Rocky

Rocky

-1976 sports drama directed by John G. Avildsen
-Stars Sylvester Stallone as a 4th rate boxer named Rocky Balboa, who is an uneducated boxer working for a local loan shark
-Stars Talia Shire as Adrian, Burt Young as Paulie, Burgess Meredith as Mickey
-Was shot in only 28 days

Did You Know?
-When Sylvester Stallone was asked to star in the movie, he only had about $106 in the bank and a dog he could not afford to feed
-Took his name from real life boxer Rocky Marciano
-The photos on Rocky's mirror are actual photos of Sylvester Stallone when he was younger
-The first sports movie to win an Academy Award for Best Picture


Cutie!

Plot
-On Nov. 25, 1975, Rocky Balboa(Sylvester Stallone) is a boxer, working for a local loan shark named Anthony Gazzo(Joe SpinellI), living in the Kensington neighborhood of Phildelphia. The World Heavyweight Championship is scheduled to happen on New Year's Day, 1976. The champ is a guy named Apollo Creed(Carl Weathers). When his opponent is hurt, Creed comes up with the idea to give a local underdog a shot at the title. He chooses Rocky because of his unique nickname, "The Italian Stallion." He then puts it in lights: "Apollo Creed Meets The Italian Stallion."

 -Rocky starts preparing for the fight. He starts with a 1920s era ex-fighter named Micky Goldmill(Burgess Meredith). He considers Rocky's potential to be better than his effort, and they both fight over Micky's intentions for training Rocky. Rocky's good friend Paulie(Burt Young) is a meat packing plant worker, who lets him practice punching on the meat hanging in the freezer. During the training, Rocky starts dating Paulie's sister Adrian(Talia Shire), who is quiet, shy. She works as the clerk in a local pet store. The night before the fight, Rocky tells Adrian he does not think he can win the fight. He says he wants to 'go the distance'(meaning last 15 rounds). This is where Rocky suffers his first injury: a broken nose.

-As the fight goes on, each man sustains more injuries, and Creed is impressed by Rocky's ability to take such a beating. When the final bell rings, both fighters are locked in the arms of each other and Creed, now worn out, remarks "Ain't gonna be no re-match". When the fight is done, Rocky calls out Adrian's name, who runs down to the ring, crying. The announcer then announces that the winner will be a split decision. Rocky and Adrian hold each other in their arms, while announcing to each other how much they love one another.

Cast

Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, an enforcer for a loan shark by day and a semi-pro boxer by night. He is given the chance at the heavyweight title.

Talia Shire as Adrian Pennino, Rocky's love interest; a quiet pet store clerk who falls in love with Rocky and supports him through his training.

Burt Young as Paulie Pennino, Adrian's brother; a meat-packing plant worker by trade, Paulie permits Rocky to train in the freezer.

Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed, Rocky's opponent and heavyweight champion. The character was influenced by the outspoken, real-life boxing great Muhammad Ali.^[5]

Burgess Meredith as Mickey Goldmill: Rocky's manager and trainer, a former bantamweight fighter from the 1920s and the owner of the local boxing gym.

Thayer David as George Jergens: the fight promoter who has "promoted fights all over the world".

Joe Spinnell as Tony Gazzo, loan shark and Rocky's employer