Martin Scorsese repeatedly rejected Robert De Niro’s dream. In 1980, it became a masterpiece
Robert De Niro kept urging Martin Scorsese to make a film about boxer Jake LaMotta, whose autobiography he had read while filming The Godfather: Part II. Scorsese initially rejected the idea, reportedly saying boxing was boring, but later came to see the story as a study of anger, regret and the human condition.
The film, Raging Bull, was released in 1980 and follows LaMotta’s decline amid personal turmoil and self-destructive behaviour. De Niro won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance, now widely regarded as one of his finest. The article also notes the long friendship between De Niro and Al Pacino, who praised the role as one of cinema’s greatest performances.
- De Niro persuaded Scorsese to revisit LaMotta’s story.
- Raging Bull became a study of more than boxing.
- De Niro won an Oscar for the role.
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Jake LaMotta was an American professional boxer who became world middleweight champion in 1949. His autobiography described his career alongside the anger, jealousy and troubled relationships that affected his life outside the ring.
Robert De Niro read the book while working on The Godfather: Part II and wanted to play LaMotta in a film directed by Martin Scorsese. The two had worked together before and went on to make several films as collaborators.
Released in 1980, Raging Bull portrays LaMotta’s boxing career and personal decline. It is known for De Niro’s performance and for using a sports story to explore the effects of violence and self-destructive behaviour.