Rocky - Trivia, Questions and Fun Facts

[kyle]

When first offered the directing job John G. Avildsen turned it down because he wasn't interested in boxing. But upon reading the script he was sold when on page three Rocky was having a conversation with his turtles.

[richard]

The film was shot in 28 days.

[kenneth]

Rocky has three pets at the beginning of the film. Two turtles named "Cuff" and "Link" as well as a goldfish named "Moby Dick".

[jeffrey]

Most of the scenes of Rocky jogging through Philadelphia were shot guerrilla-style, with no permits, no equipment and no extras. The shot where he runs past the moored boat for example; the crew were simply driving by the docks and John G. Avildsen saw the boat and thought it would make a good visual, so he had Sylvester Stallone simply get out of the van and run along the quays while Avildsen himself filmed from the side door. A similar story concerns the famous shot of Rocky jogging through the food market. As he runs, the stall keepers and the people on the sidewalks can clearly be seen looking at him in bemusement. While this works in the context of the film to suggest they're looking at Rocky, in reality, they had no idea why this man was running up and down the road being filmed from a van. During this scene, the famous shot where the stall owner throws Rocky an orange was completely improvised by the stall owner, who had no idea that a movie was being filmed and that he would be in it.

[violet]

Prior to shooting the fight between Sylvester Stallone and Carl Weathers, John G. Avildsen decided that the scenes needed to be shot in a unique way so as to make the boxing more realistic than in other boxing movies of the period. He, Weathers and Stallone all went to a ring and began to block out the moves, but it wasn't working, and the fight was coming across as staged and not very energetic. After stuntmen/fight choreographers Paul Stader and George P. Wilbur resigned due to creative disagreements, Avildsen then told Stallone to go home and literally write out the fight; 'Rocky throws a left, Creed moves back, Creed goes right, Rocky goes right Creed jabs low etc'. The next day, Stallone returned with 32 pages of specific directions for the fight, which he and Weathers learned off like a ballet over a period of a few weeks. In total, Stallone and Weathers rehearsed for over 35 hours.

[sylvia]

The only film in the Rocky series not to feature the end credits alongside a stylized visual, as they just appear as regular white text on a black backdrop. Rocky II (1979) featured the yellow and black image of Rocky and Mickey hugging next to the end credits, Rocky III (1982) featured the LeRoy Neiman painting of Rocky and Apollo behind the end credits, Rocky IV (1985) featured a montage of black and white stills of the film's events behind the end credits, Rocky V (1990) featured a montage of blue-tinted black and white stills of the major events from Rocky I through V behind the end credits, and Rocky Balboa (2006) featured both a montage of Philadelphia citizens and tourists running up the stairs of the Philadelphia Museum of Art followed by an image of Rocky (or, some feel, Sylvester Stallone himself) standing alone at the edge of the steps.

[leo]

Paulie is a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer, which is alluded to by the photo of him in his Navy Chief's uniform, appearing to be finishing up his retirement ceremony. That would be why, although he has a low-paying job at a meat-packing facility, he can afford a house; he's drawing a lifetime pension after being in the Navy 20+ years.

[lonnie]

Sylvester Stallone insisted that the scene where he admits his fears and doubts to Adrian the night before the fight be filmed, even though production was running far behind and the producers wanted to skip it. Stallone had only one take for the scene, despite the fact that he considered it to be the most important scene in the film.

[iamfaisalkhan_]

Rocky II 1979

After Rocky goes the distance with champ Apollo Creed both try to put the fight behind them and move on. Rocky settles down with Adrian but cant put his life together outside the ring while Creed seeks a rematch to restore his reputation. ...

Rocky II features inspirational, rough, sincere, feel good and captivating style.

[cameron]

Rocky III 1982

Now the world champion Rocky Balboa is living in luxury and only fighting opponents who pose no threat to him in the ring until Clubber Lang challenges him to a bout. After taking a pounding from Lang the humbled champ turns to former bitter ...

Rocky III features inspirational, captivating, suspenseful, action packed and action adventure style.

[pavelnob]

Creed 2015

The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.

Creed features inspirational, reflective, suspense, emotional and brutal style.

[claude]

Creed II 2018

Follows Adonis Creeds life inside and outside of the ring as he deals with new found fame issues with his family and his continuing quest to become a champion.

Creed II features inspirational, captivating, uplifting, motivational and melancholic style.

[ray]

Girlfight 2000

Diana Guzman begins to train as a boxer and achieves impressive success blazing new trails for female boxers all while keeping it a secret from her father.

Girlfight features uplifting, independent film, captivating, touching and realistic style.

[Algoridmsip]

The Express 2008

Based on the incredible true story The Express follows the inspirational life of college football hero Ernie Davis the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.

The Express features inspirational, uplifting, emotional, factual and serious style.

[victoria]

Rudy 1993

Rudy grew up in a steel mill town where most people ended up working but wanted to play football at Notre Dame instead. There were only a couple of problems. His grades were a little low his athletic skills were poor and he was only half the size ...

Rudy features inspirational, tear jerker, uplifting, emotional and feel good style.

[camila]

Never Back Down 2008

Rebellious Jake Tyler is lured into an ultimate underground fight Scene at his new high school after receiving threats to the safety of his friends and family Jake decides to seek the mentoring of a veteran fighter who trains him for one final ...

Never Back Down features inspirational, serious, exciting, intense and entertaining style.

[moviebuff]

First Match 2018

Hardened by years in foster care a teenage girl from Brooklyns Brownsville neighborhood decides that wrestling boys is the only way back to her estranged father.

First Match features inspirational, realistic, uplifting, touching and serious style.

[jeffrey]

Peaceful Warrior 2006

A chance encounter with a stranger changes the life of a college gymnast.

Peaceful Warrior features inspirational, philosophical, spiritual, thought provoking and sincere style.

[Faisal Zahid]

42 2013

The powerful story of Jackie Robinson the legendary baseball player who broke Major League Baseballs color barrier when he joined the roster of the Brooklyn Dodgers. The film follows the innovative Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey the ...

42 features inspirational, sentimental, emotional, touching and factual style.

[kenneth]

Carrie Snodgress was originally offered the role of Adrian, but dropped out due to a disagreement about money. Susan Sarandon auditioned for the role, but was deemed too obviously attractive for the character.