Rocky is one of the greatest and most iconic underdog stories in the history of film. In 1975 Sylvester Stallone, a struggling actor who was down to his last dollar, wrote what is still to this day his masterpiece. The story of how the film got made is almost as inspiring as the events of the film itself. A no-name actor and first time writer with a shoestring budget somehow created a film that almost 50 years later is still regarded as one of the greatest sports movies ever made. With an unforgettable score, emotionally moving performances, relatable and realistic characters, and some of the most iconic shots in the history of film, Rocky will continue to inspire people for many generations to come.
The film centers around Rocky Balboa, a 30 year old club fighter who barely scrapes together a living boxing in local venues and working as an enforcer for a loan shark. Rocky does not hold himself in very high regard and lacks confidence, which the owner of his boxing gym, Mickey, believes is causing Rocky to waste his talent and costing him opportunities at a better life. Rocky lives a solitary life and doesn’t have many friends, but he is enamored with his best friend Paulie’s sister Adrian, who much like Rocky is shy and lacks self-esteem. As their relationship develops, they start to build each other up and find strength and a sense of belonging in one another. Rocky is given the opportunity of a lifetime when the reigning heavyweight champion of the world Apollo Creed offers him a shot at the title on the United States Bicentennial.
Rocky was produced for around $1 million with about another $4.5 million put into advertising. It received wide release on December 3, 1976 and it grossed an astonishing $225 million worldwide (over $1 billion when adjusted for inflation). It was the highest grossing movie of 1976 and the second highest grossing movie of 1977 behind Star Wars. The film was directed by John G. Avildsen who would go on to direct the Karate Kid movies. The script was written by Stallone, the cinematography was provided by James Crabe, and the eternally beloved score was created by composer Bill Conti. The song “Gonna Fly Now” otherwise known as “Theme from Rocky” reached number 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and it remains to this day one of the most referenced and popular theme songs ever made. Rocky was nominated for 9 Academy Awards, collecting 3 trophies for Best Editing, Best Director, and Best Picture. Both of Stallone’s nominations for Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay lost out to Peter Finch and Paddy Cheyefsky respectively for their work on the film Network. Rocky currently holds a 92% critics score and 69% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The entire main cast of Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Burgess Meredith, and Carl Weathers give very grounded and realistic performances, with all of them portraying likable and flawed characters. I’ve always loved the film’s cinematography and production design, which is very gritty and grimy due to the low production budget. I always felt that it made you feel the impoverished conditions that Rocky is living in. But the one aspect of the movie that has unquestionably left the most indelible imprint on the culture is the score. Seriously, who hasn’t at some point in their life gone for a run or been jumping rope while singing to themselves “duh-duh-duh, duh-duh-duh”.
The thing that I love so much about this movie is how its creation so closely mirrors the titular character’s journey. Sylvester Stallone was raised Catholic, but much like Rocky, he resorted to doing some things that he was not proud of due to financial desperation. Stallone figured that if nobody wanted to cast him for big roles, he would write one for himself. He wrote the script in three days and started trying to get the film made. Being an unknown, unproven actor (an underdog one might say), the studios would not give him a chance. When he did manage to sell it, the studio wanted to cast a known star in the lead role, but Stallone was insistent that he play the part of Rocky. After Stallone’s friend Henry Winkler convinced the studio to give him back the rights to the script, he finally came to an agreement with another studio to write and star in the film. He shot the film on an unbelievably tight budget. The scene where Rocky bribes the janitor to let him and Adrian skate alone on the ice was re-written last minute by Stallone because they couldn’t afford the extras to shoot on the public skating rink as originally intended. The scene where Rocky tells Mr. Jergens that his trunk colors are wrong on the banner in the arena was written in by Stallone because the props department actually screwed up the colors and they couldn’t afford to redo it. Most of the films in the 70s were dark and cynical, painting a picture of a cruel, nasty, and decaying society. But much like Rocky, Stallone wanted Rocky to be a source of joy, inspiration, and hope.
Sylvester Stallone was a man who had been beaten down by life in pursuit of his dream. But one day, he saw an opportunity at a million to one shot and he took it. He wrote a script in three days, produced it on a razor thin budget, and against all odds it became one of the most financially successful movies ever. It won numerous accolades including the Oscar for Best Picture. It made him one of the biggest movie stars of all time. And most importantly, it gave us one of the most likable, relatable, and inspirational characters in cinema.
Next week, I will be releasing an in depth analysis on the Christian themes of Rocky. I will also eventually be doing a review and analysis for Rocky II as I have always felt that it is the true conclusion of Rocky’s journey that begins in the first film. I’m sure that many, if not all of you have already seen Rocky, but if you haven’t I would encourage you to give it a watch. Even though it can get pretty heavy at times, it is appropriate for all ages.
Rocky is available to watch on Max and available to rent on Prime Video.
God Bless You All
Michael