Classic 70s Movie: “Rocky”
September is Classic 70s Movie month. Today’s guest post comes from Daryl Powell.
Movie Title: Rocky
Year: 1976
Writer: Sylvester Stallone
Lead Actors: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young
Director: John G. Avildsen
IMDB Plot Summary: Rocky Balboa, a small-time boxer, gets a supremely rare chance to fight the heavy-weight champion, Apollo Creed, in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.
Why I Think This Is A Classic 70s Movie: Rocky is perhaps the greatest underdog movie ever made. And like most underdog movies, it’s about respect. You can see it reflected in all the characters. Rocky gets no respect because people see him as a dumb fighter, Adrian is smart, but plain, which lead to some cutting insults from her mother. Pauley wants to work for Rocky’s loan shark boss, thinking he’d get more respect than being a meat packer. Even Little Marie gets a lecture on respect from Rocky as he walks her home.
Mickey is great as a mentor that starts out not respecting Rocky. He also comes from his own background filled with lack of respect. His biggest achievement, knocking his opponent out of the ring, was overshadowed by a Dempsey fight the same night.
And of course the ideal to strive towards is Apollo Creed. Well respected, he’s at the peak of his career, as well as physically and mentally, and he has a total lack of respect for Rocky’s abilities.
A good theme is like DNA. It goes through the entire film. Rocky does this effortlessly. That’s what makes a good movie. An idea that everyone can relate to, and an interesting world to explore that idea. And who doesn’t like rooting for an underdog?
My Favorite Moment In The Movie:
Rocky: I can’t do it.
Adrian: What?
Rocky: I can’t beat him.
Adrian: Apollo?
Rocky: Yeah. I been out there walkin’ around, thinkin’. I mean, who am I kiddin’? I ain’t even in the guy’s league.
Adrian: What are we gonna do?
Rocky: I don’t know.
Adrian: You worked so hard.
Rocky: Yeah, that don’t matter. ’Cause I was nobody before.
Adrian: Don’t say that.
Rocky: Ah come on, Adrian, it’s true. I was nobody. But that don’t matter either, you know? ’Cause I was thinkin’, it really don’t matter if I lose this fight. It really don’t matter if this guy opens my head, either. ’Cause all I wanna do is go the distance. Nobody’s ever gone the distance with Creed, and if I can go that distance, you see, and that bell rings and I’m still standin’, I’m gonna know for the first time in my life, see, that I weren’t just another bum from the neighborhood.
This is a great scene because you have Adrian’s line “What are we going to do?” We, not you. She’s showing her emotional connection, her love for Rocky. And if we look at love as a type of respect, that’s exactly what Rocky needs.
The other thing I like is this is where Rocky changes his goal. He moves away from his Want, to win the fight, and embraces his Need, to be able to respect himself, by vowing to be the first fighter to go the distance with the champ.
My Favorite Dialogue In the Movie: “It doesn’t really matter, does it?” and “I’m sure you’re gonna give us a great show.” Great subtext. Only two sentences and Rocky learns that he doesn’t have a chance at beating Creed, and that nobody respects his talent enough to even think he can win.
Key Things You Should Look For When Watching This Movie: This is one of the first few movies to use the newly developed Steadicam technology, particularly in the training/jogging sequences and the fight sequence.
The opening scene is a great example of Character being Action. The very first image we see is the stained glass window of the church Rocky is fighting in. This is Rocky’s sacred calling. He is a fighter. He is doing the one thing he wants to do above all. Likewise with Adrian. She’s a nurturer, taking care of animals in the pet store. She uses that empathy to help nurture Rocky emotionally as the movie goes on.
Thanks, Daryl! To show our gratitude for your guest post, here’s a dash of creative juju for you. Whoosh!
We already have a set of 80s Movies and 90s Movies. This month, we’re working on 70s Movies.
Thanks to all of you for your participation in this project, creating a resource for writers, movies we should all watch to help learn the craft of screenwriting!
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