Review of Rocky (1976) by Andrew N — 18 Feb 2014

Rocky is a low budget sleeper flim that captured the nation, when unknown actor Sylvester Stallone decided to write a movie inspired by a fight seen on tv between an unknown club fighter "Chuck Wepner" & Champion "Muhammad Ali".

The film is set in a dindgy part of philadelphia, as it follows a lonely clubfighter Rocky Balboa(Sylvester Stallone) who seems to be going nowhere. Has only one real friend in Paulie(Burt Young), works for a local gangster mob to collect money, and even his manager Micky Goldmil(Burgess Meredeth) doesnt want anything to do with him. But Rocky does gets to know Paulies sister Adrien(Talia Shire)and Rocky see's a tenderness and vunerability in her that no one else see's but him.

Until fate has it World Heavyweight Champion Apollo Creed(Carl Weathers) has no one to face for his biecentenial fight, due to his opponent getting injured. Creed decides on giving an unknown a shot at the title, and picks Rocky for his next opponent.

For Creed this is little more than a show, but for Rocky its the chance of a lifetime.

As Rocky and Adriens love blossum, the fight approahces, and the story then focusses in on Rockys relationship with his Manager Mickey, as to why he never trained him before, and that Rocky had the talent but wasted his life before now.

As the two find out about their differences and desires, Mickey decides on training Rocky for his one in a million title shot.

With his trainer by his side, Adriens love for him gives Rocky all the more reason to "Go the distance".

As the fight moves closer, Rocky makes a mission to himself to atleast go the 15 rounds with the champion.

If he could do that then he will know for the first time in his life, he wasnt a bum, and was worthy of something great.

As the fight starts Rocky being out skilled by the Apollo, treating the fight like a joke. Rocky in the first round knocks down the champion, and from this point onwards Apollo Creed takes the fight more seriously.

The fight goes on and its back and forth, Rocky having trained his life for this fight makes good of it, but as it gets to the later rounds Rocky gets weak and Apollo Knocks him down in the 14th round.

Knowing all that's gone on before, fighting for love and self respect, in a magical Cinematic moment, Rocky gets up to continue the fight.

As the fight comes to a close, Rocky actually gets the better of the champion and has him on the ropes, as the bell rings for the end.

At the end of the film, we find out Apollo Creed retained the championship via split decision.

But because Rocky did what he set out to do, had gone the distance, all he can think of is getting Adrien back.

As they hug at the end, Rocky knows this is the mountain top of his life as the curtains come to a close.

The film tells a great story, as to which its not simply a boxing drama.

It about a man who stood up, and the un-realised dreams of an every man.

Stallone's Performance is sheer magic in this sleeper film of 1976 that captured three Oscars including Best Picture.

A Must See if anything, and probably the best underdog story of all time.