Martin Scorsese’sboxing drama masterpieceRaging Bullhas long been revered by critics asnot only one of the best sports or Scorsese films, but as one of the greatest films of all time.It’s a combination of deft character work exploring the broken psychology of real-life prize-fighter Jake LaMotta, andbeautiful black-and-white cinematography that highlights the brutality of the sportthat makes for quite the cinematic experience. However, were all of those boxing scenes merely movie magic to makeRobert De Nirolook like he could slug it out like LaMotta, or did De Niro actually train in the sweet science of how to land a blow in preparation for the film?
Robert De Niro Trained With Jake LaMotta For ‘Raging Bull’
Not only did Robert De Niro, in fact, learn how to box in order to play LaMotta, but he apparentlywent well above and beyond the basics. This comes straight from the mouth ofLaMotta, who has professed that he himself worked and sparred with De Niro. During an episode of theYouth of Honor YOHCast from 2009,LaMotta claimed that he boxed “over 1000 rounds” with the actorwho was to play him, and went on to praise his talents in the ring, claiming “he could’ve fought professionally.” “I trained him very hard,” LaMotta went on to say, noting that De Niro “was afraid to box with me at first, then I told him he could hit me. It doesn’t matter, I could take it, and we trained for a lot of rounds together.” Boxing training doesn’t get much better than with a former middleweight champion of the world, let alone the former middleweight champion who De Niro was tasked to play,allowing him to also get up close and personal with LaMotta’s fighting style and learn his in-ring mannerisms.
How Jake LaMotta Really Felt After Watching Martin Scorsese’s ‘Raging Bull’
Even though he wrote the memoir ‘Raging Bull,’ Jake LaMotta was surprised at his portrayal on-screen.
Robert De Niro Allegedly Fought In Preparation For ‘Raging Bull’
To take this level of dedication to even greater heights, there are accounts stating thatRobert De Niro actually stepped into the ringin preparing to play LaMotta. There have long been stories thatDe Niro fought in three amateur bouts in Brooklyn, coming out victorious in two.While these tales have occasionally been disputed over the years (given that there is no official record of the fights),thiswould track with LaMotta’s high praise for De Niro’s skillsand his assertion that he had the makings of an actual fighter.It would also have provided invaluable insight into the mind and anxieties of a prize-fighter that De Niro would have needed in order toconvincingly get into characterduring the vicious boxing sequences.
Robert De Niro’s Commitment Added To The Final Film
Robert De Niro’s willingness to truly commit himself to this role is an examplenot only of his respect for both the sport of boxing, but for the art of acting.The owner of the gym in which De Niro trained,Bruce Silverglade, spokeabout De Niro (andHillary Swank, who trained there forMillion Dollar Baby) thathe worked “harder than most of the actors that come here.”He also pointed out that “they got into the psyche of boxing and how we live.” De Niro’s undertaking of this task, his going the extra mile to improve his ability and to make the boxing scenes as authentic as possible, adds so much to the final film. It is one of his finest performances, with the barely-contained rage, self-hate, and self-consciousness of Jake LaMotta all coming through brilliantly. Not to mention his physicality in the boxing scenes andhis (evidently hard-earned) ability to look like a real boxer makes thealmost barbaric natureof some of those scenesincredibly effective.
There are many reasons why Robert De Niro is considered one of the all-time great actors — be ithis versatility, his extensive career, or his charm that can provide a mask for a character’s inner demons.One thing that must also be considered, however, ishis intense dedication to his craft,and this was on full display in not only his physical transformation forRaging Bull, but his commitment to learning the art of boxing to more convincingly portray the tough and real-life iconic slugger, Jake LaMotta.
Raging Bullis streaming on Max in the U.S.
Raging Bull
Directed by Martin Scorsese, Raging Bull is a 1980 sports drama based on the rise and fall of real-life boxer Jake LaMotta as he strives for success while dealing with his inner demons and his violent temper. Robert De Niro stars as the middleweight champion, with Joe Pesci, Cathy Moriarty, and Nicholas Colasanto in supporting roles.
Watch on Max
