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In 1976, undistinguished bit player Sylvester Stallone became an overnight sensation with the release of Rocky, a modestly produced drama that brought cheering audiences to their feet, won that year's Best Picture Oscar, and ultimately spawned four sequels. The film's surprise success vindicated both Stallone, who had written the script as a starring vehicle for himself, and little-known director John G. Avildsen, who cleverly retooled old B-movie characters and plot devices for '70s moviegoers. Stallone's protagonist, would-be prizefighter Rocky Balboa, inspired viewers with the courage and dedication he exhibited while preparing for his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a title fight with current champ Apollo Creed (played memorably by Carl Weathers). Veteran character actor Burgess Meredith was dazzling as Rocky's grizzled, feisty trainer, and Talia Shire contributed a sensitive performance as the challenger's shy girlfriend. Working with limited resources, Avildsen, who won the Best Director Oscar for his effort, turned in a finished product not unlike its eponymous hero: gritty and rough-edged, with plenty of heart and raw energy to spare. A quarter century later, firmly entrenched in American pop culture and undiminished by innumerable, witless parodies and cheesy knockoffs, Rocky is one ringside opus that still packs a wallop. The 25th Anniversary DVD edition sports a newly filmed, 33-minute interview with Stallone, along with an audio commentary by Avildsen, a behind-the-scenes featurette including cast and crew, a tribute to Burgess Meredith, and a potpourri of advertising and promotional material. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

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 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

Product Details

• UPC: 027616063489
• Source: MGM (VIDEO & DVD)
• Region Code: A
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: DTS 5.1-Channel Surround Sound
• Language: English
• Time: 1:59:00
• Sales Rank: 17,914

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• The Greatest Sports Films of All Time
• MGM Best Picture Gift Set
• United Artists Super Deluxe Gift Set (90 films)
• Jock Collection
• Jock Collection
• Rocky: the Undisputed Collection

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