Film enthusiasts and sports drama fans have a major reason to celebrate this week. Martin Scorsese's acclaimed 1980 masterpiece, 'Raging Bull', has joined the Netflix UK library. The film, widely hailed as one of the finest cinematic achievements of all time, offers a stark contrast to the modern spectacle of celebrity boxing matches.
A Visceral Portrait of a Boxing Legend
The film charts the turbulent life and career of real-life middleweight champion Jake LaMotta, known as the 'Bronx Bull'. Robert De Niro delivers an Oscar-winning performance as LaMotta, embodying the boxer's ferocious physicality in the ring and his deeply flawed, self-destructive nature outside of it. His dedication to the role, including gaining significant weight, remains legendary in film history.
Completing a formidable acting duo, Joe Pesci plays Joey LaMotta, Jake's brother and manager. Their fraught relationship forms the emotional core of the story, illustrating the devastating personal cost of LaMotta's rage and jealousy. The film's stark, gorgeous black-and-white cinematography elevates the brutal fight sequences and intimate dramas into high art.
Critical Acclaim and Lasting Legacy
'Raging Bull' is not merely a popular film; it is enshrined in cinematic history. Upon eligibility, it was swiftly selected for preservation in the US National Film Registry, an honour reserved for culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant works. It also holds a prestigious place in the Criterion Collection, which praises it as "a uniquely powerful exploration of violence" and "one of the truly great and visionary works of modern cinema".
The film's accolades are numerous. At the 53rd Academy Awards, it was nominated for eight Oscars, with De Niro winning Best Actor and Thelma Schoonmaker winning for Best Editing. Furthermore, in the prestigious Sight and Sound poll of the greatest films ever made, 'Raging Bull' ranks 22nd according to directors' votes, cementing its status among filmmaking peers.
Where to Stream the Classic
For viewers in the UK, accessing this landmark film is now straightforward. 'Raging Bull' is available to stream in its entirety on Netflix. This presents a perfect opportunity for a new generation to experience Scorsese's raw direction and De Niro's transformative performance, or for long-time fans to revisit the brutal poetry of LaMotta's story.
The film's arrival on the platform serves as a potent reminder of the power of cinema to explore complex themes of violence, ambition, and redemption, far beyond the confines of a sports genre.
