Rocky 45772 226103420 2008-07-16T20:58:01Z Rjwilmsi 203434 gen fixes + link/fix date fields in cite templates (explanation [[User:Rjwilmsi#My_correction_of_citation_templates|here]]) using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]] {{otheruses}} {{Infobox Film | name = Rocky Balboa | image = Rocky_poster.jpg | caption = Original poster | director = [[John G. Avildsen]] | producer = [[Robert Chartoff]]<br/>[[Irwin Winkler]] | writer = [[Sylvester Stallone]] | starring = [[Sylvester Stallone]]<br/>[[Talia Shire]]<br/>[[Burt Young]]<br/>[[Carl Weathers]]<br/>[[Burgess Meredith]]<br/>[[Tony Burton]] | music = [[Bill Conti]] | cinematography = [[James Crabe]] | editing = Richard Halsey<br/>Scott Conrad | distributor = {{flagicon|United States}} [[United Artists]] | released = [[November 21]], [[1976 in film|1976]] | runtime = 120 min. | country = {{USA}} | language = [[English language|English]] | budget = [[US$]]1,100,000 | preceded_by = | amg_id = 1:41846 | imdb_id = 0075148 | followed_by = ''[[Rocky II]]'' }} '''''Rocky''''' is a [[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]], an uneducated but good-hearted [[debt collector]] for a [[loan shark]] in [[Philadelphia]]. Balboa is also a club fighter who gets a shot at the [[world heavyweight championship]] when the scheduled contender breaks his hand. Also starring in ''Rocky'' are [[Talia Shire]] as Adrian, [[Burt Young]] as Adrian's brother Paulie, [[Burgess Meredith]] as [[Mickey Goldmill]], Rocky's trainer, and [[Carl Weathers]] as the champion, [[Apollo Creed]]. The film, made for only US$1.2 million,<ref name = "Rocky Budget">{{cite web| title = Rocky Budget | url = http://www.filmsite.org/rock.html| accessdaymonth = 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|accessdaymonth = 23 September |accessyear = 2006|title = Rocky Movie Gross @ Screen Source}}</ref> won three [[Academy Award|Oscars]], including [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]], 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|accessdaymonth = 28 September |accessyear = 2006}}</ref> The film spawned [[Rocky (series)|five sequels]]: ''Rocky [[Rocky II|II]], [[Rocky III|III]], [[Rocky IV|IV]], [[Rocky V|V]]'' and ''[[Rocky Balboa (film)|Rocky Balboa]]''. == Production == The studio liked the script, which was considered as a vehicle for established stars like [[Burt Reynolds]] and [[James Caan]], among others. Stallone held out, demanding he be given a chance to star in the film. He later said that he would never have forgiven himself if the film became a success with someone else in the lead. He also knew that producers [[Irwin Winkler]] and [[Robert Chartoff]]'s contract with the studio enabled them to "greenlight" a project if the budget was kept low enough. Certain elements of the story were altered during filming. The original script had a darker tone: Mickey was portrayed as [[racism|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.<ref name = "Trivia">{{cite web| title = "Rocky Trivia" | url = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075148/trivia | accessdaymonth = 24 August | accessyear = 2006}}</ref> Although Winkler and Chartoff were 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 major characters in the story, with Adrian and Apollo Creed cast unusually late by production standards (both were ultimately cast on the same day). Real life boxer [[Ken Norton]] was initially handed the role of [[Apollo Creed]] but he pulled out and it was ultimately given to [[Carl Weathers]]. Interestingly, Norton had three fights with [[Muhammad Ali]], whom Creed was loosely based on. According to ''The Rocky Scrapbook'', [[Carrie Snodgress]] was originally chosen to play Adrian, but a money dispute forced the producers to look elsewhere. [[Susan Sarandon]] auditioned for the role but was deemed too pretty for the character. After [[Talia Shire]]'s ensuing audition along with Avildsen, Chartoff and Winkler insisted that she play the part.{{Fact|date=April 2007}} [[Garrett Brown]]'s [[Steadicam]] was used to accomplish a smooth shot running alongside Rocky during his training run up the flight of stairs. It was also used for some of the shots in the fight scenes, and can even be openly seen at the ringside during some wide shots of the final fight. (''Rocky'' is often erroneously cited as the first film to use the Steadicam, although the distinction actually goes to ''[[Bound for Glory (film)|Bound for Glory]]'' as the first production to use it. ''[[Marathon Man (film)|Marathon Man]]'' also has a claim, as it premiered prior to either film.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://lserv2.dtopinc.com/tiffen/staging_html/tiffen_news_Steadicam30th_Anniv.html| title= Steadicam 30th anniversary press release}}</ref>) The final fight scene was filmed in reverse order, with the actors starting out in heavy [[make-up]].<ref name = "Trivia"/> During filming of Rocky, Sylvester Stallone and Carl Weathers suffered injuries due to filming the final fight with Stallone suffering bruised ribs and Weathers suffering a damaged nose. The poster seen above the ring before Rocky fights Apollo Creed shows Rocky wearing red shorts with a white stripe when he actually wears white shorts with a red stripe. When Rocky points this out he is told that "it doesn't really matter does it?". This was an actual mistake made amongst the props department that they could not afford to rectify, so Stallone ad-libbed the scene. == Plot == <!-- Try to refrain from expanding the plot, adding POV style information and including aspects of the fight that the reader doesn't need to know and can learn from renting the film. WP:FICT says plot summary should be kept to a minimum--> [[Rocky Balboa]] is introduced as a small-time [[boxing|boxer]] and collector for a [[loan shark]]. The World Heavyweight Championship [[Boxing|bout]] is scheduled for [[New Year's Day]], [[1976]], the year of 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, because he likes Rocky's nickname, "The Italian Stallion," he selects the unknown fighter. He says "Apollo Creed versus The Italian Stallion." 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 training, Rocky dates Paulie's quiet sister, Adrian. The night before the fight, Rocky confides in Adrian that he does not expect to beat Creed, and that all he wants is to [[The distance (boxing)|go the distance]] with Creed, meaning that lasting 15 rounds (the typical scheduled length of championship fights at the time) against him would mean he "... wasn't just another bum from the neighbourhood.". Creed does not initially take the fight seriously, but Rocky unexpectedly knocks him down in the first round and the match turns intense. The fight indeed lasts 15 rounds with each fighter suffering many injuries. After the fight, Rocky calls out for Adrian, who runs down to the ring. As Creed is announced the winner by [[split decision]], Adrian and Rocky embrace where they profess their love to one another. == Cast == === Main cast === <!-- Please stop adding Tony Burton under the Main cast, just because his role expanded in later sequels doesn't mean he belongs here as he had no sway on the story --> *'''[[Sylvester Stallone]]''' as '''[[Rocky Balboa (character)|Rocky Balboa]]''', an enforcer for a loan shark by day and a semi-pro boxer by night. He is given the chance at the heavyweight title. *'''[[Talia Shire]]''' as '''[[Adrian Pennino]]''', Rocky's love interest. Adrian is a quiet pet store clerk who falls in love with Rocky and supports him through his training. *'''[[Burt Young]]''' as '''[[Paulie Pennino]]''', Adrian's brother. A meat-packing plant worker by trade, Paulie permits Rocky to train in the freezer. *'''[[Carl Weathers]]''' as '''[[Apollo Creed]]''', Rocky's opponent and heavyweight champion. The character was influenced by the outspoken, real-life boxing great [[Muhammad Ali]].<ref name = "Rocky">{{citeweb|url= http://rockythemovie.com/homevideo/index.html|title= Cast and Crew bios for Rocky|accessdate= 15 November|accessyear= 2006}}</ref> *'''[[Burgess Meredith]]''' as '''[[Mickey Goldmill]]''', Rocky's manager and trainer, a former [[bantamweight]] fighter from the [[1920s]] and the owner of the local boxing gym. === Cameo appearances === With the character of outspoken Apollo Creed influenced by [[Muhammed Ali]], one interesting detail is the cameo appearance of [[Joe Frazier]], another real-life former world [[heavyweight]] champion who fought Ali three times. During the [[Academy Awards]] ceremony, Ali and Stallone staged a brief comic confrontation to show 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 [[Frank Stallone|Frank]] plays a street corner singer, and his first wife, Sasha, was the set [[photographer]].{{Fact|date=April 2007}} Other cameos include Los Angeles television [[sportscaster]] [[Stu Nahan]] playing himself, alongside radio and TV broadcaster Bill Baldwin and [[Lloyd Kaufman]], founder of the longest-running independent film company [[Troma]], appearing as a drunk. Long time [[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]] [[WXYZ-TV|Channel 7]] [[Action News]] anchor [[Diana Lewis (newscaster)|Diana Lewis]] has a small scene as a TV news reporter. [[Tony Burton]] appeared as Apollo Creed's trainer, [[Tony "Duke" Evers]], a role he would reprise in the entire ''Rocky'' series, though he is not given an official name until ''Rocky II''. Brad Leahy played a hot dog vendor. == Critical reception == === Reviews === ''Rocky'' received positive reviews when it was released in 1976. [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave ''Rocky'' 4 out of 4 stars,<ref>{{cite web| accessdaymonth = 23 September |accessyear = 2006|date= [[January 1]] [[1977]]|title = Roger Ebert Rocky Review| url = http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19760101/REVIEWS/601010307/1023}}</ref> and ''Box Office Magazine'' claimed that audiences would be "...touting Sylvester 'Sly' Stallone as a new star".<ref>{{cite web |date= [[November 22]] [[1976]] |title = Box Office Magazine Rocky Review | url = http://www.boxoffice.com/scripts/fiw.dll?GetReview?&where=ID&terms=4828 |accessdaymonth = 23 September |accessyear = 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title= Arizona Daily Star Review |url=http://www.channel4.com/film/reviews/film.jsp?id=107744&section=pressQuote |accessdaymonth= 14 November |accessyear= 2006}}.</ref> However, Vincent Canby of the [[New York Times]] called it "pure '30s make believe" and slammed both Stallone's acting and Avildsen's directing, calling the latter "...none too decisive..."<ref>{{cite web|date= [[November 22]], [[1976]]|accessdaymonth = 23 September |accessyear = 2006|url = http://movies2.nytimes.com/mem/movies/review.html?_r=1&title1=Rocky%20(Movie)&title2=&reviewer=VINCENT%20CANBY&pdate=19761122&v_id=|title = Vincent Cabny Rock Review for New York Times}}</ref> More than 30 years later, the film enjoys a reputation as a classic and still receives positive reviews; [[Rotten Tomatoes]] gave the film a 93% fresh rating.<ref>{{cite web|title = Rocky @ Rotten Tomatoes| url = http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1017776-rocky/|accessdaymonth = 6 January | accessyear = 2007}}</ref> Another positive online review came from the [[BBC]] Films website, with both reviewer Almar Haflidason and BBC online users giving it 5/5 stars.<ref>{{citeweb|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2001/03/12/rocky_1976_review.shtml|title = Rocky @ BBC Films|accessdate= 14 November|accessyear= 2006}} </ref> In Steven J. Schneider's ''1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die'', Schneider says the film is "often overlooked as [[schmaltz]]."<ref>{{cite book|last =Schneider| first = Stephen Jay |authorlink = | coauthors = Garrett Chaffin-Quiray (review)| title = 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die (Revised Edition) |publisher = New Burlington Books|date= 2005 |location = London, England| pages = 615 | url = | doi =| id =}}</ref> In 2006, ''Rocky'' was selected for preservation in the United States [[National Film Registry]] by the [[Library of Congress]] as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". In June 2008, AFI revealed its "Ten top Ten"—the best ten films in ten "classic" American film genres—after polling over 1,500 people from the creative community. ''Rocky'' was acknowledged as the second best film in the sports genre.<ref>{{cite news | author = [[American Film Institute]] | title = AFI Crowns Top 10 Films in 10 Classic Genres | work = ComingSoon.net | date = 2008-06-17 | url = http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=46072 | accessdate= 2008-06-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= Top 10 Sports | url = http://www.afi.com/10top10/sports.html | publisher= [[American Film Institute]] |accessdate= 2008-06-18}}</ref> === Awards === ''Rocky'' received ten [[Academy Awards]] nominations in nine categories winning three:<ref>{{citeweb|url= http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Academy_Awards_USA/1977|title = IMDb Academy Awards 1977|accessdate = 14 November|accessyear = 2006}}</ref> *[[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]] (Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler) ('''won''') *[[Academy Award for Directing|Best Director]] (John G. Avildsen) ('''won''') *[[Academy Award for Film Editing|Film Editing]] (Richard Halsey and Scott Conrad) ('''won''') *[[Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay|Best Original Screenplay]] (Sylvester Stallone) *[[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] (Sylvester Stallone) *[[Academy Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] (Talia Shire) *[[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]] (Burt Young) *[[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]] (Burgess Meredith) *[[Academy Award for Best Song|Best Music, Original Song]] ([[Bill Conti]], Carol Connors and Ayn Robbins for "Gonna Fly Now") *[[Academy Award for Sound|Best Sound]] (Harry W. Tetrick, William L. McCaughey, Lyle J. Burbridge and Bud Alper) ''Rocky'' has also appeared on several of the [[American Film Institute]]'s ''100 Years'' lists. *[[AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies]], number 78.<ref name = "100yrs 1">{{cite web|date= 1998| title = AFI 100 Years| url = http://www.afi.com/tvevents/100years/movies.aspx| accessdaymonth = 24 August | accessyear = 2006}}</ref> *[[AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition)]], number 57.<ref name =10th anniversary''>{{cite web|date= 2007| title = AFI 100 years (10th anniversary edition0| url = http://connect.afi.com/site/PageServer?pagename=100register_landing| accessdaymonth = 20 June | accessyear= 2007}}</ref> *[[AFI's 100 Years... 100 Cheers]], number 4.<ref name = "100yrs 2">{{cite web|date= [[June 14]] [[2006]]| title = AFI 100 Cheers| url = http://www.afi.com/tvevents/100years/cheers.aspx| accessdaymonth = 24 August | accessyear = 2006}}</ref> *[[AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movie Quotes]] number 80: "Yo, Adrian!".<ref>{{citeweb|date= 2005| url = http://www.afi.com/tvevents/100years/quotes.aspx#list| accessdate = 29 September| accessyear = 2006|title = AFI 100 Quotes}}</ref> *[[AFI's 100 Years... 100 Heroes and Villains]] Heroes number 7: Rocky Balboa.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.afi.com/tvevents/100years/handv.aspx|title = AFI 100 Heroes and Villains|accessdaymonth = 11 October |accessyear = 2006}}</ref> The [[Directors Guild of America]] awarded ''Rocky'' its [[Directors Guild of America Awards|annual award]] for best film of the year in 1976, and in 2006, Sylvester Stallone's original screenplay for ''Rocky'' was selected for the [[Writers Guild of America Award]] as the 78th best screenplay of all time.<ref name = Screenplay>{{cite web| title = 100 Best Screenplays by [[Writers Guild of America, west]]| url = http://www.wga.org/subpage_newsevents.aspx?id=1807| accessdaymonth = 24 August | accessyear = 2006}}</ref> == Music == ''Rocky'''s [[soundtrack]] was composed by [[Bill Conti]]. The main [[theme song]] "[[Gonna Fly Now]]" made it to number one on the [[Billboard Magazine]]s [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]] list for one week (from July 2 to July 8, [[1977 in music|1977]]) and the [[American Film Institute]] placed it 58th on its [[AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.popculturemadness.com/Music/Pop-Modern/1977.html|accessdaymonth = 14 October |accessyear = 2006|title = Popculturemadness.com list of 1977 number ones, based on Billboards lists|date= July 2-July 8, 1977}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.afi.com/tvevents/100years/songs.aspx|title = AFI 100 songs|accessdaymonth = 14 October |accessyear = 2006|date= [[June 22]] [[2004]]}}</ref> The complete soundtrack was re-released in [[1988 in music|1988]] by [[EMI]] on [[CD]] and [[compact cassette|cassette]].<ref>{{citeweb|url = http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/discography/index.jsp?aid=98351&cr=track&or=ASCENDING&sf=length&pid=684704&kw=Gonna+Fly+Now|title = Billboard.com - Rocky Soundtrack|accessdate = 14 October|accessyear = 2006}}</ref> Bill Conti was also the composer for ''[[Rocky II]]'', ''[[Rocky III|III]]'', ''[[Rocky V|V]]'', and ''[[Rocky Balboa (film)|Rocky Balboa]]''.<ref>{{citeweb|url = http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006015/|title = Bill Conti @ IMDb|accessdate = 14 October|accessyear = 2006}}</ref> 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.<ref>Liner notes of the ''Conquistador'' album</ref> ==U.S. Box Office== ''Rocky'': '''US$117.2 million''' The original ''Rocky'' was the most profitable entry of the series, with a budget of US$1.2 million. ==Home video release history== * 1982 - [[CED Videodisc]] and [[VHS]]; VHS release is rental only; 20th Century Fox Video release *[[October 27]], [[1993]] ([[VHS]] and [[laserdisc]]) *[[April 16]], [[1996]] ([[VHS]] and [[laserdisc]]) *[[March 24]], [[1997]] ([[DVD]]) *[[April 24]], [[2001]] ([[DVD]], also packed with the Five-Disc Boxed Set) *[[December 14]], [[2004]] ([[DVD]], also packed with the Rocky Anthology box set) *[[February 8]], [[2005]] ([[DVD]], also packed with the Rocky Anthology box set) *[[December 5]], [[2006]] ([[DVD]] and [[Blu-ray Disc]] - 2-Disc Collector's Edition, the [[DVD]] was the first version released by [[20th Century Fox Home Entertainment]] and was also packed with the Rocky Anthology box set and the [[Blu-ray Disc]] was the first version released by [[Sony Pictures Home Entertainment]]) *[[December 4]], [[2007]] ([[DVD]] Box set Rocky The Complete Saga. This new set contains the new Rocky Balboa, but does NOT include the recent 2 disc Rocky. And, to many Rocky fans' despair, there are still no special features for Rocky II through Rocky V. There is no word if any of the special features from Rocky Balboa are included on this set.) == Stallone's Inspiration == Sylvester Stallone was inspired to create the film by the famous fight between [[Muhammad Ali]] and [[Chuck Wepner]]. Wepner had been TKO'd in the 15th round by Ali, but nobody ever expected him to last as long as he did. Wepner recalls in early January, 2000, "Sly (Stallone) called me about two weeks after the Ali fight and told me he was gonna make the movie." === Rocky Steps === {{main|Rocky Steps}} [[Image:Philadelphia Museum of Art Pennsylvania USA.jpg|right|thumb|300px|[[Philadelphia Museum of Art]].]] [[Image:Philly042107-014-RockyStatue.jpg|thumb|300px|right|The statue, situated just northeast of the steps.]] 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]]."<ref name = "Rocky Statue"/> Differing opinions of the statue and its placement led to a 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 30th 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.<ref name = "Rocky Statue">{{cite web|accessdaymonth = 23 September |accessyear = 2006|url = http://www.ushistory.org/oddities/rocky.htm|title = Rocky Statue}}</ref> The scene is frequently parodied in the media. In the ''[[The Simpsons|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.<ref>{{cite web|accessdaymonth = 25 September |accessyear 2006|url = http://www.tv.com/the-simpsons/im-spelling-as-fast-as-i-can/episode/181997/trivia.html|title = I'm Spelling as Fast as I Can @ TV.com}}</ref> In the movie ''[[You Don't Mess with the Zohan]]'', Zohan's nemesis, Phantom, goes through a parodied training sequence finishing with him running up a desert dune and raising his hands in victory. In 2006 [[E!|E! Entertainment Television]] named the "Rocky Steps" scene number 13 in its ''101 Most Awesome Moments in Entertainment''.<ref>{{cite web|accessdaymonth = 23 September |accessyear = 2006|url = http://www.eonline.com/On/101/MostAwesome/List/index5.html|title = E! Channel's 101 Most Awesome Moments in Entertainment}}</ref> During the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] torch relay, Philadelphia native [[Dawn Staley]] was chosen to run up the museum steps. In [[United States presidential election, 2004|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.<ref>{{citeweb|title= Philly.com| url=http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/9258078.htm|accessdate= 16 November|accessyear= 2006}}</ref> === Other films and media === To date ''Rocky'' has generated five sequels. The first, ''[[Rocky II]]'' (1979) sees Rocky reluctantly called back for a rematch with Apollo Creed. ''Rocky II'' reunited the entire cast of the original ''Rocky'', and was just as successful, grossing $200 million worldwide.<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079817/business Business Data for Rocky II] at the [[Internet Movie Database]]</ref> 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 [[boxing|bout]], with Mickey suffering a fatal heart attack before the fight (he dies thinking Rocky won, Rocky doesn't have the heart to tell him otherwise.) Rocky accepts an offer from his rival-turned-friend Apollo Creed for help in regaining the title. ''[[Rocky IV]]'' (1985) introduces [[Ivan Drago]] ([[Dolph Lundgren]]), a strong Soviet fighter who is convinced he can defeat any American fighter. A retired Apollo 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 has to give up his official heavyweight title as the boxing commission did not sanction the fight. Released in 1990, [[Rocky V]] was a departure from the rest of the series, as Rocky no longer fights professionally, due to brain injuries, but instead trains younger fighters, including [[Tommy Gunn]] (played by real life boxer [[Tommy Morrison]]). 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 movie also is the first to introduce Rocky's son, Robert, as a major character. The final addition to the ''Rocky'' series,<ref>{{citeweb|title= Official Rocky Balboa Movie Blog|url= http://rockybalboablog.blogspot.com/|accessdate = 15 November|accessyear= 2006|date= [[November 10]], [[2006]]}}</ref> ''[[Rocky Balboa (film)|Rocky Balboa]]'' , released in 2006, has the 60 year old Rocky fighting against a real-life boxer again, in this case former light heavyweight champion [[Antonio Tarver]] playing [[Mason Dixon (Rocky Balboa character)|Mason "The Line" Dixon]]. Rocky Balboa was the most critically well received Rocky film of the entire series since the original, 30 years earlier. === Video games === Several video games have been made based on the film. The first ''Rocky'' video game was released by [[Coleco]] for [[ColecoVision]] in August of 1983; the principal designer was Coleco staffer B. Dennis Sustare. Another was released in 1987 for the [[Sega Master System]]. More recently, a ''Rocky'' video game was released in 2002 for the [[Nintendo Gamecube]], [[Nintendo Game Boy Advance]], [[Sony PlayStation 2]], and [[Microsoft]] [[Xbox]], and a [[sequel]] (''[[Rocky Legends]]'') was released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. In 2007 a video game called "Rocky Balboa" was released for PSP. ==References== <!--See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes for an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the <ref(erences/)> tags--> {{reflist|2}} ==External links== {{wikiquote}} *[http://rocky.com/ Rocky.com - Official site] *[http://rockythemovie.com/ Official Rocky Anthology site] *{{imdb title|id=0075148|title=Rocky}} *[http://espn.go.com/page2/s/closer/020529.html ESPN.com - Page 2 - Reel Life: 'Rocky'] trivia and stills *[http://www.sportsinmovies.com/boxing/rocky.asp 'Rocky'] at the Sports Movie Guide {{start box}}{{s-awards}} {{succession box | | before = ''[[One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (film)|One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest]] | after = ''[[Annie Hall]] | title = [[Academy Award for Best Picture]] | years = 1976 |}} {{succession box | | before = ''[[One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (film)|One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest]]'' | after = ''[[The Turning Point (1977 film)|The Turning Point]]'' | title = [[Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Drama|Golden Globe for Best Picture - Drama]] | years = 1976 |}} {{end}} {{start box}} {{succession box|title=''[[Box Office|Top Grossing films]]''|before=[[The Rocky Horror Picture Show]]|after=[[Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope|Star Wars]]|years=[[1976 in film|1976]]}} {{end box}} {{Rocky}} {{AcademyAwardBestPicture 1961-1980}} {{Americanfilms1970s}} [[Category:1976 films]] [[Category:Culture of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Best Picture Academy Award winners]] [[Category:Films whose director won the Best Director Academy Award]] [[Category:Films whose editor won the Best Film Editing Academy Award]] [[Category:Philadelphia in film and television]] [[Category:Rocky| ]] [[Category:United States National Film Registry films]] [[Category:English-language films]] [[Category:United Artists films]] [[da:Rocky]] [[de:Rocky]] [[el:Ρόκυ]] [[es:Rocky (película)]] [[eo:Rocky]] [[eu:Rocky]] [[fr:Rocky (film, 1976)]] [[ko:록키]] [[it:Rocky]] [[he:רוקי]] [[nl:Rocky]] [[ja:ロッキー (映画)]] [[no:Rocky]] [[pl:Rocky]] [[pt:Rocky (filme)]] [[ru:Рокки (фильм)]] [[simple:Rocky]] [[sl:Rocky]] [[fi:Rocky]] [[sv:Rocky (film)]] [[tr:Rocky (film)]] [[zh:洛奇]]