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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]]''.
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]]''.


Testicular cancer is good for your soul
== Production ==



The studio liked the script, which was considered as a vehicle for established stars [[Burt Reynolds]] or [[James Caan]], among others. Stallone held out, demanding he be given a chance to star in it. He later said that he would have never forgiven himself if the film become a success with someone else in the lead. He also knew that Winkler and 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 = "IMDB Trivia Page" />

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]], who 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 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 = "IMDB Trivia Page"/>

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. As Stallone was injured the filming was put on hold for over 3 weeks for Stallone to recover. This happened as Stallone wanted the final fight to look believable and tried to make it real.


== Plot ==
== Plot ==

Revision as of 21:26, 13 December 2007

For other uses, see Rocky (disambiguation).
Rocky
Original poster
Directed byJohn G. Avildsen
Written bySylvester Stallone
Produced byRobert Chartoff
Irwin Winkler
StarringSylvester Stallone
Talia Shire
Burt Young
Carl Weathers
Burgess Meredith
Tony Burton
CinematographyJames Crabe
Edited byRichard Halsey
Scott Conrad
Music byBill Conti
Distributed byUnited States United Artists (1976-1981)
United States Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (1982-present)
Release dates
November 21, 1976
Running time
120 min.
Country United States
LanguageEnglish
BudgetUS$1,100,000

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, 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,[1] and shot relatively fast in 28 days, was a sleeper hit; it made over US$117.2 million,[2] won three Oscars, including Best Picture, and garnered mostly positive reviews which helped to launch Stallone's career.[3] The film spawned five sequels: Rocky II, III, IV, V and Rocky Balboa.

Testicular cancer is good for your soul

Plot

Rocky Balboa is introduced as a small-time boxer and collector for a loan shark. The World Heavyweight Championship 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.

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 go the distance with Creed, meaning last 15 rounds against him (the typical scheduled length of championship fights at the time).

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

Cameo appearances

With the character of outspoken Apollo Creed influenced by Muhammad 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 plays a street corner singer, and his first wife, Sasha, was the set photographer.[citation needed] 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 Channel 7 Action News anchor Diana Lewis has a small scene as a TV news reporter. Tony Burton appeared as Apollo Creed's trainer, a role he would reprise in the entire Rocky series, though he is not given an official name until Rocky III'.. Brad Leahy played a hot dog vendor.

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.

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,[5] and Box Office Magazine claimed that audiences would be "...touting Sylvester (Sly) Stallone as a new star".[6][7] 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..."[8]

More than 30 years later, the film enjoys a reputation as a classic and still receives generally positive reviews; Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 93% fresh rating.[9] Another positive online review came from the BBC Films website, with both reviewer Almar Haflidason and BBC online users giving it 5/5 stars.[10] In Steven J. Schneider's 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, Schneider says the film is "often overlooked as schmaltz."[11]

In 2006, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

Awards

Rocky received ten Academy Awards nominations in nine categories winning three:[12]

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

The Directors Guild of America awarded Rocky its 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.[18]

Music

Rocky's soundtrack was composed by Bill Conti. The main theme song "Gonna Fly Now" made it to number one on the Billboard Magazines Hot 100 list for one week (from July 2 to July 8, 1977) and the American Film Institute placed it 58th on its AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs.[19][20] The complete soundtrack was re-released in 1988 by EMI on CD and cassette.[21] Bill Conti was also the composer for Rocky II, III and V, and Rocky Balboa.[22]

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.[23]

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

Influence

Rocky Steps

Main article: Rocky Steps
Philadelphia Museum of Art.
File:Philly042107-014-RockyStatue.jpg
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."[24]

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.[24]

The scene is 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.[25] In 2006 E! Entertainment Television named the "Rocky Steps" scene number 13 in its 101 Most Awesome Moments in Entertainment.[26]

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.[27]

Other films and media

In an effort to capitalize on the success of Rocky, the 1970 pornography film Party at Kitty and Stud's was re-released under the title The Italian Stallion, a reference to Rocky's nickname.[28] The film stars a 24-year-old Sylvester Stallone as "Stud" in his film debut,[29] and also features Henrietta Holm as "Kitty".[30]

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.[31] 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 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,[32] Rocky Balboa , released in 2006, has the 59 year old Rocky fighting against a real-life boxer again, in this case former light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver playing 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

  1. ^ "Rocky Budget". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "Rocky Movie Gross @ Screen Source". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Inside the Actors Studio with Sylvester Stallone". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "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)
  5. ^ "Roger Ebert Rocky Review". January 1 1977. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "Box Office Magazine Rocky Review". November 22 1976. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "Arizona Daily Star Review". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help).
  8. ^ "Vincent Cabny Rock Review for New York Times". November 22, 1976. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ "Rocky @ Rotten Tomatoes". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ "Rocky @ BBC Films". Retrieved 14 November. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ 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)
  12. ^ "IMDb Academy Awards 1977". Retrieved 14 November. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "AFI 100 Years". 1998. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ "AFI 100 years (10th anniversary edition0". 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "AFI 100 Cheers". June 14 2006. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ "AFI 100 Quotes". 2005. Retrieved 29 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "AFI 100 Heroes and Villains". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ "100 Best Screenplays by [[Writers Guild of America, west]]". {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help); Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ "Popculturemadness.com list of 1977 number ones, based on Billboards lists". July 2-July 8, 1977. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ "AFI 100 songs". June 22 2004. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ "Billboard.com - Rocky Soundtrack". Retrieved 14 October. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ "Bill Conti @ IMDb". Retrieved 14 October. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ Liner notes of the Conquistador album
  24. ^ a b "Rocky Statue". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ "I'm Spelling as Fast as I Can @ TV.com". {{cite web}}: Text "accessyear 2006" ignored (help)
  26. ^ "E! Channel's 101 Most Awesome Moments in Entertainment". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ "Philly.com". Retrieved 16 November. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ "The Italian Stallion at Urban Legends". 9 June 1997. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ "Sylvester Stallone @ IMDb". Retrieved 14 November. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ "Party at Kitty and Studs @ IMDb". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ Business Data for Rocky II at the Internet Movie Database
  32. ^ "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)

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to Rocky.
Template:S-awards
Preceded by Academy Award for Best Picture
1976 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Golden Globe for Best Picture - Drama
1976 		Succeeded by

{[Americanfilms1970s}}

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