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Rocky Balboa
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| The really special thing about the Rocky Balboa Saga is how it all began. The story goes that struggling actor Sylvestor Stallone wrote a 'spec' script about a struggling boxer who gets a chance to fight the heavyweight champ, fights his own inner demons to get in shape, and knocks the champ down in the first round, which suddenly makes the boxer a serious challenger for the heavyweight title. Producers Chartoff & Winkler liked Stallone's script, but wanted to star somebody bigger, like Robert Redford. Unknown Stallone stood his ground and said that he was the only actor who would star as Rocky – Stallone won that first round, and the rest is cinematic history. |
Rocky Links
'Rocky Balboa' character entry at Wikipedia
'Rocky' film series entry at Wikipedia
'Rocky Lives!' fansite
John G. Avildsen {director of 'Rocky' & 'Rocky 5'} credits at IMDb
Kevin's Rocky fansite
MovieProp Rocky fansite
HJ's 'Total Rocky' fansite
Other Links
Magic Lantern's Boxing Movies Film Festival Page
Magic Lantern's Muscle-Head Film Festival Page
The Rocky Films
Rocky movie series category at Amazon.com
search on keywords 'Rocky movies' on DVD at Amazon
 | "Sylvester Stallone - Rocky: The Undisputed Collection Boxed Set" [2009] includes the six Rocky films, 1976-2006, plus the "Rocky Anthology" disk with a dozen featurettes, a video game, trailers, commentary, and TV ads MGM Video widescreen color Blu-ray set [11/2009] 7 disks for $46.49 not available on Region 1 DVD |
 | "Rocky: The Complete Saga Collection" [2007]
M.G.M. widescreen color DVD [12/2007] 6 disks for $89.95 |
 | "Rocky Balboa: The Best of Rocky" [2006] 17 tracks by Bill Conti, Survivor & others Capitol soundtrack CD [12/2006] for $17.42 |
 | "Rocky Anthology: Rocky I thru Rocky V" box sets
M.G.M. widescreen color DVD [12/2006] 5 disks for $93.50 M.G.M. color DVD [12/2004] 5 disks - out of prodn/used MGM/UA widescreen DVD boxed set [4/2001] 5 disks for $114.99 MGM/UA VHS boxed set [4/2001] 5 tapes - for $7.42 {sic} |
 | "The Rocky Story: The Original Soundtrack Songs From The Rocky Movies" [1990]
Volcano audio CD [7/91] for $8.97 Universal/PolyGram audio CD [7/91] out of prodn/used |
"Rocky" [Chartoff-Winkler/United Artists Nov 1976]
  | Small-time Philadelphia boxer Rocky Balboa works out to stay in shape, but his trainer says he isn't trying hard enough to make the big time. Rocky meets shy Adrian at her pet-store job, and they fall in love. Current heavyweight boxing champ Apollo Creed decides to take on an unknown as a publicity stunt, and chooses Rocky. Rocky understands the odds against winning, but is determined to 'go the distance' against the champ Directed by John G. Avildsen; written by & starring Sylvester Stallone, co-starring
Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Burgess Meredith & Tony Burton; won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Editing, 7 other Oscar noms including Best Original Script & Best Actor; also won DGA Award, WGA nom & 5 BAFTA noms; listed on the National Film Registry (2006)
MGM/UA widescreen DVD [4/2001] for $16.99 MGM/UA color VHS [4/2001] out of stock/used Capitol soundtrack CD [10/90] for $11.98 full credits from IMDb studio website theme song ![[2min:47sec]](images/tinymusic.gif)
"Rocky" [1976] novelization by Julia Sorel Ballantine movie tie-in mass pb [11/76] out of print/many used Ballantine movie tie-in mass pb [3/77] out of print/used |
"Rocky II" [Chartoff-Winkler/UA June 1979 sequel]
 | Rocky's sudden success doesn't last, and he takes a job at a meat-packing plant, then is laid off. Apollo Creed is stung by taunts that the fight with Rocky was fixed, and pressure mounts on Rocky for a rematch, even though the damage to his eye could be worsened. During the birth of Rocky Junior, Adrian lapses into a coma and Rocky quits training; but when Adrian revives, she tells Rocky to beat Apollo Creed, so this time Rocky is determined to win against Apollo Creed Written & directed by & starring Sylvester Stallone; co-starring Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Burgess Meredith & Tony Burton
videos available new only as part of boxed sets above (Jan 2003) MGM/UA widescreen DVD [9/97] out of stock/used MGM/UA color VHS [4/96] out of stock/used Capitol soundtrack CD [10/90] for $11.98 full credits from IMDb studio website "Rocky II" novelization [1979] by Sylvester Stallone Ballantine movie tie-in mass pb [6/79] out of print/used |
"Rocky III" [MGM/UA May 1982 sequel]
 | Ten years older, Rocky has lost his fire to win and trainer Mickey advises retirement. But Mickey dies and Rocky is defeated by newcomer Clubber Lang, and pal Apollo Creed takes Rocky in hand and trains him for the rematch Written & directed by & starring Sylvester Stallone; co-starring Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Burgess Meredith, Tony Burton, Mr. T & Hulk Hogan; Oscar nomination for Best Original Song for "Eye of The Tiger" videos available new only as part of boxed sets above (Jan 2003) MGM/UA color VHS [4/96] out of stock/used Capitol soundtrack CD [10/90] for $11.98 Capitol audio [10/90] for $7.58 full credits from IMDb studio website theme song
"Rocky III" novelization [1982] by Sylvester Stallone Ballantine movie tie-in mass pb [5/82] out of print/used |
"Rocky IV" [MGM/UA Nov 1985 sequel]
 | A Russian 'super athlete' kills Apollo Creed during an exhibition match; against Adrian's wishes, Rocky vows revenge in behalf of the U.S.A. and of Apollo, and goes to Russia to train for the match Written & directed by & starring Sylvester Stallone; co-starring Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Brigitte Nielsen, Tony Burton, Michael Pataki & Dolph Lundgren videos available new only as part of boxed sets above (Jan 2003) M.G.M. widescreen color DVD [10/97] out of stock/used M.G.M. color VHS [4/96] out of stock/used Scotti Bros. soundtrack CD [3/92] for $11.98 Scotti Bros. audio [3/92] for $7.58 full credits from IMDb studio website theme song
"Rocky IV" novelization [1985] by Sylvester Stallone Ballantine movie tie-in mass pb [11/85] out of print/used |
"Rocky V" [Chartoff-Winkler/UA Nov 1990 sequel]
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After his triumphant return from Russia, Rocky's life falls apart: injuries from the fight against Drago surface, a crooked accountant has squandered Rocky's money, and he owes the IRS, and the forced move back to the old neighborhood puts Rocky Junior amongst bad influences. Rocky agrees to train rookie boxer Tommy Gunn, who dumps Rocky when he attains success, and cannot understand why the crowds boo him. At the end, Tommy goads Rocky into a Christmas Eve street brawl Directed by John G. Avildsen; written by & starring Sylvester Stallone, co-starring Talia Shire, Burt Young, Sage Stallone, Tommy Morrison, Richard Gant & Tony Burton
videos available new only as part of boxed sets above (Jan 2003) MGM/UA color VHS [1/94] out of stock/used Virgin soundtrack CD [8/95] for $36.49 full credits from IMDb studio website |
"Rocky Balboa" aka "Rocky VI"
[Chartoff-Winkler/United Artists Dec 2006]
 | Stallone announced in December 2003 an agreement with Irwin Winkler to produce "Rocky VI"; filming began in December 2005 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada In middle age, Rocky is now the owner of a delicatessen. When ESPN broadcasts a virtual fight where young Rocky beats the current 'paper champion', Rocky realizes that he wants back in the game. He reapplies for a license, which sets off a media storm, and the champion's handlers get the idea of a Battle of The Ages Written & directed by & starring Sylvester Stallone; also starring light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver, Burt Young, Geraldine Hughes, Milo Ventimiglia & Tony Burton
Sony widescreen color DVD [3/2007] for $11.49 full credits at IMDb official movie site |
"Rocky VII: Creed"
[Chartoff-Winkler/United Artists 2014?]
Announced 7/2013: Ryan Coogler of hit "Fruitvale Station" is set to direct, and probably Oscar-worthy "Fruitvale Station" star
Michael B. Jordan will portray Apollo Creed's grandson; Sylvester Stallone will produce and co-star https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3076658
the 2015 hit Creed earned $109 million domestically.
"Rocky VIII: Creed 2"
[Chartoff-Winkler/M.G.M. Nov 2018?] 
Announced 5/2018: Sylvester Stallone is co-producer, writer & star; co-produced by & starring Michael B. Jordan; co-produced by Ryan Coogler, Guy Riedel, Irwin Winkler, Charles Winkler, William Chartoff, David Winkler, Kevin King-Templeton; directed by Steven Caple Jr.; returning cast: Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Wood Harris, and Andre Ward; new cast: Dolph Lundgren as Ivan Drago, Florian 'Big Nasty' Munteanu as his son Viktor Drago; location filming in Philadelphia and in Deming, New Mexico
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6343314
Books on Rocky & Stallone
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"The Official Rocky Scrapbook" [1977] by Sylvester Stallone Grosset & Dunlap pb [1/77] out of print/used |
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"Stallone: A Rocky Life" [1998] by Frank Sanello Mainstream/Trafalgar 9x6 pb [10/98] for $15.60 |
 | "The Rocky Guide To Life: Heavyweight Wisdom To Help You Go The Distance" [2006] by Jennifer Leczkowski Running Press 6¼x6 hardcover [11/2006] for $9.95 |
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"Rocky: The Ultimate Guide" [2006] by Ed Gross, Foreword by Sylvester Stallone includes material on all six movies D.K. Adult 12x10¼ hardcover [12/2006] for $16.49 |
Other Media
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"Rocky: The Musical"
Announced 6/2011: Musical stageplay version by Sylvester Stallone & Thomas Meehan is set to open
in Germany in Fall 2012, with a Broadway debut in Spring 2013.
satirical short film "Rock'y" [1986] by Aki Kaurismไki
IMDb credits
watch silent short with music [8:17] online at YouTube
 | "The Rocky Saga: Going The Distance" TV documentary [A&E TV Networks Dec 2011]] 1-hour episode of "Biography" about the making of the first six 'Rocky' films Co-produced & co-written by Dan Goldman & David Stephan; co-written by Rob Goldberg; featuring John G. Avildsen, Garrett Brown, Tony Burton, Robert Chartoff, Bill Conti, Mark F. Hill, Dolph Lundgren, Mike Medavoy, Brigitte Nielsen, Sam Rubin, Frank Stallone, Sylvester Stallone, Milo Ventimiglia, Jeff Wald, Carl Weathers, Michael Westmore, Irwin Winkler, Jeanne Wolf, Burt Young, with archive footage of Muhammad Ali, Sasha Czack, Burgess Meredith, Tommy Morrison, Mr. T, Michael Pataki, Talia Shire, Sage Stallone, Antonio Tarver, Chuck Wepner VHS/DVD/Blu-ray not available full credits at IMDb watch movie in 12 parts [uploaded 2/2012] online at YouTube |
Sylvester Stallone Links
official Sylvester Stallone website
Sylvester Stallone's credits at Internet Movie Database
Sylvester Stallone entry at Wikipedia
CZ's 'StalloneZone' fansite
Robert's Sylvester Stallone fansite
Sylvester Stallone catalog on VHS or
on DVD at Amazon
boxer Chuck Wepner
Charles 'Chuck' Wepner was born in New York City and grew up in Bayonne, New Jersey; he served in the U.S. Marine Corps and on base-level boxing teams; in 1964 he became a professional boxer. His career included 51 total fights: 35 wins (17 by TKO), 14 losses, and 2 draws. He fought George Foreman, Sonny Liston, and Ernie Terrell, and most famously was knocked out by Muhammed Ali at just 19 seconds short of 15 rounds. Aspiring actor Sylvester Stallone witnessed the Ali-Wepner fight in 1975 and wrote the "Rocky" screenplay shortly after. Stallone denies that Wepner was the inspiration for 'Rocky'; Wepner filed a 2006 lawsuit against Stallone, which was settled for an undisclosed amount entry at Wikipedia
 | "The Real Rocky" TV movie [ESPN Oct 2011] 58-minute TV documentary; features a clip of Wepner's ninth-round knockdown of Muhammad Ali in their 1975 world heavyweight title bout Co-produced by Michael Tollin; directed by Jeff Feuerzeig; featuring Chuck Wepner, Phyllis Wepner, George Foreman, Al Braverman, attorney Anthony G. Mango, Don King, Mayor Dennis Collins, Don Wepner, Tony Perez, Gary Braverman, Irwin Winkler, Robert Chartoff, Vince McMahon, Scott Frank, with archive footage of Sylvester Stallone, Buster Mathis, Sonny Liston, Muhammad Ali, Floyd Patterson, Roy Harris, Albert Westphal, Mike Douglas, Howard Cosell, James Brown, Andr้ the Giant 51-minute T.M. color DVD-R [9/2012] for $5.99 full credits at IMDb |
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"Chuck" docudrama [I.F.C. Films May 2017] The life & legend of Chuck Wepner, one-time heavyweight boxing champion of New Jersey; announced in September 2011 as "The Bleeder", long delayed Co-produced by Michael Tollin; directed by Philippe Falardeau; co-produced & co-written by and starring Liev Schreiber; co-written by Jeff Feuerzeig, Jerry Stahl & Michael Cristofer; also starring Elisabeth Moss, Naomi Watts, Ron Perlman, Jim Gaffigan, Morgan Spector {as Stal-lone}, Jason Jones, Michael Rapaport, Pooch Hall {as Muhammad Ali}, Catherine Corcoran, Zina Wilde, Sadie Sink, Angela Marie Roy, Wass Stevens, Joe Starr, Liz Celeste, Mareli Miniutti, Lucinda Rogers, Marissa Rose Gordon, Ivan Martin, Jen Ponton, Georgia Ximenes Lifsher, Thelma O'Leary, J.J. Kandel, Liv Rooth, Megan Sikora, Melo Ludwig, William Hill, Paddy Flood, Mark Borkowski, Leslie Lyles, Kelvin Hale, Molly DePietro, Jos้ Bแez, David Boston, Rao Rampilla, Robert C. Kirk, Velizar Binev, Rick Zahn, Darren Whitfield, Anthony J. Gallo, Shade Rupe, Edward Carnevale, Jonathan Wilde, Charlie Meany, Mark Basnight, Simeon Lipman, Jacob Heimer DVD/Blu-ray not yet available full credits at IMDb official movie site movie entry at Wikipedia watch 4/2017 official trailer [1:43] at YouTube |
"American Brawler" [Massive Film Project Sept 2017]
Wepner had a development deal with Aloe Ent. for a movie about his life, but found them difficult to work with, plus much harrassment after the breakup; Wepner filed a lawsuit
in February 2016 against Aloe to prevent use of the 'Bleeder' script and other documents to produce a 'copycat' film; Aloe seems to have gone forward, and are releasing a film
starring Zach McGowan in September 2017; meager plot details suggest a focus on the 1975 title fight with Muhammad Ali.
full credits at IMDb no movie entry at Wikipedia
here on the 'Rocky Balboa' Films Page at Magic Lantern Video & Book Store
top of page links Rocky films, 1-6 Rocky VII: Creed books other media Stallone Chuck Wepner
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