Rocky  Balboa
          | links |
| 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
satirical short film "Rocky VI" [1986] at IMDb
movies & documentary films on boxing
on DVD and on VHS at Amazon.com
Magic Lantern's Sports Film Festival Page / Boxing Section
Magic Lantern's Muscle-Head Film Festival
Sylvester  Stallone  Links
official Sylvester Stallone website {Flash only}
Sylvester Stallone's credits at Internet Movie Database
Sylvester Stallone catalog at AllPosters.com
CZ's 'StalloneZone' fansite
Robert's Sylvester Stallone fansite
Sylvester Stallone catalog on VHS or on DVD at Amazon.com
Boxing  Links
Magic Lantern's Sports Film Festival Page / Boxing Section
movies & documentary films on boxing
on DVD and on VHS at Amazon.com
The  Rocky  Films
Rocky movie series category at Amazon.com
search on keywords 'Rocky movies' on DVD at Amazon
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"Rocky: The Complete Saga Collection" [2007]
M.G.M. widescreen color DVD [12/2007] 6 disks for $39.99 |
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"Rocky Anthology: Rocky I thru Rocky V" box sets
M.G.M. widescreen color DVD [12/2006] 5 disks for $34.99 M.G.M. color DVD [12/2004] 5 disks for $36.99 MGM/UA widescreen DVD boxed set [4/2001] 5 disks - out of prodn/used MGM/UA VHS boxed set [4/2001] 5 tapes - out of prodn/used |
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"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 |
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"Rocky Balboa: The Best of Rocky" [2006]
17 tracks by Bill Conti, Survivor & others Capitol soundtrack CD [12/2006] for $13.97 |
"Rocky"  [Chartoff-Winkler/United Artists Nov 1976]
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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 color VHS [4/2001] out of stock/used MGM/UA widescreen DVD [4/2001] for $16.99 Capitol soundtrack CD [10/90] for $11.98 full credits from IMDb • studio website • theme song
"Rocky" [1976] novelization by Julia Sorel
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"Rocky  II"  [Chartoff-Winkler/UA June 1979 sequel]
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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
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"Rocky  III"  [MGM/UA May 1982 sequel]
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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
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"Rocky  IV"  [MGM/UA Nov 1985 sequel]
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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
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"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]
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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 |
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 |
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"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
"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.
See also Magic Lantern Video & Book Store's
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