Original Release Date
November 14, 1980
Rotten Tomatoes
92%
Letterboxd Score
4.3/5
Official Synopsis
Based on the memoir of middleweight boxer Jake LaMotta, Scorsese’s visceral character study follows the "Bronx Bull" (Robert De Niro) through his rise in the boxing world and his self-destructive descent into personal isolation. Fueled by uncontrollable jealousy and sexual paranoia, LaMotta’s animalistic rage in the ring is mirrored by the wreckage of his personal life, specifically his relationship with his brother Joey (Joe Pesci) and his wife Vickie (Cathy Moriarty). It is a haunting exploration of guilt, penance, and the fragility of the human spirit.
The Combatants
- Robert De Niro: Jake LaMotta
- Joe Pesci: Joey LaMotta
- Cathy Moriarty: Vickie LaMotta
- Frank Vincent: Salvy
- Nicholas Colasanto: Tommy Como
- Theresa Saldana: Lenore
The Architects
- Director: Martin Scorsese
- Writers: Paul Schrader & Mardik Martin
- Cinematography: Michael Chapman
- Editing: Thelma Schoonmaker
- Sound Design: Frank Warner
The Official Trailer
The Accolades
- 🏆 Academy Award Winner: Best Actor (Robert De Niro) and Best Film Editing.
- ✨ AFI Legacy: Ranked #4 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies (10th Anniversary).
- 📽️ National Film Registry: Selected for preservation in 1990 in its first year of eligibility.
Vault Intelligence
- Robert De Niro famously gained 60 pounds to play the older, bloated LaMotta—a feat that halted production for four months and reportedly caused the actor respiratory issues.
- To distinguish the boxing sequences, Scorsese and Michael Chapman used different film stocks and variable camera speeds, ensuring no two fights looked the same.
- The "blood" in the boxing scenes was actually chocolate syrup, which showed up more vividly on the high-contrast black-and-white film.
Film Specifications
| Financial Backing | $18 Million Budget |
| Theatrical Earnings | $23 Million (Domestic Gross) |
| Cinematic Format | 35mm / 1.85:1 Spherical (Black & White) |
Retrospective Pending
"Ray’s full 2026 Northstar analysis for this uncompromising masterpiece is currently being restored from the vault."
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The Ultimate Tragedy
