Blu-ray Review: Raging Bull

My copy was bogus, but I believe it is a fluke

By: Brad Brevet
Published: Tuesday, February 24th 2009 at 1:49 AM

I must have received a faulty disc when it comes to Fox's Raging Bull Blu-ray and a request for a replacement fell on deaf ears as I looked around the Internet only to find no other reviewers had the same problem. Nevertheless, my disc comes with a discolored vertical strip just inside the right hand side that is visible throughout all HD related features on the disc including the menu screen and the film itself. It was one of the most distracting flaws on a disc I have ever encountered and pretty much makes the release worthless to me, but I will review the title as if it wasn't there from this point forward since it appears my copy is unique in this respect. I simply wanted to get that disclaimer out of the way early and let you know if you have the same problem you aren't alone.

I have never been a huge Raging Bull fan, certainly not to the extent of so many that believe it was snubbed at the 1981 Oscars and should have won Best Picture instead of Ordinary People. While I can agree Ordinary People probably shouldn't have won my vote would have gone for Lynch's The Elephant Man before Raging Bull, but that doesn't mean I don't like this movie, I just think it gets a little too much praise. Then again, this isn't exactly a film you are supposed to necessarily like, at least not in the way you like a film such as Rocky.

Rocky is an uplifting sports story, Raging Bull is a down in the trenches brawl centered on a man you don't really like. It is filled with some spectacular visuals and I would say Michael Chapman's work as DP not getting the Oscar is more of a snub than the Best Picture category. I would also place high praise on the sound in this picture as it occasionally seems as if Godzilla is boxing in that ring and it works every single time, especially when coupled with the moments of silence. In my opinion Raging Bull is more a technical marvel, but then again simplifying it to such a degree seems wrong as the features quickly point out.

The supplemental material on this release carry everything over from the 2005 2-disc special edition DVD release including the documentary, a three-part audio commentary and a trio of other featurettes. All are presented in standard definition and all are worth a watch. Most enjoyable of all the features is anytime Scorsese's longtime editor companion Thelma Schoonmaker is speaking. She is also included on the commentary with Scorsese and she is just a joy to listen to. The two have been working together for so many years and they seem to be extensions of one another, she adds so much to these features and makes it a lot of fun to listen to and there are moments where she even finds herself brought to tears. It's really good stuff.

Outside of the visual flaw I mention in the opening, the transfer here is immaculate and I have an assumption I was simply sent a flawed disc as online screen captures from this release show nothing of the flaw I have on my disc. To go along with the picture Fox has included a DTS audio track that takes full advantage of the fantastic work put into this production. The visuals and sound implemented in this film are two major achievements and this release takes full advantage.

I can only assume most of you out there have already seen this movie and have an opinion as to whether you would buy it or not and are simply reading to see if a high-definition upgrade is worth it. I believe this is the best this film has ever looked and I even compared it to my 2005 copy and it is certainly an improvement. It all comes down to whether you like the film or not. If you haven't seen it and are interested because you think this is a "boxing film" you may want to think a bit further on it because this is much more than a boxing film. If you haven't seen it and are interested because you love character studies and classic film then you are more likely to appreciate it. Raging Bull is not a boxing film, it is a decent into a very dark place and it doesn't necessarily leave you feeling good after you visit. It is well made, but just not particularly a favorite of mine. However, that doesn't mean I'm not glad I own it.

For a look at some screen captures from the Blu-ray click here.