Film fans are in for a treat tonight as this iconic movie is set to appear on ITV, almost 50 years after the film’s legendary debut on the big screen.
Made entirely as an independent movie, and both written by and starring Sylvester Stallone, Rocky is a film that has stood the test of time. After quickly becoming the highest-grossing film of that year, Rocky went on to launch an entire film franchise, in what many consider to be boxing films at their very best.
A Rotten Tomatoes review claims: « Rocky was the best boxing film ever; it has a great cast and is a great film. » While another added: « Best movie ever. Overcoming, resilience and love. I don’t think there will ever be another movie like this. »
It’s still considered to be one of the greatest films of all time, and at the heart of that film is Stallone, who plays the titular character. Starring alongside him in the first film are Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, and Burgess Meredith.
Set against the backdrop of Philadelphia in the U.S., the film introduced the world to Rocky Balboa, a poor man who spends his time as a boxer in a club and who gets an unlikely shot at competing in the world heavyweight championship. Due to the undefeated fighter’s scheduled opponent being injured, Rocky steps in to fight the reigning champion, Apollo Creed.
He begins an intense training schedule, led by a feisty former bantamweight contender, played by Burgess Meredith, and it’s during this that Rocky develops a close relationship with a local misfit, Adrian. Motivated by love and the desire to prove himself as worthy, the film is a story of pure grit and determination and how unbreakable the human spirit truly is.
One viewer shared: « A classic that marked an era in the cinema. Rocky It tells a vivid and detailed story from Rocky Balboa, captivating the hearts of the fans. The fight scenes? Epic, dramatic, jaw-opening. »
Another impressed fan of the film wrote: « It’s one of those movies whose imagery you know even if you’ve never seen it. Iconic films like this become part of the public consciousness—whether or not you care about cinema.
« If you’re not into sports movies, you might hesitate before watching Rocky. But despite what you might expect, this isn’t really a film about boxing. The climactic fight only takes up eight minutes of screen time. So what’s the movie really about? It’s the story of a man breaking free from the tyranny of his own illusions. »
The film received critical acclaim for Stallone’s writing, as well as the other aspects of the film, and went on to win Best Picture at the Oscars. With such success, it wasn’t long before they created a sequel, which led to a total of six films being made before they eventually created another series based on the boxer Rocky fought in the films.
The Creed films launched in 2015, taking the inspiring story to even newer territories and featuring cameos from the original Rocky himself. A review mentions the lasting impact of the film, stating it is « an absolute classic that still holds up to this day. »
It continues to say: « From Rocky being a dynamic protagonist who isn’t 100% a great guy, he goes on to put up a great fight and not win. It’s unpredictable, and it’s fantastic. This film is such a classic that films, stories, and other entertainment still try to mimic its power. »
Kick back tonight for the perfect movie night in as Rock appears on ITV4 at 11:40pm. If that’s way past your bedtime, the film is also available to stream on ITVX.
