WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Raging Bull
Genre:Drama

Reviewed In Issue 03 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 4.5
Sound Rating: 3
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
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Supplementals
The Criterion CAV edition features the usual splendid supplements: stills, shooting script, storyboards, film clips and other material along with Scorsese’s and film editor Thelma Schoonmaker’s spoken commentary. This is a powerful study of the art of filmmaking.

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Criterion Collection
(Catalog Number): CC1230L
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $124.95
(Running Time In Minutes): 128
(Color Type): Black & White
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): No
(Theatrical Release): 1980
(LD Release Date): 12/01/90
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Martin Scorsese
(Screenplay/Written By): Paul Schrader & Mardik Martin
(Story): NA
(Music): Pietro Mascagni
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Gene Rudolf
(Visual Effects): Modern Film Effects, Movie Magic & EFX Unlimited
(Costume Designer): Richard Bruno
(Editor): Thelma Schoonmaker
(Supervising Sound Editors): Frank Warner
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): NA
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Irwin Winkler & Robert Cartoff In Association With Peter Savage

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital):
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Martin Scorsese’s 1980 boxing ring extravaganza, is based on the book by middleweight champion Jake LaMotta. DeNiro stars in a legendary performance as LaMotta along with an Oscar®-winning performance by Pesci as Joey, his guardian younger brother. DeNiro is seen first as the fighting fit young contender at his prime, followed by a 60 pound overweight LaMotta through the years of his decline (DeNiro actually put on the weight). This is a film about dreams, loneliness and the frustration LaMotta suffers from his inability to reconcile himself either to Joey or his wife (Cathy Moriarty).

LaserDisc Picture:
The transfer at 1.85:1 is pristine with superior contrast and excellent shadow detail.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The stereo soundstage is subdued and atmospheric with a dialogue track that sounds a bit harsh. There is no surround sound field to really pull you into the scenes. Instead the experience is that of a documentary you watch rather than that of being there in the ring.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
(Aggressive System Surround):
(Intense 25Hz Bass):
(Deep Bass Challenging):
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield):
(Aggressive Split Surround):
(Center Back Surround Imaging):
(Directionalized Dialogue):
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: