The scene with De Niro in the prison cell is one of the most amazing scenes I've ever seen in a movie. Just the degree of anger and despair there was incredible. Prime example of why De Niro is a God.
Thanks for this one. It often gets forgotten due to the subject matter, but it's truly a masterpiece. And Deniro's performance is the true definition of throwing oneself into a role. Just saw this film on the big screen at a local arts college. All I could think about was the level of Deniro's effort in this movie. It's unbelievable.
Martin Scorcese said he filmed it in black-and-white because at that time, he began to realize that older color films had started to fade and didn't want this film ruined decades later. However, he's since filmed every other movie in color.
The opening is filmed from the outside of the ring looking in with the ropes resembling a cage. La Motta shadow boxes alone within the “cage”. You don’t see anyone else in the ring or any spectators faces. La Motta is alone in the cage and the battle is with himself.
Thanks for reviewing. With so many reaction and review channels out there,I truly look forward to Tuesdays and seeing what you have lined up. All these years later,rewatching this movie,what really stands out is just how much influence it has had on characters and dialogue. . I almost forgot how many quotable lines there are in this movie. 👍
I'm surprised you questioned the black & white. Aside from it obviously being an aesthetic that film historian Scorsese grew up with and admires from a creative standpoint, but it's also essential for recapturing what all of those fights actually looked like back in the '40s, when they were filmed in B&W and then shown later on in theatres. It also helps disguise the blood, of course. The carnage doesn't look as shocking, but it's still effective. Scorsese's college pal and regular collaborator from here on out, editor Thelma Schoonmaker, won the first of her three Scorsese Oscars for this. She had won a couple before Scorsese won his first. This was voted the best edited film of all-time in the Top 75 list compiled by the Editor's Guild. Two other of her films with Scorsese made the list as well, including "Goodfellas."
Damn.... We out here not even talking about how brilliant this movie is edited. Thanks for the insight and the reminder. There are always others involved in the building of a Directors' "Genius". His editor Ms. Thelma Schoomaker is not to be left out of the conversation.
I sat text to Eddie Mustafa Muhammed who played Billy Fox on a plane ride. He was light heavy champ an a legit great fighter, ironically playing a guy who's fight was fixed. FYI in reality Fox wasn't that bad a fighter but was mob controlled. Also in the scene that Jake wins the title awarding the belt to him is Joe Louis ( which really happened). Playing Louis is Coley Wallace who played Louis in 1953 in the Joe Louis Story.
Fantastic reaction.....but that practically was a given!! Major applauding at the classic knock-out shot, where the losing boxer falls to the mat......that was reaction video GOLD! And also during the Robinson beat down section. But also just you guys laughing along with De Niro and Pesci's performances was a blast as well! I remember De Niro putting on all that weight was a HUGE deal at the time.....no actor had done that before. His Oscar was all but guaranteed that year! Him and Dustin Hoffman were already known for going to great lengths for a character, but "Raging Bull" was a totally new benchmark performance....for EVERYBODY, the equivalent of Brando in "A Streetcar Named Desire" 30 years earlier. I can't think of another more influential performance of the last 60 years. Meryl Streep did "Sophie's Choice" a couple of years later, that was the female equivalent of "Raging Bull", another total game changer performance. ALL actors upped their games after "Raging Bull" and "Sophie's Chohice". Scorsese is a TOTAL master in this one, thought, man oh man. It's hard to pick a greatest Scorsese movie. I have favorites. "King Of Comedy" and "After Hours" are close to my heart. But "Raging Bull" is definitely a contender for his "greatest" achievement, no question about it. If his career stopped at "Raging Bull", we'd still be talking about him. THANKS!!!!!!!! What a surprise!!!!
Thank you! Appreciate the comment and the insightful. You're so right. This movie is mind-blowingly amazing on all levels. I have not seen "Street Car..." or "Sophie's Choice" so... Added too the list. I'll watch Meryl Steep read the phone book.
Scorsese and the cinematographer, Michael Chapman, shot the movie in black and white in order to catch the raw energy and brutality associated with boxing. Plus, the MPAA couldn’t stomach over the top blood and gore scenes at the time, so shooting those scenes in black and white prevented the movie from getting something like an X rating.
Casting agent: "Mr. Pesci, even though you're practically a nobody, we're going to cast you opposite Robert De Niro in the very important role of his older brother/manager. You're going to have many one-on-one scenes with Mr. De Niro, who is at the height of his acting powers. Are you sure you're up to the challenge?" Joe Pesci: "Hold my fuckin' beer."
Good reaction. Scorsese is very good at creating charismatic psycho characters that young men identify with, even though everything in the movie says 'this is a wrong 'un'. The Wolf of Wall Street's Jordan Belfort is another one.
The choice of black and white was due to the boxing. It both was an homage to the classic boxing films of the 40's and 50's and allowed for the violence he wanted. Also, color stocks of that time faded quickly, something that spurred Scorsese both to do this film in black and white and to get involved with film preservation.
The Champ was 1979 and Raging Bull, 1980. I wonder if the DP/Directors talked or if they had some of the same Camera Ops. That is too close of a timeline to be a "recreation" outright. Maybe a "borrow" or an "I like that! (seeing an early cut and then using it). I could be wrong for sure though. Also, movie shots are kind of like invention patents. If you go back in history you can find multiple instances of two or three people requesting the same patent within 2 to 4 months of each other. And oftentimes not even from the same area. Great minds think alike is what I'm saying.
@@MajorProgress The Champ from 1931 is the one I saw with Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper. Sorry i wasnt specific, wasnt aware there was a 1979 remake.
I've always thought the mob boss, Tommy, was one of Scorsese's best characters - that quiet casual confidence of someone who could have you killed any time he feels like it is really terrifying.
That's Nicholas Costolano Coach from Cheers . He was also in another great boxing movie Fat City. The character is based on Frankie Carbo aka Mr White who ran the mob's control of boxing out of New York
We touch on it later even though it doesn't make the edit. But we discuss how the opening is a foreshadowing too the final epic fight. It's beautiful though. Again, I can't imagine the amount of haze and perfect lighting needed to achieve that shot. And similar shots.
Another great watch guys. Appreciate the extra angles given by you both, especially the slo-mo romaticised shot. The sound levels between the film and yourselves seemed off to me (film quiet, you prominent) or I'm going deaf.
The mix should in general lean towards us, but also if the levels of the movie are lower there is less chance of the review/reaction getting flagged and pulled. We can get flagged on uploads that contain visual and audio of content that we don't own, even if we are not monetizing the video.
Early comment "Psycho WIFE"?.... BTW, this isn't a " boxing movie". Like " The Hustler" isn't about shooting pool. They're vehicles. And I was born in Brooklyn in 1950...a BIG melting pot full of Italians, Puerto Ricans, Polish, Asians, etc. Glad you appreciated Scorsese's skills. A suggestion....watch his extraordinary film "Silence" (Adam Driver, Liam Neeson. GOD is the vehicle. Scorsese's range is dazzling and yet .....
If you want to see some of Scorsese's influences for this, check out Kubrick's early "Killer's Kiss". It's mostly a pretty forgettable early film (still miles above his abominable first film, Fear and Desire), but there are a couple of really cool scenes, including a boxing match.
Great reaction to a great film. Lol that this lost best picture to Redford's Ordinary People. After Hours should also be mentioned when you talk about high Scorsese. Another reason for you boys to do Once Upon a Time in America would be to see another side of Joe Pesci in a mob film. It is a small part (only one extended scene) but he plays a Don Corleone type boss and does it well. Poor Frank Vincent; I'm sure he enjoyed finally beating up and killing Pesci's character in Casino. Jake LaMotta has a cameo role as a bartender in The Hustler, another great film you could do. Pool is a sport, right?
So many films to see, so little time. I became a cinephile later in life. Growing up I watched mainly films that came out year after year. I was a casual filmgoer. I worked at a movie rental place (Hollywood Video) and still only had to be up on the newest movies so I could recommend them to customers. And then, I evolved. And here and now you have me catching up on all the great cinema classics that I've missed out on. It's like when someone has you listen and/or introduces you to your new favorite band. You don't know until you know.
@@MajorProgress Nice of you to take the time to reply. I also worked in a video store when I was a kid. It was a pretty quiet one, so I watched tonnes of stuff. The money I earned there I spent on films! I was looking at film studies courses at uni, but then I went a whole other direction. Anyway, keep up the good work with the reactions!
If you want a good sport orientated film, watch Ron Howard's movie "Rush". This is about the rivalry between racing drivers Niki Lauda and James Hunt, in the Formula one race track in the 1970's.
I've heard this is a good one. I've scene Ford Vs. Ferrari and have never been so "excited" by engine and torque talk scenes followed by intense and also calm, racing scenes!
@@MajorProgress I love "Ford vs Ferrari" very good film on many levels, but if I had to choose for me I would go with Ron Howard's movie "Rush". The racing scenes are great, but the rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda really takes this film to another level. Both are phenomenal characters in their own way, but in light of how dangerous the competition was in the 1970's, you realize how high the stakes really were.
This script seems like its written by someone born in 1890 combined with a boxing enthusiast. Im looking for Frank Sinatra throughout the movie. Its hailed for cinematography and somr acting, but I dont think its really a strong drama.
If I run every day but have never watched Usain Bolt run a marathon... Am I still a runner? Seeing a great movie doesn't make you a filmmaker. Making Movies Does.
The scene with De Niro in the prison cell is one of the most amazing scenes I've ever seen in a movie. Just the degree of anger and despair there was incredible. Prime example of why De Niro is a God.
This whole film is 100% raw.
If you like film, this is the best reaction channel. Thanks guys.
The best Movie reaction Channel on TH-cam Period.
+like
Thank You! 🤝
"You overcook a steak, it defeats its own purpose"
Thanks for this one. It often gets forgotten due to the subject matter, but it's truly a masterpiece. And Deniro's performance is the true definition of throwing oneself into a role.
Just saw this film on the big screen at a local arts college. All I could think about was the level of Deniro's effort in this movie. It's unbelievable.
Martin Scorcese said he filmed it in black-and-white because at that time, he began to realize that older color films had started to fade and didn't want this film ruined decades later. However, he's since filmed every other movie in color.
Raging Bull is a masterpiece. It changed the way I look at cinema.
The opening is filmed from the outside of the ring looking in with the ropes resembling a cage. La Motta shadow boxes alone within the “cage”. You don’t see anyone else in the ring or any spectators faces. La Motta is alone in the cage and the battle is with himself.
Thanks for reviewing. With so many reaction and review channels out there,I truly look forward to Tuesdays and seeing what you have lined up. All these years later,rewatching this movie,what really stands out is just how much influence it has had on characters and dialogue. . I almost forgot how many quotable lines there are in this movie. 👍
I'm surprised you questioned the black & white. Aside from it obviously being an aesthetic that film historian Scorsese grew up with and admires from a creative standpoint, but it's also essential for recapturing what all of those fights actually looked like back in the '40s, when they were filmed in B&W and then shown later on in theatres. It also helps disguise the blood, of course. The carnage doesn't look as shocking, but it's still effective. Scorsese's college pal and regular collaborator from here on out, editor Thelma Schoonmaker, won the first of her three Scorsese Oscars for this. She had won a couple before Scorsese won his first. This was voted the best edited film of all-time in the Top 75 list compiled by the Editor's Guild. Two other of her films with Scorsese made the list as well, including "Goodfellas."
Damn.... We out here not even talking about how brilliant this movie is edited. Thanks for the insight and the reminder. There are always others involved in the building of a Directors' "Genius". His editor Ms. Thelma Schoomaker is not to be left out of the conversation.
WBC (World Boxing Council) was 12 rounds, WBA (World Boxing Association) was 15 rounds.
6:07 Jake was driving home his point about having small hands. Joey's small hands couldn't hurt Jake. Jake's "girly hands" wouldn't hurt Joe Louis.
I sat text to Eddie Mustafa Muhammed who played Billy Fox on a plane ride. He was light heavy champ an a legit great fighter, ironically playing a guy who's fight was fixed. FYI in reality Fox wasn't that bad a fighter but was mob controlled. Also in the scene that Jake wins the title awarding the belt to him is Joe Louis ( which really happened). Playing Louis is Coley Wallace who played Louis in 1953 in the Joe Louis Story.
Next not text
I love how de niro is saying I got no choice is funny
Fantastic reaction.....but that practically was a given!! Major applauding at the classic knock-out shot, where the losing boxer falls to the mat......that was reaction video GOLD! And also during the Robinson beat down section. But also just you guys laughing along with De Niro and Pesci's performances was a blast as well! I remember De Niro putting on all that weight was a HUGE deal at the time.....no actor had done that before. His Oscar was all but guaranteed that year! Him and Dustin Hoffman were already known for going to great lengths for a character, but "Raging Bull" was a totally new benchmark performance....for EVERYBODY, the equivalent of Brando in "A Streetcar Named Desire" 30 years earlier. I can't think of another more influential performance of the last 60 years. Meryl Streep did "Sophie's Choice" a couple of years later, that was the female equivalent of "Raging Bull", another total game changer performance. ALL actors upped their games after "Raging Bull" and "Sophie's Chohice". Scorsese is a TOTAL master in this one, thought, man oh man. It's hard to pick a greatest Scorsese movie. I have favorites. "King Of Comedy" and "After Hours" are close to my heart. But "Raging Bull" is definitely a contender for his "greatest" achievement, no question about it. If his career stopped at "Raging Bull", we'd still be talking about him. THANKS!!!!!!!! What a surprise!!!!
Thank you! Appreciate the comment and the insightful. You're so right. This movie is mind-blowingly amazing on all levels. I have not seen "Street Car..." or "Sophie's Choice" so... Added too the list. I'll watch Meryl Steep read the phone book.
Scorsese and the cinematographer, Michael Chapman, shot the movie in black and white in order to catch the raw energy and brutality associated with boxing. Plus, the MPAA couldn’t stomach over the top blood and gore scenes at the time, so shooting those scenes in black and white prevented the movie from getting something like an X rating.
Casting agent: "Mr. Pesci, even though you're practically a nobody, we're going to cast you opposite Robert De Niro in the very important role of his older brother/manager. You're going to have many one-on-one scenes with Mr. De Niro, who is at the height of his acting powers. Are you sure you're up to the challenge?"
Joe Pesci: "Hold my fuckin' beer."
Damn right you better hold his fuckin' beer, I'll even ask the bartender for a fresh one if he takes more than 20 minutes to get back.
Good reaction. Scorsese is very good at creating charismatic psycho characters that young men identify with, even though everything in the movie says 'this is a wrong 'un'. The Wolf of Wall Street's Jordan Belfort is another one.
Classic tale, on par with Greek mythology. The same drive that made him a great fighter ends up destroying him.
The choice of black and white was due to the boxing. It both was an homage to the classic boxing films of the 40's and 50's and allowed for the violence he wanted. Also, color stocks of that time faded quickly, something that spurred Scorsese both to do this film in black and white and to get involved with film preservation.
I knew we'd get this kind of comment that would explain. Thank You!
Subscribed...with my feet😂
Was watching The Champ the other day and noticed two shots and an entire scene that Scorcesse recreated for this movie
The Champ was 1979 and Raging Bull, 1980. I wonder if the DP/Directors talked or if they had some of the same Camera Ops. That is too close of a timeline to be a "recreation" outright. Maybe a "borrow" or an "I like that! (seeing an early cut and then using it). I could be wrong for sure though. Also, movie shots are kind of like invention patents. If you go back in history you can find multiple instances of two or three people requesting the same patent within 2 to 4 months of each other. And oftentimes not even from the same area. Great minds think alike is what I'm saying.
@@MajorProgress The Champ from 1931 is the one I saw with Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper. Sorry i wasnt specific, wasnt aware there was a 1979 remake.
I've always thought the mob boss, Tommy, was one of Scorsese's best characters - that quiet casual confidence of someone who could have you killed any time he feels like it is really terrifying.
That's Nicholas Costolano Coach from Cheers . He was also in another great boxing movie Fat City. The character is based on Frankie Carbo aka Mr White who ran the mob's control of boxing out of New York
You didn't even appreciate the beautiful intro... OK reaction, thank you...
We touch on it later even though it doesn't make the edit. But we discuss how the opening is a foreshadowing too the final epic fight. It's beautiful though. Again, I can't imagine the amount of haze and perfect lighting needed to achieve that shot. And similar shots.
full of feels
Another great watch guys. Appreciate the extra angles given by you both, especially the slo-mo romaticised shot. The sound levels between the film and yourselves seemed off to me (film quiet, you prominent) or I'm going deaf.
The mix should in general lean towards us, but also if the levels of the movie are lower there is less chance of the review/reaction getting flagged and pulled. We can get flagged on uploads that contain visual and audio of content that we don't own, even if we are not monetizing the video.
Best boxing movie ever is the...The Champ, nae denying!
Cathy Moriarty's also pretty interesting alongside John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd in the 1981 comedy "Neighbors." Overlooked movie, but worth knowing.
Early comment "Psycho WIFE"?.... BTW, this isn't a " boxing movie". Like " The Hustler" isn't about shooting pool. They're vehicles.
And I was born in Brooklyn in 1950...a BIG melting pot full of Italians, Puerto Ricans, Polish, Asians, etc.
Glad you appreciated Scorsese's skills.
A suggestion....watch his extraordinary film "Silence" (Adam Driver, Liam Neeson. GOD is the vehicle.
Scorsese's range is dazzling and yet .....
Well he’s a psycho… husband if you can even call him that, just a psycho completely. I guess I just find the first wife overly shrill for my tastes
If you want to see some of Scorsese's influences for this, check out Kubrick's early "Killer's Kiss". It's mostly a pretty forgettable early film (still miles above his abominable first film, Fear and Desire), but there are a couple of really cool scenes, including a boxing match.
Great reaction to a great film. Lol that this lost best picture to Redford's Ordinary People.
After Hours should also be mentioned when you talk about high Scorsese.
Another reason for you boys to do Once Upon a Time in America would be to see another side of Joe Pesci in a mob film. It is a small part (only one extended scene) but he plays a Don Corleone type boss and does it well.
Poor Frank Vincent; I'm sure he enjoyed finally beating up and killing Pesci's character in Casino.
Jake LaMotta has a cameo role as a bartender in The Hustler, another great film you could do. Pool is a sport, right?
Mean Machine starring Vinnie Jones is decent. A remake of the Longest Yard I believe.
I'm sure someone must've asked this before, but how come Major is a filmmaker, but it seems like he hasn't seen any films?
So many films to see, so little time. I became a cinephile later in life. Growing up I watched mainly films that came out year after year. I was a casual filmgoer. I worked at a movie rental place (Hollywood Video) and still only had to be up on the newest movies so I could recommend them to customers. And then, I evolved. And here and now you have me catching up on all the great cinema classics that I've missed out on. It's like when someone has you listen and/or introduces you to your new favorite band. You don't know until you know.
@@MajorProgress Nice of you to take the time to reply. I also worked in a video store when I was a kid. It was a pretty quiet one, so I watched tonnes of stuff. The money I earned there I spent on films! I was looking at film studies courses at uni, but then I went a whole other direction. Anyway, keep up the good work with the reactions!
I feel like people were a lot more raw in the old days
Michael fuckin' Ballhaus, man...
If you want a good sport orientated film, watch Ron Howard's movie "Rush".
This is about the rivalry between racing drivers Niki Lauda and James Hunt, in the Formula one race track in the 1970's.
I've heard this is a good one. I've scene Ford Vs. Ferrari and have never been so "excited" by engine and torque talk scenes followed by intense and also calm, racing scenes!
@@MajorProgress I love "Ford vs Ferrari" very good film on many levels, but if I had to choose for me I would go with Ron Howard's movie "Rush". The racing scenes are great, but the rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda really takes this film to another level. Both are phenomenal characters in their own way, but in light of how dangerous the competition was in the 1970's, you realize how high the stakes really were.
@@cryptowerewolf1508 I'm adding both to the list. I'll have to ask Richard if he has seen either films.
@@MajorProgress Fantastic, I will look forward to watching both movies. I love both your reactions, and always look forward to your videos.
This script seems like its written by someone born in 1890 combined with a boxing enthusiast. Im looking for Frank Sinatra throughout the movie. Its hailed for cinematography and somr acting, but I dont think its really a strong drama.
I'm told that people born in the 1890's swore a whole lot more than in the movie.
How can you claim to be a film maker having never watched Raging Bull before.
I heard it was required viewing,
according to some imaginary film maker's rulebook...
@@codymoe4986 i smell bullshit.
If I run every day but have never watched Usain Bolt run a marathon... Am I still a runner? Seeing a great movie doesn't make you a filmmaker. Making Movies Does.
@@MajorProgress show me a runner of any standard that has never watched Usain Bolt run. Then and only then your comparison is valid.
If you want another dark boxing movie (I think it's even a little better than Raging Bull) try John Huston's Fat City (1972)
The movie Rocky is fictional, but Raging Bull is based on real events. So respect Jake Lamotta (R.I.P.) from Russia