The life story of middleweight boxing contender Jake LaMotta, from his beginning in the grimy gyms of New York in the early Sixties, through his brief triumphs to his eventual retirement, reduced to acting as a stand-up comedian and compere in sleazy clubs. Aside from his fierce reputation in the ring, LaMotta's violence followed him outside, causing him to attack both friends and enemies alike, as well as the women in his life. Eventually winning two Oscars (Best Actor for De Niro and Best Editing) out of seven nominations, Scorsese's movie is a gruelling experience, with a cast of not particularly likable (but stunningly played) characters getting involved in savagery both inside and outside the ring. The excellent black and white photography by Michael Chapman probably makes it bearable. De Niro's regime of piling on the pounds to show LaMotta's fat and bloated later years just shows the dedication to his craft the actor has. Unmissable but often hard to watch.