The First Five Rocky Movies (How I Remember Them)

In this segment, I am going to cover the First 5 Rocky Movies the way I remember them. The first film the Original Rocky was released in 1976 on a low shoestring budget and a short shooting schedule. Sylvester Stallone went to watch the March 24, 1975, Muhammad Ali KO15 Chuck Wepner on closed-circuit TV and the Rocky Balboa character was born.

Stallone was an unknown at the time and wrote the original screenplay. He was offered big money to let a more popular actor choices were Burt Reynolds and Ryan O Neal play the title character.

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Before we get into the full article, don’t forget to pick up your copy of a blu-ray/dvd set of all 5 of the first Rocky movies.

Rocky 1

He played the role himself gambled and was a household name overnight. Rocky Balboa a down on his luck club fighter with a 44-20 record accepts a challenge by undefeated Champion Apollo Creed for the World Heavyweight title on January 1, 1976.

Balboa an enormous underdog defies the odds and was the first opponent to go the distance with the flamboyant Creed. Rocky lost a split decision but won the hearts of fans and America. Joe Frazier also appears in this movie.

Rocky 2

Released in 1979. Rocky is temporarily out of Boxing gets married to Adrian Pennino and tries working a regular 9 to 5 job. Apollo Creed yearning for a rematch starts the tactics to get Rocky’s attention embarrassing the Proud Balboa.

Adrian goes into premature labor and in a coma and Rocky just cannot get motivated for the upcoming rematch which is scheduled to take place on Thanksgiving Day 1976 in his hometown of Philadelphia at the Spectrum. When Adrian comes out of the coma she tells Rocky she wants him to win the title for her.

That is the spark Rocky needs and he trains like never before. Rocky wins the Heavyweight title in a thrilling double knockdown beating Creed before 10 a count is administered. Roberto Duran also appeared in this movie.

Rocky 3

Released in 1982. Rocky has tasted success and is now a matinee idol. He has big money easy fights fanfare 10 title defenses that were in essence handpicked. Meanwhile, we are shown glimpses of a hungry upcoming contender Clubber Lang, who is mowing down opponent after opponent en route to a title shot.

Mickey takes notice and attends some of his fights and is in fear for Rocky’s life. Rocky is carefree participating in Charity events but eventually during a statute introduction. Clubber comes to the front of the crowd and challenges Rocky. He also tells the crowd and the fans that Rockys fights are all setups.

Rocky changes his original retirement plans and a fight with Lang is set. Mickey is badly injured has a heart attack and dies and Rocky is knocked out in 2 rounds by Lang. Apollo Creed comes to Rocky’s aid and tells Rocky he would like to train him.

Once again Rocky just cannot get motivated. Adrian comes to the rescue and that is the motivation Rocky needs. He trains hard and reveals a whole new style and bedazzles Lang stopping him in 3 rounds. Rocky and Apollo have a fight between themselves in private and that is how the movie ends. Hulk Hogan appears in this one.

Rocky 4

Released in 1985. This movie takes on a very political theme. Observation Rocky changes his whole appearance looking like a small heavyweight to a bodybuilder looking middleweight.

The U.S.A. VS THE U.S.S.R

An amateur named Ivan Drago is challenged by a past his prime Apollo Creed. Rocky tries to talk Creed out of this but reluctantly trains Apollo for this ill-advised fight. Tragedy occurs and Creed dies from his injuries sustained for the bout. Rocky knows an inevitable confrontation with Drago awaits him.

This bout is scheduled to take place on Christmas Day in the Soviet Union Rocky trains in seclusion in the foreign land with Duke Apollo’s trainer and Paulie.

Once again Rocky just cannot get motivated. When Adrian comes to visit and stay that is just the spark and momentum Rocky needs. A touching tender moment takes place before the fight with Drago between Rocky and Paulie.

Paulie tells Rocky he loves him. Rocky wins over the crowd and defeats Drago and the story has a happy ending. Observation most of Rocky’s big fights seem to take place on major holidays New Years Thanksgiving and Christmas. James Brown appears in this movie.

Rocky 5

Released in 1990. Rocky is having complications after the Drago win. He returns home and discovers all his earnings from the past are gone. He also at Adrian’s request goes to visit a Doctor and discovers he has irreversible brain damage. Meanwhile, Rocky Adrian’s son Robert and Paulie move to Paulie’s old house.

Rocky takes over the deceased Mickey’s Gym and a young upstart starts training there. His name is Tommy Gunn. George Washington Duke a Don King clone is trying to talk Rocky into making a boxing comeback to no avail. Gunn starts to win fight after fight and Rocky is back to being in good spirits once again.

George Washington Duke sees Tommy as his way to get Rocky back into the ring. He gives Tommy a new car and a large bonus and Tommy signs with him against Rocky’s wishes. Tommy wins the title but the public will not accept him as anything but a cheap Rocky imitation.

Tommy thanks Duke but not Rocky and appears at the local Pub Rocky and Paulie are in. He and Duke challenging Rocky to a boxing match just what Duke wants. Paulie intertwines and Tommy knocks him down loosening several teeth.

That is the motivation Rocky needs and he calls Tommy out then and there. Duke refuses but Tommy is eager. A wild street brawl occurs and Rocky defeats Gunn he then gives Duke a solid gutshot knocking him down. The film ends with Rocky’s dignity restored and his family life all in order and a trip to The Philadelphia Art Museum to the Statute of his likeness.

In the closing credits in still black and white photos the 5 movies are recalled. Tommy Morrison has a starring role. Another movie Rocky Balboa would be released in 2006 but I am not going to cover that. These movies are very relevant to boxing history and yesteryear and as a result, Sylvester Stallone was given a statute introduced in Rocky 3, and in 2011 he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame.

I am your host Frank Reading and I am a middle-aged former boxing mega-fan from the 1980s-1990s. I have no allegiance or affiliation with any Boxing Organization Alliance or Federation.

I have a background in research and public speaking as well as boxing training and coaching. I hope you will enjoy the factual information provided on this program. My goal is to educated and inform the listener on the History of “The Sweet Science”