, Joey viciously attacks him in a fight that spills outside of the club. When Tommy Como hears that the two of them rose fists in a public place, he orders them to apologize and tells Joey that he means business. At the swimming pool, Joey tells Jake that if he really wants a shot, he will have to take a dive first. In the fight against Billy Fox, Jake does not even bother to put up a fight. Jake is suspended from the board on suspicion of throwing the fight, though he realizes the error of his judgment when it is too late. This does little to harm his career, when he finally wins the title against Marcel Cerdan at the open air Briggs Stadium.
Three years pass and Jake asks his brother if he fought with Salvy at the Copca because of Vickie. Jake then asks if Joey had an affair with his wife. Joey refuses to answer and decides to leave. Jake decides to find the truth for himself, interrogating his wife about the affair when she sarcastically states that she had sex with the entire neighborhood (including his brother, Salvy, and Tommy Como) and "sucked his brothers cock" after he knocks down the bathroom door where his wife is briefly hiding from him. Angrily walking straight towards Joey's house while Vicki tries to stop him. Jake enters Joey's house and brutally assualts him in front of Vicki and Joey's wife and children. Defending his championship belt against Laurent Dauthuille, he makes a call to his brother after the fight, but when Joey assumes Salvy is on the other end, Jake says nothing. This drags Jake down to when he eventually loses to Sugar Ray Robinson on their final ( very violent) encounter, letting Sugar Ray land several hard blows on him as punishment for what he did.
A couple of years later, in the middle of a photo shoot, Jake LaMotta surrounded by his wife and children, tells the journalists he is officially retired and that he has bought a new property. After staying out all night at his new nightclub in Miami, Vickie tells him she wants a divorce (which she has been planning since his retirement). Arrested for introducing under-age girls (posing as 21-year-olds) to men, he serves a jail sentence after failing to raise the bribe money by taking the jewels out of his championship belt instead of selling the belt itself. In his jail cell, Jake brutally pounds the walls whilst sorrowfully questioning his misfortune, as he sits alone crying in despair. Returning to New York City, he meets up with his estranged brother Joey in a parking lot where they share a nervous hug. Going back to the beginning sequence, Jake refers to the "I coulda' have been a contender" scene from On the Waterfront complaining that his brother should have been there for him but is also keen enough to give himself some slack. Darting across the room at the information of the crowded auditorium by the stage hand, the camera remains pivoted on the mirror as LaMotta chants 'I'm the boss' whilst shadow boxing. The film ends on an ambiguous note with a biblical quote: "All I know is this: Once I was blind, and now I can see" — symbolizing that even men like LaMotta can be redeemed.
Cast
- Robert De Niro as Jake LaMotta
- Cathy Moriarty as Vickie Thailer LaMotta
- Joe Pesci as Joey LaMotta
- Nicholas Colasanto as Tommy Como
- Theresa Saldana as Lenora LaMotta (Joey's wife)
- Frank Vincent as Salvy "Batts"
- Mario Gallo as Mario
Development
Raging Bull came about when De Niro read the autobiography upon which the film is based on the set of 1900 . Although disappointed by the book's writing style, he became fascinated by the character of Jake LaMotta when he showed the book to Martin Scorsese on the set of Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore as a means to hopefully consider the project. Scorsese repeatedly turned down his offers by resisting the director's chair, claiming he had no idea what Raging Bull was about, even though he did read some chapters of the text. The book was then passed onto Mardick Martin, the film's eventual co-screenwriter, who said "the trouble is the damn thing has been done a hundred times before — a fighter who has trouble with his brother and his wife and the mob is after him". The book was even shown to producer Irwin Winkler by De Niro, who was willing to assist only if Scorsese agreed. After nearly dying from a drug overdose, Scorsese agreed to make the film for De Niro's sake, not only to save his own life but also to save what remained of his career. Scorsese knew that he could relate to the story of Jake LaMotta as a way to redeem himself when he saw the role being portrayed as an everyman that "...the ring becomes an allegory of life" making the project a very personal one to him.
Preparation for the film began with Scorsese shooting some 8mm color footage featuring De Niro boxing in a ring. One night when the footage was being shown to De Niro, Michael Chapman, and his friend and mentor, the English director Michael Powell, Powell pointed out that color of the gloves at the time would have only been maroon, oxblood, or even black. Scorsese decided to use this as one of the reasons to film Raging Bull in black and white. Other reasons would be to distinguish the film from other color films around the time and to acknowledge the problem of fading color film stock - an issue Scorsese recognized. Scorsese even went to two matches at the Madison Square Garden to aid his research, picking up on minor but essential details such as the blood sponge and latterly, the blood on the ropes (which would later be used in the film).
Screenplay
Under the guidance of Winkler, Mardik Martin was asked to start writing the screenplay. According to De Niro, under no circumstances would United Artists accept Mardik Martin's script. The story was based around the vision of journalist Peter Hamill of a 1930s and 1940s style, when boxing was known as "the great dark prince of sports". De Niro was unimpressed when he finished reading the first draft, however. Taxi Driver screenwriter Paul Schrader was swiftly brought in to re-write the script around August 1978. Some of the changes that Schrader made to the script saw a re-write of the scene with the uncooked steak and inclusion of LaMotta seen masturbating in a Florida cell. The character of LaMotta's brother, Joey, was finally added, previously absent from Martin's script. United Artists saw a massive improvement on the quality of the script. Howeve
Underwater Disco Light Show Pool/Spa Ball LED ...
Buy your Underwater Floating Disco Light Show today from OZGadgets! A disco ball that floats on the top of a pool, spa or bath that creates an amazing under water light show.
Flickr: The Shiny Disco Balls Pool
Shiny Disco Balls. Group Pool Discussion 311 Members Map Join This Group. Slideshow. From 4444ndr333w. From F.Defect. From science™ From rafaeladeoliveira
Disco Light Up Cue Ball - Disco Pool Balls - Light Up ...
Add this Disco light up cue ball to your current ball set for a new fun experience. Standard 2 1/4" cue ball is made with Premium Grade “A” Resin.
Disco Pool Balls | Light Up Billiard Ball Set
You'll love the Disco Pool Balls light up billiard ball set from American Super Sports. Dazzling effects for your billiard table that will really have a lot of fun with. The Disco ...
Disco Replacement Cue Ball at Poolndarts.com
Mueller Recreational Products offers pool balls. Shop for pool and billiard balls at poolndarts.com.
Disco Balls Pool Balls, Disco Balls, Disco billiard ...
Our brand new Light Up Disco Balls were the smash hit of the BCA show! First orders sold out quickly. Balls light up when struck. Disco Balls are made of premium grade A resin and ...
Light Bulb Disco Ball - Creativity Pool
A regularly powered standard plug in bulb but with all the qualities of a disco ball in every size and wattage to go with the mood of any occasion or mood.
Flickr: The disco ball Pool
disco ball. Group Pool Discussion 259 Members Map Join This Group. Slideshow. From F.Defect. From rafaeladeoliveira. From rafaeladeoliveira. From i8pixistix. From i8pixistix
Disco Pool Balls - Light Up Billiard Ball Set - Pool ...
Item #: BBDISC: Availability: Usually ships the next business day. Shipping Info: Price: Regular price: $160.00 Sale price: $128.00
Big Stuff - Largest Disco Ball
Records->Amazing Feats->Big Stuff->Largest Disco Ball. Largest Container of Body Cream; Longest Pool Toy; Largest Kimono; Largest Cardboard Box