What makes Raging Bull different visually from many boxing films?
Raging Bull (1980) distinguishes itself from many other boxing films primarily through its stunning black-and-white cinematography, captured by Michael Chapman.1
While many sports films of the era utilized color, Scorsese’s choice to film in black-and-white contributed to the movie's reputation as a "brutal but beautiful" essay on violence. Beyond its visual aesthetic, the film is noted for its meticulous re-creation of 1940s New York City, which serves as a gritty backdrop for the self-destructive life of middleweight champion Jake La Motta.1
Additionally, Scorsese is widely recognized for his signature use of the subjective camera to immerse the audience in a character's distorted perspective, a technique that enhances the visceral, psychological nature of his storytelling.2