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Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Burgess Meredith ... see more see more... , Thayer David , Joe Spinell , Jodi Letizia , Bill Baldwin , Simmy Bow , Tony Burton , DeForest Covan , Lou Filippo , Joe Frazier , James Gambina , George Memmoli , Jane Marla Robbins , Hank Rolike , Billy Sands , Stan Shaw , Don Sherman , Larry Carroll , Lloyd Kaufman , Frank Stallone , George O'Hanlon , Jack Hollander , Frankie Van , Kathleen Parker , Diana Lewis , Shirley O'Hara Krims , Al Silvani , Jimmy Gambina

Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), a Philadelphia boxer, is but one step removed from total bum-hood. A once-promising pugilist, Rocky is now taking nickel-and-dime bouts and running strongarm errands... read more read more... for local loan sharks to survive. Even his supportive trainer, Mickey (Burgess Meredith), has given up on Rocky. All this changes thanks to Muhammad Ali-like super-boxer Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). With the Bicentennial celebration coming up, Creed must find a "Cinderella" opponent for the big July 4th bout -- some unknown whom Creed can "glorify" for a few minutes before knocking him cold. Rocky Balboa was not the only Cinderella involved here: writer/director Sylvester Stallone, himself a virtual unknown, managed to sell his Rocky script (one of 35 that he'd written over the years) on the proviso that he be given the starring role. Since the film was to be made on a shoestring and marketed on a low-level basis, the risk factor to United Artists was small. For Stallone, this was a make-or-break opportunity -- just like Rocky's million-to-one shot with Apollo Creed. Costing under a million dollars, Rocky managed to register with audiences everywhere, earning back 60 times its cost. The film won several Academy Awards, including Best Picture. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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65% liked it

31,852,186 ratings

Critics

91% liked it

46 critics

PG, 1 hr. 59 min.

Directed by: John G. Avildsen

Release Date: November 21, 1976

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DVD Release Date: August 7, 2006

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Flixster Reviews (1,429,569)

  • blkbomb
    May 30, 2012
    blkbomb
     Apollo's Trainer: He doesn't know it's a damn show! He thinks it's a damn fight! 

    "His whole life was a million-to-one shot."

    Rocky is a beloved underdog classic. The name itself has become synonymous with sheer willpower. Sure it is one big cliche and the main theme has been ... read moredone a million times, but there is something to be said for a movie that can pull you in like this one does. We know what to expect from the very outset with Rocky aka The Italian Stallion. He is a dumb, poor, low rent boxer who fights other no name boxers for very little money. He also collects for a loan shark on the side. We know we are supposed to grow to love this dumb guy who talks too much. The success of the film relies on us being able to love this character. So based purely on that, I like the film. Every time I watch it, I laugh at the stupidity of some of the scenes, like when Rocky is walking and does his little air punch routine; but I always love the character by the end.

    Rocky gets his shot at the title when Apollo Creed hand picks him because of the nickname The Italian Stallion. He knows the name will sell, just as he knows that the underdog story will sell. Rocky isn't so much a sports film, as it is a story of a man who finally gets a chance in life. It's also a little play on the American dream, as Rocky has a chance to make it big when just yesterday he had absolutely nothing. Stallone also throws in a nice, if slightly awkward, love story. Stallone's screenplay explores a lot of themes and none of them are original by any means, but somehow he still pulls everything into a  well executed film.

    The popularity of Rocky is pretty crazy. You can't go a week without seeing it on television. Its appeal with men is also ridiculous. It has grown to be included in the genre of the guy movies. It's one of those films every guy must see, and most have. The ones that haven't would never admit it either; they just forgot about the scene you are talking about. The movie hasn't aged as well as one would hope, and it's easy to find problems with it now, but still I have troubles saying anything bad about the film. 

    In reality this film isn't nearly as good as a lot of people say it is. It isn't a masterpiece and if you think it is, you're wrong. It's highly overrated; that's just a fact. Still, I have to say I like it more than I should. There's something about the movie that draws you in and makes you unable to hate it, when in reality you should. What did this movie add to the underdog story? Nothing, yet everything. 
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    March 29, 2012
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Rocky is a solid boxing drama that is probably when of the best boxing films ever made. Not only that but this is probably one of the best films that Sly has ever done. Although nowadays boxing films are almost a cliché, Rocky still remains a classic because it was one of the fir... read morest fight films to feature an underdog character. That to me is something that cannot be duplicated. No matter how many boxing films have come after Rocky, this film along with Raging Bull are still the standard boxing dramas, and the ones that are truly worth seeing. Rocky is a brilliant film that is a definite classic, and if you really want to watch the inspirational film, pick up this one. The film features a brilliant performance by Sylvester Stallone, who delivers as Rocky Balboa. Like I previously stated, this film is the film to watch if you want a terrific sports drama. What makes Rocky so special is the fact that it was made when Sports dramas were minimalistic in the sense that they didn't really have them back then. Nowadays it seems that every year there's some sort of drama and 95% of time it's about boxing. Rocky is a true original, and no matter how many films have come after it trying to duplicate its formula, there can be only one, and it's Rocky. The story is terrific, the acting incredible and the directing is terrific. No wonder it has stood the test of time, and it's refreshing no matter how many times you've seen it, and no matter how many films try to duplicate its underdog story. If you want the classic original underdog, Rocky Balboa is his name.
  • superclerk25
    March 19, 2012
    superclerk25
    He lost?
  • spielberg00
    February 4, 2012
    spielberg00
    THE sports movie. Unbeatable.
  • aquateen2
    November 2, 2011
    aquateen2
    Rocky is truly inspirational. This story of an underdog boxer is a greatly compelling story with drama and romance in a solidly made script and outstanding performances from all of its cast members. Definetely Stalllone's best film. Nothing he has made to date has had the same po... read morewerful and emotional strike.
  • DreamExtractor
    October 2, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    Rocky is a lifechanging boxing movie that will be in your heart forever. Its the story of Rocky Balboa who is a small time boxer who gets the chance to make it big when he must fight boxing champion Apollo Creed. The plot is not just a simple boxing film, this movie has a great... read more theme that it doesn't matter whether you win or lose, but either way you win in life, andI truly respect that about the movie. The cast in incredible, easily Sylvester Stallones best role to date, and everyone else was just incredible. The boxing scenes were also very well done and very enjoyable, they were great. Rocky will likely be remembered as one of the greatest boxing movies ever, and it is one of the best boxing movies ever, and I loved it.
  • movieguru12
    July 5, 2011
    movieguru12
    This movie is the reason why Sylvester is my #1 favorite actor. Not only did he have great acting in this movie, he had the coolness factor, and was SO CUTE!!! Just a great movie. I love it so much! :) A great way to celebrate the aniversary. :) Love it! :) Everyone should see ... read morethis movie!!! :) :) :)
  • jamers2011
    June 9, 2011
    jamers2011
    I'm not going to lie...I didn't see what the big deal was. A very good film, but completely overrated!
  • skeletonking101
    May 26, 2011
    skeletonking101
    its okay but somewhat boring
  • jennifxu
    May 1, 2011
    jennifxu
    After finally seeing Rocky, I'm shocked by how dated and horrible this movie is. I watch a lot of sports movies, and this one definitely ranks at the bottom.

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Critic Reviews

Richard Schickel
July 26, 2011
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine

The story is achingly familiar, and though Stallone has a certain power, he is certainly not the subtlest actor to crawl out from under Marlon's overcoat. Full Review

A.D. Murphy
February 20, 2009
A.D. Murphy, Variety

There are occasional flashes that the film may be patronizing the lower end of the blue-collar mentality, as much if not more than the characters who keep putting Rocky down on the screen. However, Av... Full Review

Dave Kehr
December 13, 2006
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

I wanted to like it more than I did, but it'll do. Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 9, 2005
Vincent Canby, New York Times

The screenplay of Rocky is purest Hollywood make-believe of the 1930's, but there would be nothing wrong with that, had the film been executed with any verve. Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

A description of it would sound like a cliche from beginning to end. But Rocky isn't about a story, it's about a hero. And it's inhabited with supreme confidence by a star. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

The basic storyline has been done to death over the years; this is still one of the most effective and successful applications of the formula. Full Review

Scott Nash
August 17, 2011
Scott Nash, Three Movie Buffs

One of the greatest, if not the greatest, feel good movies of all time. Full Review

Peter Canavese
June 6, 2011
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews

It's all here: the famous Bill Conti fanfare, the 'Gonna Fly Now' training montage, the inevitable 'David and Goliath' climax. [Blu-ray] Full Review

James Kendrick
June 2, 2011
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk

transforms the gritty realities of economic hardship and personal desperation into a celebration of individuality and determination without sinking into mushy sentimentalism Full Review

Nell Minow
December 28, 2010
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media

Sly's best pic winner sets underdog-hero standard. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Mickey: Why do you wear that old sweaty thing?
    • Rocky Balboa: It brings me luck.
    • Mickey: It brings you flys.
    • Mickey: You're gonna eat lightnin' and you're gonna crap thunder!
    • Mickey: Your nose is broken.
    • Rocky Balboa: How does it look?
    • Mickey: Ah, it's an improvement.
    • Rocky Balboa: If I Can Change, you can Change. EVERYBODY CAN CHANGE!
    • Adrian: Rocky, why do you fight?
    • Rocky Balboa: Because I can't sing and dance.
    • Rocky Balboa: ADRIAAAAAAAAAAAN!
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Rocky Trivia

  • In what Rocky movie does Rocky fight Drago?  Answer »
  • in which rocky movie did rocky fight mr T  Answer »
  • What is the name of Dr. Frank-N-Furter's creature in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show?"  Answer »
  • to correct the answer on an earlier question... in what rocky movie did apollo creed die?  Answer »
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