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Raging Bull

Raging Bull is a 1980 American biographical sports drama film directed by Martin Scorsese.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Raging Bull is a 1980 American biographical sports drama film directed by Martin Scorsese. It stars Robert De Niro as boxer Jake LaMotta and adapts LaMotta's memoir *Raging Bull: My Story*. The film depicts LaMotta's boxing career and his self-destructive personal life.

Plot

The film follows Jake LaMotta's boxing career and his violent, jealous, and self-destructive behaviour outside the ring. It uses his personal conflicts to frame the story as both a sports film and a character study.

Production

Raging Bull was directed by Martin Scorsese from a screenplay by Paul Schrader and Mardik Martin. It was produced by Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler and filmed in black and white.

Cast and performances

Robert De Niro stars as Jake LaMotta, with Joe Pesci appearing as LaMotta's brother Joey and manager. The film is noted for De Niro's transformative performance and its supporting cast.

Reception and legacy

The film initially received mixed reactions but later came to be regarded as a classic and one of Scorsese's finest works. It is frequently discussed for its themes of masculinity, jealousy, violence, and self-destruction.

Key facts

  • The film centers on middleweight boxer Jake LaMotta and his rise and fall in and out of the ring.
  • Robert De Niro plays LaMotta in an Academy Award-winning performance.
  • The screenplay was written by Paul Schrader and Mardik Martin.
  • The film is adapted from LaMotta's memoir *Raging Bull: My Story*.
  • It is widely regarded as one of Martin Scorsese's most important films.

Frequently asked questions

What is Raging Bull about?
It tells the story of boxer Jake LaMotta, focusing on his rise in boxing and his violent, destructive life outside the ring.
Who directed Raging Bull?
Martin Scorsese directed the film.
Who stars in Raging Bull?
Robert De Niro stars as Jake LaMotta.
What is Raging Bull based on?
It is based on Jake LaMotta's memoir *Raging Bull: My Story*.
What genre is Raging Bull?
It is generally classified as a biographical sports drama.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raging_Bull
    Supports: Basic film identification, release year, director, writers, and source memoir.
  2. British Film Institute — https://www.bfi.org.uk/film/0caff9bf-8c22-568b-b70e-c211b22dba41/raging-bull
    Supports: Film description, director, adaptation basis, and thematic focus.
  3. Turner Classic Movies — https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/19525/raging-bull
    Supports: Production credits, Academy Award recognition, and film significance.
  4. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/raging-bull-1980
    Supports: Critical interpretation of themes and narrative focus.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081398/
    Supports: Plot synopsis, cast, and general film metadata.