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'''''Rocky''''' is a [[1976 in film|1976]] [[film]] written by and starring [[Sylvester Stallone]] and directed by [[John G. Avildsen]]. It tells the rags-to-riches [[American Dream]] story of [[Rocky Balboa (character)|Rocky Balboa]], a slightly dim-witted, but good-hearted debt collector for a [[loan shark]] in [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]] with a talent for [[boxing]], who gets a shot at the [[World Heavyweight Championship|world heavyweight]] title. Also starring in ''Rocky'' are [[Talia Shire]] as Adrian, [[Burt Young]] as Adrian's brother, Paulie, [[Burgess Meredith]] as Mickey Goldmill, his trainer, and [[Carl Weathers]] as Rocky's opponent [[Apollo Creed]].
'''''Rocky''''' is a fucking awesome [[1976 in film|1976]] [[film]] written by and starring [[Sylvester Stallone]] and directed by [[John G. Avildsen]]. It tells the rags-to-riches [[American Dream]] story of [[Rocky Balboa (character)|Rocky Balboa]], a slightly dim-witted, but good-hearted debt collector for a [[loan shark]] in [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]] with a talent for [[boxing]], who gets a shot at the [[World Heavyweight Championship|world heavyweight]] title. Also starring in ''Rocky'' are [[Talia Shire]] as Adrian, [[Burt Young]] as Adrian's brother, Paulie, [[Burgess Meredith]] as Mickey Goldmill, his trainer, and [[Carl Weathers]] as Rocky's opponent [[Apollo Creed]].


The film, made for a low budget of only $1.1 million,<ref name = "Rocky Budget">{{cite web| title = Rocky Budget | url = http://www.filmsite.org/rock.html| accessdate = 24 August| accessyear = 2006}}</ref> and shot relatively fast in 28 days, was a [[sleeper hit]]; it made over US $117.2 million,<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.amug.org/~scrnsrc/top_grossing_movies_adj.html|accessdate = 23 September|accessyear = 2006|title = Rocky Movie Gross @ Screen Source}}</ref> won three [[Academy Awards|Oscars]] and garnered mostly positive reviews which helped to launch Stallone's career.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.bravotv.com/Inside_the_Actors_Studio/guests/Sylvester_Stallone.shtml|title = Inside the Actors Studio with Sylvester Stallone|accessdate = 28 September|accessyear = 2006}}</ref> It spawned five sequels, ''Rocky [[Rocky II|II]], [[Rocky III|III]], [[Rocky IV|IV]], [[Rocky V|V]]'' and ''[[Rocky Balboa (film)|Rocky Balboa]]'' (released on [[December 20]]th [[2006]]).<ref name = "Balboa">{{cite web|title = Rocky Balboa Release Date |url = http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/news/ap/20051018/112964406000.html|accessdate = 24 August| accessyear = 2006}}</ref>
The film, made for a low budget of only $1.1 million,<ref name = "Rocky Budget">{{cite web| title = Rocky Budget | url = http://www.filmsite.org/rock.html| accessdate = 24 August| accessyear = 2006}}</ref> and shot relatively fast in 28 days, was a [[sleeper hit]]; it made over US $117.2 million,<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.amug.org/~scrnsrc/top_grossing_movies_adj.html|accessdate = 23 September|accessyear = 2006|title = Rocky Movie Gross @ Screen Source}}</ref> won three [[Academy Awards|Oscars]] and garnered mostly positive reviews which helped to launch Stallone's career.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.bravotv.com/Inside_the_Actors_Studio/guests/Sylvester_Stallone.shtml|title = Inside the Actors Studio with Sylvester Stallone|accessdate = 28 September|accessyear = 2006}}</ref> It spawned five sequels, ''Rocky [[Rocky II|II]], [[Rocky III|III]], [[Rocky IV|IV]], [[Rocky V|V]]'' and ''[[Rocky Balboa (film)|Rocky Balboa]]'' (released on [[December 20]]th [[2006]]).<ref name = "Balboa">{{cite web|title = Rocky Balboa Release Date |url = http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/news/ap/20051018/112964406000.html|accessdate = 24 August| accessyear = 2006}}</ref>

Revision as of 01:25, 21 December 2006

For other uses, see Rocky (disambiguation).
Rocky
Original Rocky movie poster, it depicts Rocky with Adrian after the fight. This shot was taken by Stallone's first wife and was intended to be the original final scene[1]
Directed byJohn G. Avildsen
Written bySylvester Stallone
Produced byRobert Chartoff
Irwin Winkler
StarringSylvester Stallone
Talia Shire
Burt Young
Carl Weathers
Burgess Meredith
Edited byRichard Halsey
Scott Conrad
Music byBill Conti
Distributed byUnited Artists
Release dates
November 21st, 1976
Running time
119 min.
LanguageEnglish
BudgetUS$1,100,000

Rocky is a fucking awesome 1976 film written by and starring Sylvester Stallone and directed by John G. Avildsen. It tells the rags-to-riches American Dream story of Rocky Balboa, a slightly dim-witted, but good-hearted debt collector for a loan shark in Philadelphia with a talent for boxing, who gets a shot at the world heavyweight title. Also starring in Rocky are Talia Shire as Adrian, Burt Young as Adrian's brother, Paulie, Burgess Meredith as Mickey Goldmill, his trainer, and Carl Weathers as Rocky's opponent Apollo Creed.

The film, made for a low budget of only $1.1 million,[2] and shot relatively fast in 28 days, was a sleeper hit; it made over US $117.2 million,[3] won three Oscars and garnered mostly positive reviews which helped to launch Stallone's career.[4] It spawned five sequels, Rocky II, III, IV, V and Rocky Balboa (released on December 20th 2006).[5]

Production

Sylvester Stallone's original concept for Rocky was inspired by his viewing of a fight between Muhammad Ali and Chuck Wepner.[1] The idea of an underdog boxer going the distance and putting up a fierce fight against all odds appealed to Stallone. Stallone then wrote a screenplay entitled Paradise Alley. After reading the script, producers Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff invited Stallone to meet them. Stallone brought up his idea for Rocky; Chartoff was impressed with the concept and he and Winkler agreed to support Stallone financially while he wrote the script; with the understanding that they would get to see it first.

Certain elements of the story were altered during filming, however. The original script had a much darker tone -- Mickey Goldmill, Rocky's trainer, was portrayed as very racist, and the script ended with Rocky throwing the fight after realizing he did not want to be part of the professional boxing world after all.[1]

Although Winkler and Chartoff were very enthusiastic about the script, they were, at first, somewhat hesitant to allow Stallone to play the main character. The producers also had trouble casting other key characters in the story. The parts of Adrian and Apollo Creed were cast very late by production standards (although both were cast on the same day). According to The Rocky Scrapbook, Carrie Snodgress was originally chosen to play Adrian, but a money dispute forced the producers to look elsewhere. Talia Shire's audition impressed both the producers and Stallone, who believed her appearance, acting and even voice fitted the part of Adrian perfectly. The character of Apollo Creed initially went to Ken Norton, but when he pulled out, Carl Weathers auditioned. Impressed with Weathers' attitude, body, and voice, Stallone, along with Avildsen, Chartoff and Winkler insisted that he play the part.[1]

Garrett Brown's Steadicam, a camera attached to a weighted system of pulleys so that it would not shake while its operator ran, was used for the first time in this movie, during Rocky's training run up the flight of stairs.[6] The final fight scene was filmed in reverse order, with the actors starting out in heavy make-up, which eventually wore off as the scenes were shot.[7]

Plot

Rocky Balboa is introduced as an enforcer for a loan shark by day and semi-professional boxer by night. The World Heavyweight Championship bout is scheduled for the United States Bicentennial; when the opponent of undefeated heavyweight champion Apollo Creed is injured, Creed comes up with the idea of fighting a local Philadelphia underdog and selects Rocky for the championship.

File:Rocky screenshot.jpg
Rocky fighting Apollo Creed

To prepare for the fight, Rocky trains with 1920s-era ex-bantamweight fighter Mickey Goldmill, while Rocky's best friend Paulie, a meat-packing plant worker, lets him practice his punches on the carcasses hanging in the freezers. During the process of his training Rocky courts Paulie's quiet sister Adrian and the two eventually become very close. The night before the fight, Rocky confides in Adrian that he does not expect to beat Creed, and that all he wants is to last all fifteen rounds.

Creed initially does not take the fight seriously, but this changes when Rocky surprisingly knocks Apollo down early in the first round. Following this, Apollo takes the fight seriously and the fight lasts all fifteen rounds, with each fighter being severely injured. After the final bell, Creed tells Rocky, "Ain't gonna be no rematch." Rocky then replies, "Don't want one." Rocky then shouts to Adrian, as she makes her way to the ring, and tells her he loves her, as Apollo Creed is announced the winner by split decision.

Cast

Main cast

  • Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone): Rocky is an enforcer for a loan shark by day and a semi-pro boxer by night. He is given the chance at the heavyweight title.
  • Adrian (Talia Shire): Rocky's love interest. Adrian is a quiet pet store clerk, she eventually falls in love with Rocky and supports him through his training.
  • Paulie (Burt Young):, Rocky's close friend and Adrian's brother. A meat-packing plant worker by trade, Paulie lets Rocky train at the freezer.
  • Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers): Rocky's opponent, heavyweight champion. The character of Apollo Creed was heavily influenced by the outspoken, real life, boxing great Muhammed Ali.[8]
  • Mickey Goldmill (Burgess Meredith): Rocky's trainer, bantamweight champ and owner of a local boxing gym.

Cameo appearances

With the character of outspoken Apollo Creed heavily influenced by real-life outspoken Muhammad Ali, one interesting detail is the cameo appearance of Joe Frazier, a former world heavyweight champion who fought Ali three times, as himself (during the Academy Awards ceremony, Ali and Stallone staged a brief comic confrontation which ended amiably, making it clear that Ali was not offended by the film.)

Due to the film's low budget, members of Stallone's family played minor roles; his father rings the bell to signal the start and end of a round, his brother plays a street corner singer, and his first wife, Sasha, was the set photographer.[1] Other cameos include Los Angeles television sportscaster Stu Nahan, playing himself, and Lloyd Kaufman, founder of the longest-running independent film company Troma, appearing as a drunk. Long time Detroit Channel 7 Action News anchor Diana Lewis has a small scene as a TV news reporter and Tony Burton appeared as Apollo Creed's trainer Duke.

Critical reception

Reviews

Rocky received mostly positive reviews when it was released in 1976, being very well received film reviewers.[1] Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave Rocky 4 out of 4 stars,[9] and Box Office Magazine claimed that audiences would be "...touting Sylvester (Sly) Stallone as a new star".[10] Phil Villarreal of the Arizona Daily Star praised Stallone's performance saying "Stallone thoroughly owns the movie with his groggy, downbeat delivery and sense of indomitability".[11] However, Vincent Canby of the New York Times called it "pure '30's make believe" and slammed both Stallone's acting and Avildsen's directing, calling the latter "...none too decisive..."[12]

Over 30 years later, the film enjoys a reputation as a classic and still receives generally positive reviews. Film-goers at the movie website IMDb voted Rocky a 7.8 out of 10 rating,[13] and Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 100% fresh rating.[14] Another positive online review came from the BBC Films website, with both reviewer Almar Haflidason and BBC online users giving it 5/5 stars.[15] In Steven J. Schneider's 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, Schneider says the film is "often overlooked as schmaltz."[16]

Awards

Rocky was nominated for Academy Awards in ten categories winning three:[17]

Rocky has also appeared on several of the American Film Institute's 100 Years lists.

The Directors Guild of America awarded Rocky it's annual award for best film of the year in 1976, and in 2006, Sylvester Stallone's original screenplay for Rocky was selected by the Writers Guild of America as the 78th best screenplay of all time.[22]

Music

Rocky's soundtrack was composed by Bill Conti. The main theme song "Gonna Fly Now" made to number one on the Billboard Magazines Hot 100 list for one week (from July 2nd to July 8th, 1977) and the American Film Institute placed it 58th on its AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs.[23][24] The complete soundtrack was re-released in 1988 by EMI on CD and cassette.[25] Bill Conti was also the composer for Rocky II, III and V, and will return for the sixth installment.[26]

Although the Bill Conti version of "Gonna Fly Now" is the most recognizable arrangement, a cover of the song performed by legendary trumpeter Maynard Ferguson on his Conquistador album prior to the release of the motion picture soundtrack actually outsold the soundtrack itself.[27]

Cultural influences

Rocky Steps

Main article: Rocky Steps
Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The famous scene of Rocky running up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art has become a cultural icon. In 1982 a statue of Rocky, commissioned by Stallone for Rocky III, was placed at the top of the Rocky Steps. City Commerce Director Dick Doran claimed that Stallone and Rocky had done more for the city's image than "anyone since Ben Franklin."[28]

Differing opinions of the statue and its placement led to its eventual relocation to the sidewalk outside the Philadelphia Spectrum Arena, although the statue was temporarily returned to the top of the steps in 1990 for Rocky V, and again in 2006 for the thirtieth anniversary of the original Rocky movie (although this time it was placed at the bottom of the steps). Later that year, it was permanently moved to a spot next to the steps.[28]

The scene is also frequently parodied in the media. In the Simpsons episode "I'm Spelling as Fast as I Can", Lisa Simpson runs up a flight of stairs wearing a tracksuit similar to the one worn by Rocky.[29] and in 2006 E! Channel named the Rocky Steps scene number 13 in its 101 Most Awesome Moments in Entertainment.[30]

During the 1996 Summer Olympics torch relay, Philadelphia native Dawn Staley was chosen to run up the museum steps. In 2004, Presidential candidate John Kerry ended his pre-convention campaign at the foot of the steps before going to Boston to accept his party's nomination for President.[31]

Other films & media

In an effort to captialize on the success of Rocky, the 1970 pornography film Party at Kitty and Stud's was re-released under the title of The Italian Stallion, a reference to Rocky's nickname.[32] The film stars a 24 year old Sylvester Stallone as "Stud" in his film debut,[33] and also features Henrietta Holm as "Kitty".[34]

Rocky generated four sequels with a fifth to be released in 2006. The first sequel Rocky II (1979) sees Rocky reluctantly called back for a rematch with Apollo Creed in which, unlike the original, Rocky wins. Rocky II reunited the entire cast of the original Rocky. A new character appears in 1982's Rocky III, Clubber Lang (played by Mr. T) an outspoken young fighter insisting on a fight with Rocky. Rocky loses this bout, with Burgess Meredith's character Mickey suffering a fatal heart attack before the fight. Rocky accepts an offer from his former rival turned friend Apollo Creed for help in regaining the title. Rocky IV (1985) sees the character of Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) introduced. A strong Soviet fighter, Drago enters the United States convinced he can defeat any American fighter. Apollo Creed, well into his retirement, takes up the challenge and is killed in the ring by Drago. After Apollo's death, Rocky decides to fight against Drago, despite his wife Adrian urging him not to, and travels to the Soviet Union to train for the fight. Rocky defeats Drago but had to give up the heavyweight title (the boxing commission didn't want to sanction the fight, so he reliquished the title and fights Drago as just a professional boxer, not the heavyweight champion). Released in 1990, Rocky V was a departure from the rest of the series as is shows Rocky no longer professionally fighting, but instead training younger fighters, due to brain injuries. Rocky V centers around Rocky, having lost his fortune, and his efforts to train a young fighter, Tommy Gunn (played by real life boxer Tommy Morrison). However it becomes apparent that Gunn is merely using Rocky's fame for his own ends and the film ends with Rocky defeating Gunn in a fight in the street. The final addition to the Rocky series,[35] Rocky Balboa has Rocky fighting against a real life boxer again, in this case former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver playing Mason "The Line" Dixon.

Video games

Several video games have been made based on the film. The first Rocky video game was released by Coleco for Colecovision in 1983.[36] Another was released in 1987 for the Sega Master System. More recently, a Rocky video game was released in 2002 for the Nintendo Gamecube, Sony PlayStation 2, and Microsoft Xbox, and a sequel (Rocky Legends) was released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Sylvester Stallone (2000). Rocky Gold Edition Video Commentary (DVD). Australia: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
  2. ^ "Rocky Budget". Retrieved 24 August. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Rocky Movie Gross @ Screen Source". Retrieved 23 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "Inside the Actors Studio with Sylvester Stallone". Retrieved 28 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ "Rocky Balboa Release Date". Retrieved 24 August. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "Stedicam". Retrieved 24 August. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "Rocky Trivia". Retrieved 24 August. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ "Cast and Crew bios for Rocky". Retrieved 15 November. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ "Roger Ebert Rocky Review". January 1 1977. Retrieved 23 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ "Box Office Magazine Rocky Review". November 22 1976. Retrieved 23 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ "Channel 4 Press Quotes". Retrieved 14 November. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help).
  12. ^ "Vincent Cabny Rock Review for New York Times". November 22, 1976. Retrieved 23 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "Rocky @ IMDb". Retrieved 17 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ "Rocky @ Rotten Tomatoes". Retrieved 6 October. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "Rocky @ BBC Films". Retrieved 14 November. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ Schneider, Stephen Jay (2005). 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die (Revised Edition). London, England: New Burlington Books. p. 615. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "IMDb Academy Awards 1977". Retrieved 14 November. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ "AFI 100 Years". 1998. Retrieved 24 August. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ "AFI 100 Cheers". June 14 2006. Retrieved 24 August. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ "AFI 100 Quotes". 2005. Retrieved 29 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ "AFI 100 Heroes and Villains". Retrieved 11 October. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ "100 Best Screenplays by Writers Guild". Retrieved 24 August. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "Popculturemadness.com list of 1977 number ones, based on Billboards lists". July 2-July 8, 1977. Retrieved 14 October. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ "AFI 100 songs". June 22 2004. Retrieved 14 October. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ "Billboard.com - Rocky Soundtrack". Retrieved 14 October. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ "Bill Conti @ IMDb". Retrieved 14 October. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ Liner notes of the Conquistador album
  28. ^ a b "Rocky Statue". Retrieved 23 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ "I'm Spelling as Fast as I Can @ TV.com". Retrieved 25 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Text "accessyear 2006" ignored (help)
  30. ^ "E! Channel's 101 Most Awesome Moments in Entertainment". Retrieved 23 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ "Philly.com". Retrieved 16 November. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ "The Italian Stallion at Urban Legends". 9 June 1997. Retrieved 14 November. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ "Sylvester Stallone @ IMDb". Retrieved 14 November. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  34. ^ "Party at Kitty and Studs @ IMDb". Retrieved 14 November. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ "Official Rocky Balboa Movie Blog". November 10, 2006. Retrieved 15 November. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  36. ^ "Game Companies : Coleco". Retrieved 24 August. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to Rocky.
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