Rocky Movies

Against the backdrop of the Philadelphia streets, Rocky (1976) introduces us to Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone. Once a boxer of potential, he is now a collector for a loan shark and boxes for low pay in seedy clubs. Just like in his fights, Rocky continues to pursue his best friend's Paulie's sister Adrian no matter how many times he is knocked down.

Heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, desperate for a lucrative showcase fight, picks Rocky from obscurity and gives him his shot at the heavyweight belt. With help from his trainer Mickey, the Italian Stallion gives Apollo Creed more than he bargained. Against the odds Rocky goes the distance with Champ before losing a points decision but still proving himself.

Rocky II takes place immediately after the events in Rocky. Creed and Balboa are rushed to the hospital and reporters heckle Creed about the legitimacy of the fight. After his recovery Rocky and Adrian get married and Rocky tries unsuccessfully to capitalize on his fame but is not cut out for endorsements. He is forced to take a job at the meat works but is soon laid off due to budget cuts. Still under pressure from the public, Creed finally goads Rocky into a rematch. Rocky struggles to train without the support of the pregnant Adrian, who doesn't want Rocky to get hurt.

Eventually Adrian gets behind Rocky and again he goes the distance with Creed. However this time they both knock each other down in the final round, but Rocky is able to get to his feet first and beat the ten count. Rocky Balboa is named heavy weight champion of the world.

"Yo, Adrian! I DID IT!"

Now a successful heavy weight champion with successful endorsement deals, Rocky begins to be taunted by a hungry up and coming fighter, Clubber Lang. Rocky finds out the Mickey has been protecting Rocky from fighting the 'killer' fighter. Despite intending to retire, Rocky agrees to fight Lang but is no match for him. From the stress, Mickey dies from a heart attack. For the rematch, Apollo Creed, who has been ridiculed by Lang volunteers to help train Rocky. Creed and Tony 'Duke' Evers completely overhaul his Rocky's style. Rocky defeats Clubber Land to take back the championship belt.

In Rocky 4 Balboa is challenged to an exhibition match by an Adonis-like boxer from the USSR, Ivan Drago. However, Apollo Creed takes the fight in his place and is destroyed in the ring by the scientifically trained 6 foot 4 cold-as-ice monster. At the end of the first round a battered Creed tells Rocky, who is working his corner, not to throw in the towel. It would have saved Apollo's life if he had, as Drago kills him in the second round.

Infuriated, Rocky challenges Drago and their fight is scheduled for Christmas Day in Moscow. While Drago trains in his high-tech, well-staffed facility, Rocky trains with only Duke and Paulie in the Siberian forest with wood and rocks. On fight night the crowd is in a fervour supporting their champion as he inflicts a massive beating on Rocky. However, Rocky begins to win the crowd over by never giving up and eventually knocking out Drago.

Such was the toll of the fight with Ivan Drago, and all the other beatings he has taken in his career, Rocky is diagnosed with brain damage and is unable to box anymore. Further, Paulie had signed over power of attorney to a crooked accountant who squandered all of the Balboas' savings and reneged on six years of taxes. The Balboa family is forced to return to their old life in Philadelphia.

Rocky comes across a promising boxer named Tommy Gunn and begins to pour all of his efforts into training him, at the expense of his relationship with his own son. However, Gunn is seduced by the promises of a seedy fight promoter, Duke Washington. He turns his back on Rocky but when he is unable to escape from his shadow in the eyes of the fans he challenges Rocky and the two engage in a vicious street fight. Despite suffering from brain damage and post traumatic stress from his fights Rocky defeats Tommy Gunn.

While it may not seem like it from the Rocky film synopsises, the love between Rocky and Adrian is a driving force in all of the Rocky movies. His success in the ring often hinges on him feeling the support of his wife. In Rocky Balboa, set 16 years after Rocky's street fight with Tommy Gunn, Rocky has lost his wife to cancer and lives a somewhat lonely existence in Philadelphia. He owns a restaurant named after his wife, filled with his boxing memorabilia and is largely estranged from his son. Rocky begins to befriend Marie, the wayward teen from the original Rocky movie, and her son Steps.

A computer generated fight between Rocky in his prime and current heavy weight champion Mason "The Line" Dixon where Rocky wins sparks an interest in Rocky to take up boxing on some level again. Still suffering from his wife's death, he feels like it would be a good way to get rid of 'the stuff in the basement'. The fight also peaks the interest of fight promoters who pitch a real-life exhibition match between the fighters, with Dixon agreeing in the hope it will finally win him some respect of the fans.

Early in the fight Dixon injured his hand, which gives Rocky an opening despite his advancing years. From there a torrid back and forth fight ensues, where both the champ and Rocky win both self respect and the fans' respect through their determination. At the final bell the two fighters embrace and Rocky leaves the ring, having accomplished what he came to do. Meanwhile Dixon is named the victor through split decision. The film ends with Rocky at Adrian's grave uttering those immortal words, "Yo Adrian, we did it!"

Rocky: The Undisputed Collection contains:
Rocky , Rocky 2 , Rocky 3, Rocky 4, Rocky 5 and Rocky Balboa as well as a Rocky Anthology Bonus Disc - all on Blu-ray high definition.

Rocky: The Undisputed Collection Special Features:

• Feeling Strong Now! Game
• Three Rounds with Legendary Trainer Lou Duva
• Interview with a Legend - Bert Sugar: Author/Commentator and Historian
• The Opponents
• In the Ring: Three-Part Making-Of Documentary
• Steadicam: Then and Now with Garrett Brown
• Make Up! The Art and Form with Michael Westmore
• Staccato: A Composer's Notebook with Bill Conti
• The Ring of Truth
• Behind the Scenes with John Avildsen
• Tribute to Burgess Meredith
• Tribute to James Crabe
• Video Commentary with Sylvester Stallone
• Sylvester Stallone on Dinah! (1976)
• Stallone Meets RockyRocky Anthology Trailers: Rocky Theatrical Trailer, Rocky Teaser Trailer, Rocky II Theatrical Trailer, Rocky III Theatrical Trailer, Rocky IV Theatrical Trailer, Rocky V Theatrical Trailer, Rocky Balboa Theatrical Trailer
• Rocky TV Spots: Introducing Sylvester Stallone Critical Acclaim #1 Critical Acclaim #2

They may not come in an orthodox package but Rocky movies contain hidden gems of wisdom and inspiration, particularly Rock y Balboa. Here is a collection of some of the best quotes from the Rocky movies.

• ADRIAN! - Rocky (1976)
• 'Cause all I wanna do is go the distance. Nobody's ever gone the distance with Creed, and if I can go that distance, you see, and that bell rings and I'm still standin', I'm gonna know for the first time in my life, see, that I weren't just another bum from the neighborhood. - Rocky (1976)
• You ain't so bad, you ain't so bad, you ain't nothin'. C'mon, champ, hit me in the face! My mom hits harder than you! - Rocky III (1982)
• You're told no, even after you paid your dues? Who's got the right to tell you that, who? Nobody! It's your right to listen to your gut. It ain't nobody's right to say no after you earned the right to be where you want to be and do what you want to do! You know, the older I get the more things I gotta leave behind; that's life. The only thing I'm asking you guys to leave on the table... is what's right. - Rocky Balboa (2006)
• Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get it and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! - Rocky Balboa (2006)
• Lot of people come to Vegas to lose... I didn't - Rocky Balboa (2006)