Incredible Editing

Rating: 10/10 (14 May 2005)

When I first saw "Raging Bull", I had been video editing for about 8 years for WGBH-TV in Boston. Raging Bull not only validated every belief I ever had of what editing should be, but it also opened a "new door" for me. It showed me that a good edit pulls you in - not only to the story but makes you part of it. You live in the film and you're that "fly on the wall," taking in all the facts and the nuances. I think one of the greatest actors with nuances has got to be Dinero - I just watch his face and then it's like you know what he's thinking - he's so good! What I learned from this film is to slow down, allow people to really look at what you're trying to show them - Dinero's subtle gestures are not lost in the edit. Don't overpower the viewer with fast cuts or explosive music - sometimes the natural sounds, like the pounding a heartbeat or the raspy breathing as a fighters pulls on "everything he's got," are the most effective. Everything about Raging Bull is so great - the story, the writing, the direction, the camera, but the editing - the editing is inspiring - she allows us to really see what's going on and to hear it. The editor is such an incredible talent!!!