Robert De Niro Broke Joe Pesci’s Rib During an Improvised Fight Scene in Raging Bull—Here’s What Happened! ( Photo Credit – Facebook )
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Have you ever heard of method acting? Try getting your rib broken for a role! That’s precisely what happened on the set of Raging Bull, where Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci threw actual punches to nail the fierce chemistry of the LaMotta brothers. De Niro went for a hit in one intense sparring scene, and Pesci ended up with a cracked rib! But don’t worry, folks—the pain made the final cut. Now, that’s what we call dedication!
Now, Raging Bull isn’t just about boxing; it’s a brutal reflection on toxic masculinity and the demons we all wrestle with. When Jake LaMotta saw the film, he turned to his ex-wife, Vikki, and asked, “Was I like that?” Her response? “You were worse.” Oof! Talk about a truth bomb.
The journey to making this film was anything but smooth. Scorsese was hesitant to take on a sports flick, having zero interest in boxing. But De Niro, with his relentless charm, pulled him in, leading Scorsese to watch matches for inspiration. He was drawn to the gory visuals—blood on the ropes and sweat-soaked sponges. Classic!
De Niro didn’t just get inspired; he transformed. He trained for months, even sparring with LaMotta himself. They went a thousand rounds! LaMotta believed De Niro had what it took to be a real contender—can you imagine?
Behind the camera, Scorsese was grappling with his demons, battling addiction, and feeling like this film could make or break him. But, with De Niro’s push, he cleaned up and channeled that energy into this iconic masterpiece. Oh, and forget multiple cameras—Scorsese insisted on one to capture every raw moment, making it feel like you were right there in the ring!
So, next time you dive into Raging Bull, remember the broken ribs, the blood, and the genius behind the chaos. It’s a fight worth watching!
