TCFHE Press Release: Raging Bull (Blu-ray)

“I REMEMBER THOSE CHEERS. THEY STILL RING IN MY EARS…”

RAGING BULL


Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-Winning Masterpiece Triumphs Onto Blu-ray Disc With Even Greater Unflinching Realism February 10 >From MGM Home Entertainment

“...brilliantly photographed film of extraordinary power and rare distinction..."
- The Wall Street Journal

CENTURY CITY, Calif. – Experience a boxer’s emotional journey, as the violence and temper that made him a champion inside the ring destroy his life outside of it, when Raging Bull rings onto visually stunning Blu-ray Disc (BD) for the first time on February 10 from MGM Home Entertainment. Raging Bull garnered eight Academy Award nominations, taking home Oscars for Best Actor in a Leading Role (DeNiro) and Best Film Editing (Thelma Schoonmaker). Nominated for Best Cinematography as well, the Blu-ray disc presents Michael Chapman’s beautiful black and white photography as never before. Claiming the number one ranking spot on AFI’s “Top Ten Sports Films of All Time,” director Martin Scorsese (Taxi Driver, Goodfellas) recounts the gritty and emotionally unsettling career and personal life of tenacious boxer Jake LaMotta. Robert DeNiro (The Godfather II, Meet the Parents) delivers a knockout performance, portraying the rise and fall of the middleweight boxer, including his prizefighting victories of the 1940s, his dealings with the mob and the destruction of his marriage, his family and himself. Co-starring, are Oscar winner* Joe Pesci (My Cousin Vinny, Once Upon a Time In America,), as LaMotta’s manager and brother and Cathy Moriarty (Casper, Analyze That), as LaMotta’s abused and alienated wife.

The Raging Bull Blu-ray Disc includes director, cast and crew commentary, making-of documentaries, and much more. It will be available for the suggested retail price of $34.99 U.S. / $37.99 Canada, pre-book is January 14.

* 1991 Academy Award – Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Goodfellas

Raging Bull Synopsis:
Robert DeNiro teams with director Martin Scorsese in this "extraordinarily compelling" (Leonard Maltin) film that introduced unflinching realism to stunned audiences in 1980. An "exceedingly violent as well as poetic" fight picture that maps "the landscape of the soul" (The New York Times), Raging Bull garnered eight Oscar® nominations* and won two, including Best Actor for DeNiro. DeNiro gives the performance of his career as Jake LaMotta, a boxer whose psychological and sexual complexities erupt into violence both in and out of the ring. Joe Pesci and Cathy Moriarty are unforgettable as the brother who falls prey to Jake's mounting paranoia and jealousy, and the fifteen-year-old girl who becomes his most prized trophy. A "brilliantly photographed film of extraordinary power and rare distinction" (The Wall Street Journal), Raging Bull is filmmaking at its riveting best.

Special Features:
The Raging Bull Blu-ray Disc is presented in widescreen (1.85:1) with English Dolby Surround 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio. Bonus features include:
· Commentary by Director Martin Scorsese and Editor Thelma Schoonmaker
· Cast & Crew Commentary – Irwin Winkler, Robbie Robertson, Robert Chartoff, Theresa Saldana, John Turturro, Frank Warner, Michael Chapman and Cis Corman
· Storyteller Commentary – with Mardik Martin, Paul Schrader, Jason Lustig and Jake LaMotta
· Raging Bull: Before the Fight – The writing casting and pre-production
· Raging Bull: Inside the Ring – The choreography of the fight scenes
· Raging Bull: Outside the Ring – Behind the scenes stories of making the film
· Raging Bull: After the Fight – The sound design, the music, and the impact of the film
· “The Bronx Bull” – Making-of documentary
· DeNiro vs. LaMotta – Shot – by – shot comparison in the ring
· LaMotta Defends Title – Newsreel footage
· Original theatrical trailer

RAGING BULL BLU-RAY DISC
Street Date: February 10, 2009
Prebook Date: January 14, 2009
Price: $34.99 U.S. / $37.99 Canada
Catalog Number: M113514
U.S. Rating: R
Total Run Time: 125 minutes
Closed Captioned: Yes