(Credits: Far Out / YouTube Still)
Mon 30 June 2025 19:45, UK
Many have debated about the greatest performances of all time, with strong contenders coming from all eras of Hollywood in the form of Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson or Viola Davis.
You can often tell the makings of a truly outstanding performance from the very beginning, with an actor giving everything to an all-consuming performance that exceeds anything you’ve ever seen before, leaving you completely awestruck by the depths of their talent and wondering how it was possible.
But while it might be an argument as old as time, perhaps there is finally a definitive answer now that one of the greats has chimed in about their musings on the subject, with Al Pacino describing the greatest performance of all time.
Some measure a great performance by the physical transformation of the actor, with the likes of Joaquin Phoenix, Hilary Swank and Christian Bale being praised for their commitment to losing weight or embodying the physique of fighters, dancers and psychopaths. But there are others who would argue differently, saying that a great performance can be best determined through biopics where the actor is reflecting a real-life person, with audiences being able to test the ‘accuracy’ of their performance by comparing it to real footage of them.
However, most would say that a truly great performance comes from the emotional depths that the actors plunge into in order to immerse themselves in a character, but also when in combination with these other elements, something that Robert de Niro achieved through his portrayal of Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull.
Directed in 1980 by the equally great Martin Scorsese, Raging Bull is a true masterclass on filmmaking and performance, with De Niro’s portrayal of a frenzied and violent boxer coming to life in terrifying ways as we watch an athlete become consumed by their sport. It’s one of the most visceral performances of all time, something that is only heightened by the frenetic shooting style and Scorsese’s unflinching perspective.
However, while many people go back and forth about which actors have truly given their all to a character, many are in agreement about the force of De Niro’s performance and the lengths he goes to, with Pacino wholeheartedly agreeing and describing it as one of the best of all time. When asked about his favourite performance of all time, Pacino said, “I mean, there’s just so much. I just saw Casino the other night, and it’s staggering and beautiful. But I guess the greatest, probably one of the greatest performances in film history, is his Raging Bull. Beyond belief.”
Bottom line is, it seems as though Pacino is De Niro’s greatest fan, with the pair often crushing on each other’s filmographies and expressing their admiration for the other. This flatters them both greatly considering that two of the greats both think the other is better, showing that despite all the acclaim, they still aim for heights set by other people and aspire to constantly improve. But perhaps we can say that Raging Bull is the ultimate performance of all time, even if some have to agree to disagree.
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