Raging Bull: An Example of Stellar Editing

Martin Scorsese's Raging Bull is more than just a good story. Rather, it is a film which demonstrates just how vital editing is to capturing the essence of a scene both in what is actually happening in the scene as well as the emotions it elicits.

While there are many examples that capture the powerful utilization of editing in Raging Bull, some of the best take place in the boxing ring. Although, for a movie about a boxer, there are not that many boxing sequences, the few that occur are exceptional. Among these, one the best occurs during Jake LaMatts's climatic fight with Sugar Ray Robinson. That is, the scene in which LaMatta loses his title.

One impressive element of editing in this scene is the cutting of the scenes in order to enhance the speed of the fight. As Sugar Ray begins to get the advantage in the fight, the series of punches he throws are achieved by several short cuts which seem to be sped up in order to capture the intensity of the blows LaMatta receives. This is followed by an incredible interesting use of slow motion shots which definitely add to the suspense of the scene. As LaMatta is pinned to the ropes, Sugar Ray advances toward him in slow motion. The viewer knows that LaMatta is about to get pounded and that there is nothing he can do to prevent it. The slow motion continues as Sugar Ray throws the first jarring punch, knocking the sweat off LaMatta's body. After this the scene alternates between slow motion and high speed punches. The intensity of the fight emphasized even more as the shots rapidly cut to extreme close ups of LaMatta's face, his wife anguishing in the audiences, the blood pouring down his legs, etc.

LaMatta’s last fight—and all the boxing scenes for that matter—are unique from other boxing films due to Scorsese’s insistence on editing the scene in such a way that the audience feel like fighters in the ring rather than spectators to the fight. For most of the scene, we see the boxer who is taking the punches rather than both Lamatta and Sugar Ray throwing punches at each other. This adds to the intimacy and engagement with the film that surpasses what happens outside of the boxing ring. In other words, the editing has a way of connecting one with LaMatta's character so that one roots for him in spite of his glaring personality flaws.

Raging Bull certainly is not what you'd call a "feel-good movie" but that does not mean it is devoid of emotion. In fact, the editing is used so masterfully that it is possibly one of the most emotional expressive films I have ever seen.

Take a look for yourself...