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"Just Think, One
Day You'll Make a Film
About Arm-Wrestling" |
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Directed by John G.
Avildsen - Written by
Sylvester Stallone
Starring Sylvester
Stallone, Talia Shire,
Burt Young, Carl
Weathers
Distributed by United
Artists - 1976 - 119mins
- Rated PG |
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His whole life was a million-to-one shot! |
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When
you look at the films that "Rocky" won Best Picture over back in 1976,
it first strikes you as odd how the story of a struggling boxer who
"goes the distance" won over "Taxi Driver," "Network," and "All the
President's Men."
"Rocky" was the brainchild of Sylvester Stallone, who not only stars
as Rocky, but wrote the script as well. It tells the story of Rocky
Balboa, a poor man whose only talent is boxing. Through a freak event,
he gets the once of a lifetime chance to fight Apollo Creed (Carl
Weathers), the current champion.
In terms of grand film-making, "Rocky" does not stand out, but in
terms of uplifting, feel-good, wonderful entertainment, "Rocky" stands
out. Rocky is a true American hero. He's a nobody, who becomes a
somebody through talent and persistence.
The script is pretty standard stuff, but the true power is how it is
presented under the watch of an excellent director and a superb editor
(both won Oscars). The technical standout is the brilliant, inspiring
musical score that I can listen to for hours on end (I'm typing to the
beat of it right now).
The biggest surprise for me was Stallone. In an age where he only does
direct-to-video crap, one forgets that he really is a talented actor
and his performance is unforgettable.
There are some slow moments in "Rocky" (hence the A-), but when it
soars, it SOARS. This is a film for everyone, and it is a must see for
lovers of film and stories of triumph. |
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© Written by Jacob Hall -
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TC Candler's Comment
Here is
the definitive example of a film whose
reputation has suffered because of weak sequels.
However, I think this film holds up as one of
the best from the 1970's. It is so much
more than some people give it credit for.
This is a film about a man... not a boxer.
Richard Propes' Comment
n/a
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