When Paul Schrader was working on the script, he put in numerous shocking moments, such as Jake LaMotta masturbating and dipping his penis into a bucket of ice. Schrader later admitted that the film held less personal significance to him than it did for Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese, and he added the shocking material just to see what he could get past the studio. However, the studio had just seen a change in management, and was getting uncomfortable with a movie about an unsympathetic boxer filled with violence and constant profanity. After some discussions, the masturbation was cut and, instead of putting his penis into the ice, LaMotta poured the ice down his underwear.

Film

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