Raging Bull (1980)In this presentation, I will be explaining the opening to Raging Bull.

The opening starts with calming music along with shots of the boxer warming up and shadow boxing in the ring. This is used to try and put the audience in the boxers mind, which presented in a sense of being relaxed and focused on what he's doing.

The music also brings elegance and beauty to the sport although it has physical contact. The director creates this effect to imply the beauty through the characters eyes and show his devotion to the sport.

The boxer is seen walking up and down the ring implying he's waiting for his opponent and gives emphasis on the idea of him staying in focus and only thinking about the fight. This again shows the seriousness of his character and his compelling attitude in what he does.

The colour of the opening is in black and white showing that this is a story from the past, which gives the audience a better understanding of this time and narrative. The film is based on a true story, so the director has used this colour to make it more believable and like a real accurate story. This colour is also used for the audience because at this time black and white was the only colour in television. I think the director is trying to recreate this effect for the audience to see the film the way it would be presented in that period.

The sequence is a long take with only an extreme long shot used to create the idea that you are sitting in the audience witnessing this fight as you can see the crowd at the same level on the other side.