LaMotta was a bully, through and through.

The film may be kinder to LaMotta than he deserves, as the boxer was consulted during both the writing and production stages of the film, but Raging Bull more than earns its distinction as one of the best American films ever made. Then unknown actor Joe Pesci was cast as Jake's brother Joey LaMotta, and Pesci suggested Cathy Moriarty to play Jake's second wife Vickie. Before shooting began, Scorsese and De Niro made further revisions to the script, but remain uncredited due to writer's guild guidelines. Scorsese was initially reluctant to make the film, but related to LaMotta's troubles after struggling with drug addiction and being encouraged by De Niro and others to kick his cocaine habit. There is plenty of drama surrounding 'the Bronx Bull,' and Paul Schrader was called on to revise Mardik Martin's original screenplay after United Artists balked.

Positively electrifying if occasionally exhausting, Martin Scorsese's Raging Bull is based on American boxer Jake LaMotta's memoir and features a career-defining performance from Robert De Niro as the deeply flawed athlete.

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