Variety
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.
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Rocky
Sylvester Stallone's classic, American dream sports drama following small time boxer Rocky Balboa's once-in-a-lifetime shot at winning the heavyweight title, as well as his own sense of self-respect. Winner of Best Picture at the 1977 Academy Awards.
Working class Philadelphian Balboa (Stallone) has struggled to ascend past his 'nobody' status as a boxer. When heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) visits his local town, a money-spinning exhibition match is set up: the world champ will give an unknown the chance for a title. Loving his nickname 'The Italian Stallion', Balboa is selected. With his ex-trainer Mickey (Burgess Meredith) and girlfriend Adrian (Talia Shire) by his side, Balboa takes on the tremendous odds, setting motion to a triumphant underdog story.
Winner of Best Picture and Director, Academy Awards 1977.
1976Rating: M, contains low level offensive language119 minsUSA
ActionDramaSportRomance
- Director:
- John G. Avildsen ('The Karate Kid', 'Rocky V')
- Writer:
- Sylvester Stallone
- Cast:
- Sylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungCarl WeathersBurgess Meredith
Rocky / Reviews
The New York Times
The screenplay is purest Hollywood make-believe... there would be nothing wrong with that, had the film been executed with any verve.
Full reviewRoger Ebert
Rocky isn't about a story, it's about a hero. And it's inhabited with supreme confidence by a star.
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BBC
The memorable combination of the torturous gym workouts, the runs through the streets of Philadelphia and the carcass-beating in the abattoir all combine beautifully.
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