A lifetime of taking shots has ended Rocky’s career, and a crooked accountant has left him broke. Inspired by the memory of his trainer, however, Rocky finds glory in training and takes on an up-and-coming boxer.
Acting
Stallone's genuine brain damage tremor acting is weirdly committed.
Practical Effects
Street fight finale hits harder than any ring match in the film.
Director
John G. Avildsen
Sylvester Stallone
Robert 'Rocky' Balboa
Talia Shire
Adrianna 'Adrian' Balboa
Burt Young
Paulie Pennino
Richard Gant
George Washington Duke
Tommy Morrison
Tommy 'Machine' Gunn
Sage Stallone
Robert 'Rocky' Balboa Jr.
Burgess Meredith
Mickey Goldmill
Tony Burton
Tony 'Duke' Evers
Jimmy Gambina
Jimmy
Delia Sheppard
Karen
Mike Girard Sheehan
Merlin Sheets
Kevin Connolly
Chickie
Elisebeth Peters
Jewel
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Stallone hated this film so much he wrote Rocky Balboa (2006) specifically to erase it from canon.
The brain damage subplot was Stallone's attempt to address boxing's dark reality, but studio interference turned it into melodrama.
US
