91Èȱ¬

In December 1980, Raging Bull, believed by some to be the greatest sports film of all time, was released. Thirty years on from the film's premiere, 91Èȱ¬ Radio 5 Live Sport celebrates Martin Scorsese's masterpiece, with The Story Of Raging Bull.

Speaking to Mark Chapman, Martin Scorsese tells the story behind the film and how, at first, he had no interest in making the film despite his pal Robert De Niro's insistence on its potential, and how it eventually came about: "The book Raging Bull was interesting but it was rather conventional I thought, so I wasn't really interested."

He continues: "Finally a script was written by Paul Schrader, then we were able to rework that and that's when ultimately I clicked with the material and began to see what he saw in it and what Bob De Niro saw in me directing it."

In an interview with Mike Costello, 'The Bronx Bull' Jake La Motta, whose life the film documents, reminisces about his boxing career and shares his thoughts about the film, and in particular about De Niro who he describes as "more me than me" after fighting over 1,000 rounds with the actor in preparation for the role.

La Motta also recites the scene from On The Waterfront, which was famously delivered in the film by De Niro.

Mike Costello also spoke with light welterweight fighter Paulie Malignaggi who discusses the impact the film had on him and the ongoing demise of the Italian-American boxing culture.

The Story Of Raging Bull will be broadcast on 91Èȱ¬ Radio 5 live on Tuesday 21 December between 9.30pm and 10.30pm.

Radio 5 Live Publicity