Film: Rocky
Director: John G. Avildsen
Country: USA
Released: November 1976
Runtime: 119 minutes
Genre: Sports Film
Studio: Chartoff-Winkler / United Artists
Influenced: Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, Ryan Coogler, Gavin O'Connor, Antoine Fuqua
Sylvester Stallone conceived the idea for Rocky shortly after watching a boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Chuck Wepner in 1975. Wepner was one of only four fighters to knock Ali down in the ring and Stallone was inspired by his tenacity, writing the screenplay for the film in just over three days. Stallone now contests this version of events – and has also pointed to boxers like Rocky Marciano and Joe Frazier as inspirations – but the bottom line is that he envisioned Rocky as a character-driven story of a blue-collar boxer who is given the chance to prove himself. Stallone rejected a generous deal from United Artists for the film rights in favour of the option to play the leading role. Directed by John G. Avildsen, Rocky is one of the pioneer American sports films, focused on the story of an underdog and highlighting the main character's determination and resilience rather than his victory.
Rocky Balboa is a small-time boxer from Philadelphia who works as a debt collector for a loan shark, and Avildsen gives us a flavour of Rocky's life through his daily routines, including his morning runs through the streets of Philadelphia and his training at a gritty gym. Despite his talent, Rocky's boxing career has stagnated, and he is seen as a bum by some. One day, the team behind reigning heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) contacts Rocky's gym, looking for a sparring partner to simulate Apollo's opponent in the upcoming fight. They believe it will be a great promotional stunt. Gym manager Mickey (Burgess Meredith) recognises the potential opportunity for Rocky, proposing him as the sparring partner. Initially hesitant, Rocky agrees to participate. During the sparring session, Rocky shows an impressive display of skill and tenacity in the ring. Apollo realises that Rocky could be an exciting and marketable challenger for the title and decides to offer Rocky the opportunity to fight him on New Year's Day.
Rocky is taken aback by the offer. Initially, he questions his own ability to compete at such a high level but ultimately accepts the challenge, driven by his desire to prove himself and seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. One of the most iconic sequences in the film is the training montage, where Rocky undergoes rigorous physical training, including running up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, now known as the "Rocky steps". One of the film's subplots is the love story between Rocky and Adrian (Talia Shire), a shy pet store clerk, and Rocky's heartfelt and awkward proposal to Adrian is a memorable moment of vulnerability. Adrian's brother Paulie is Rocky's cornerman and the film's best character, an abrasive and complex personality struggling with alcoholism who finds a way to confront his personal challenges and flaws and learns to appreciate the love and support around him.
The film's climactic boxing match between Rocky and Creed captivates the audience and, although Rocky doesn't win the match, he lasts the entire 15 rounds, defying all expectations and earning the respect of both Apollo and the crowd. One of the film's great innovations was that the fight scenes were choreographed to be authentic, using real boxing techniques and capturing the physical toll of the sport. The character of Rocky became an enduring symbol of perseverance, resonating with audiences worldwide, and the film achieved critical acclaim and became a massive box office success. As well as winning three Oscars, including Best Picture (which in hindsight was a mistake), the film's popularity led to several sequels, including Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV, Rocky V, Rocky Balboa and Creed. The franchise became a cultural phenomenon and established Stallone as a Hollywood icon.
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