Rocky 4 Special
All about Rocky 4 Movie
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IMAGES:
Picture Gallery 1 Miscellaneous Pictures
Picture Gallery 2 Miscellaneous Pictures
Rocky Photos from Rocky 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Rambo Photos from First Blood, Rambo 1, 2, 3, 4
Other Movie Stills
Magazine Covers, Scans, Childhood
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This time, Rocky comes out of retirement to do battle for the greatest prize of all - America. "World War III" - instead of being fought with guns and Atom bombs, s being fought with fists - and Rocky is representing the free world.
Rocky IV (1985)
Genre(s): Drama, Action, Romance and Sports
Directed by: Sylvester Stallone
Written by: Sylvester Stallone
Produced by: James D. Brubaker, Arthur Chobanian, Robert Chartoff
Country: USA
Language: English
Runtime: 91 min.
Color: Color (Technicolor)
Sound Mix: 70 mm 6-Track / Dolby
Cast & Credits:
Sylvester Stallone .... Rocky Balboa
Talia Shire .... Adrian
Burt Young .... Paulie
Carl Weathers .... Apollo Creed
Brigitte Nielsen .... Ludmilla
Tony Burton .... Duke
Michael Pataki .... Nicoli Koloff
Dolph Lundgren .... Ivan Drago
Stu Nahan .... Commentator
R.J. Adams .... Sports Announcer
Al Bandiero .... American Commentator
Dominic Barto .... Russian Government Official
Danial Brown .... Rocky Jr.'s Friend
James Brown .... The Godfather of Soul
Rose Mary Campos .... Maid
Summary / Synopsis:
"C'mon! It ain't so bad!" Rocky shouts in the third round of his rematch with Clubber Lang. The monstrous fighter throws punch after punch at Balboa, but it only gets the hero of Philadelphia madder. Suddenly, Rocky launches a flurry of blows, not letting up for an instant. Right hooks and bone-crunching lefts smash into Lang's face, knocking the bruiser to the ground once and for all. The champ leaps into the air, his title and honor regained.
After the match, Apollo calls in the favor he made Rocky promise him in return for training for the rematch. Together, the two aging greats step into the right of a small, out-of-the-way gym just so Creed can see for himself who's really the better fighter.
Hours later, they walk out, battered and bruised, but content. For both of them, their little sparring session was supposed to be the last time either would ever have to put on their gloves. Now, they seem ready to give up the spotlight and settle down to the easy life of retirement. But appearances are often deceiving...
Arriving home, the champ finds Rocky Jr. trying to capture his uncle Paulie's birthday on video-tape. Deciding that Paulie has no real friends the Balboas give him one: a household robot that can put up with any amount of griping Adrian's brother might dish out. Rocky and his son study various academic subjects via computer programs, and, all in all, the champ is happily getting settled into his new lifestyle.
Apollo, on the other hand, is becoming more and more dissatisfied. Spending the rest of his days fishing is not exactly what he planned to do with his life. Turning on his portable TV, he sees a press conference held by the newly arrived, giant, Russian amateur boxer, Ivan Drago, and his party. He listens to the announcement of their plans to enter professional boxing. His eyes ablaze, Apollo quickly heads for Rocky's house.
Balboa is surprised to see his former trainer, and even more surprised when Apollo asks if he's going to fight the Russian. Rocky responds that he wasn't planning on it. "Great," Apollo says, "then I think I've come up with a great idea ..."
Meanwhile, Drago's manager, Igor Rimsky, is taking great pride in showing off the giant's gym to the American press. The training room is spotless and antiseptic, looking more like a laboratory than a place for athletes to get in shape. Rimsky goes on at great length at how all of this aids in improving their man's performance, while Drago, hooked to electrodes and computers, waits for an order to be given. When asked what the result of all this is, Rimsky replies, "Whatever he hits, he destroys."
That night, Apollo explains to the Balboa clan his plans to get back into the ring for an exhibition match with the Soviet boxer. Believing this will be a tremendous media event, Creed feels that this is America's big chance to make Russia look bad for a change. Adrian thinks that the real reason is that he can't stand to be forgotten, and despite her arguments, Rocky agrees to do his friend a favor and be in his corner.
Apollo quickly calls a press conference of his own, but hardly anyone attends, and those that do can't understand why an aging fighter retired for five years should want to do this. Afterward, Rocky tries to cheer him up, even though he's starting to think that maybe Adrian was right. Creed snaps back, sharply telling Balboa that they -he and Rocky- are not like other people. "We're never gonna fit into normal life - never - 'cause we're the warriors ... and without a war to fight, a warrior may as well be dead too!"
The following day, Apollo and Rocky storm into the Soviet training facility where Creed openly challenges Drago to a fight. Soon, a new press conference is held with both Apollo and Drago as the star attractions. Reporters are out in droves covering the announcement of this exhibition battle, though they hear more talk of patriotism and propaganda than they do of boxing. Still, Apollo seems to be getting what he wants.
Adrian tells her husband that she's got bad feelings about all this, but Rocky feels he's got to stand by his friend. All over Las Vegas, people catch sight of Balboa putting Apollo through grueling exercises - running, jumping rope, sparring. Rocky has his doubts, though, and wants to wait until they can get in a few more weeks of training, and can have the time to learn more about their opponent. Apollo is firm, thought. This fight means something to him and it will go on as scheduled.
The night of the big fight, Apollo shows up in his old Uncle Sam outfit, while Drago appears with his usual hammer-and-sickle symbols. Tension fills the air. The bell rings and Creed is out, slamming away at the giant, apparently to no avail. The Russian behemoth starts landing solid punches of his own, and they're all painfully on target. By the end of the round, it looks bad for Creed.
Rocky wants to stop the fight, but Apollo refuses to let it end, despite the punishment he's taken. Round two begins and Drago is back brutally smashing the very life out of the American. Rocky wants to know if he should throw in the towel, but Creed won't let him, diving heroically back into combat. The Soviet is momentarily stunned, but he starts launching blow after blow to Apollo's head, nearly taking it off. One more punch and Creed drops to the mat, never to rise again.
In the days that follow, Rocky is consumed with guilt, feeling he let Apollo die. Adrian can see clouds of vengeance in Rocky's eyes, and warns him to let it go, but the champ is firm in his resolve. He tries speaking to the United Boxing Federation about battling Drago, but they refuse on the grounds that the Russian has yet to have one professional fight and is therefore still considered an amateur. At a press conference, Rocky announces that he is giving up his title and his professional status so that he can fight Drago. Christmas in Russia is agreed upon date and place.
Training soon begins for the hero from Philadelphia, and impediments spring up almost immediately. Adrian won't support his vengeance-seeking, sportscasters start asking provocative and insulting questions, well-meaning patriotic fans appear almost constantly around him and a couple of government agents, concerned with national prestige, even try to persuade him not to go through with it.
Finally, Balboa decides to get away from everything by training in Russia. Adrian tries to talk Rocky out of it, but her husband is determined, realizing that Apollo was right, that fighters are a breed apart and there are certain things they have to do.
Arriving in the Soviet Union, Rocky, Paulie and Apollo's old trainer, Duke, are provided with a ramshackle barn in the desolate Russian countryside, along with a couple of nosy secret policemen. Paulie and Duke complain a little about their living conditions and the biting winter weather, but they both recognize that it's just what Rocky needs.
Serious training begins in earnest for the two warriors, although their methods differ wildly. Drago, ever attached to electrodes and constantly monitored by computers, works out with steel and chrome equipment. Like a machine responding to the flick of a switch, he snaps out punches at blinding speed whenever ordered.
Rocky, on the other hand, uses only whatever material is available. He climbs rope, does pull-ups on wooden beams, jogs past Russian peasants and struggles mightily with a rock-filled sled, dragging it up the side of a mountain. He is almost ready, but he's missing one thing. When Adrian shows up unexpectedly, to support him emotionally, his heart is restored, and he is once again at his physical and emotional best.
The Soviet arena is filled with sports commentators from all corners of the globe, members of the Kremlin, interested spectators and, above all else, tension. The entire world is watching, waiting anxiously to see who will be the victor of "World War III."
Rocky, Paulie, and Duke enter the arena to the sounds of booing and jeering. Drago and Rimsky are cheered wildly. The Russian National anthem is played, and the referee gives the men the instructions and sends them to their corners. With the bell about to ring, it feels like all hell is about to break loose. Seeing Adrian in a front row seat, Rocky nods to her and takes off his robe. The crowd goes wild at the sight of his red, white, and blue trunks, the same ones Apollo used to wear, but Drago is unimpressed.
The bell rings and the two rush at each other. Rocky gets in some early punches, but Drago is quickly on top of him. Balboa, though, is using all the skills he learned from Mickey and Apollo and is managing to stand up against the storm of fists. Drago can't believe that anyone can still be standing after such punishment and his self-confidence crumbles.
Round after round flies by. Rocky scores a fantastic hit on his enemy's face, causing him to bleed for the first time, bringing down more of his resolve. The fight becomes more intense.
By the fourteenth round, both battlers are bruised and wounded, but neither is about to back off. As the two head back to their corners, the crowd is now wildly cheering for Rocky. Rimsky is thoroughly disgusted with Drago and, for all intents and purposes, deserts him.
The bell rings again and the two men dart out of their corners. It looks bad for Rocky though. All but dead on his feet, he takes one crushing blow after another from Drago. The crowd starts chanting, "Rocky, Rocky..." Suddenly, Balboa comes alive and smashes away at the behemoth, knocking him down and finally out of the ring.
The audience goes out of their minds. Adrian runs up to her husband, kissing him and she says, "I'm so proud of you!" Paulie takes out an American flag and drapes it around his friend's shoulders, while adoring fans rush into the ring to lift Rocky onto their shoulders, crowning him the champion of the world.
Production Notes:
When Rocky IV began filming in the spring of 1985, it seemed like a class reunion for many members of the cast and crew. Nearly ten years earlier they began filming a small, modestly budgeted drama inspired by a then unknown actor named Sylvester Stallone. Rocky would go on to become a critical and financial success and win an Academy Award as Best Picture of 1976.
The new challenge at hand was to make Rocky IV every bit as thrilling and uplifting as its predecessors. Using locations in Vancouver to simulate the barren Russian landscape, director Stallone set out to capture the visual splendor of nature which serves as Rocky’s arena of discipline.
The physical demands of the film were once again met with fervor by its hard-working writer, director and star. Stallone set out to reshape his character physically as well as psychologically. He began his training during the filming of Rambo: First Blood Part II.
After completion of the First Blood sequel, Stallone adapted a grueling workout routine, under the guidance of world-renowned body-building champion, Franco Columbo. Stallone added inches to his chest and biceps and ten pounds to his muscular frame to make Rocky appear as a truly impressive champion.
In addition to filming in and around the Los Angeles area, the production team took its cameras to three distant locations during the making of Rocky IV. Each setting captures a distinctive tone, and is used to reflect and contrast the powerful emotional content of the film’s characters and story.
Initially, the Rocky IV crew traveled to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where the silent snow-covered terrain was used to represent the site of a small Siberian farm where Rocky prepares for his fight with Ivan Drago. Lying in the shadows of the magnificent Grand Tetons, this rugged location contributes more than simple scenery to the tortuous program Rocky pursues while focusing his spirit, mind and body on the most important and dangerous adversary of his career.
What audiences didn’t see on the screen, however, are the conditions endured by the performers and crew members in bringing these sequences to life. Cold was the primary culprit – with the wind-chill factor, temperatures often dropped as low as twenty degrees below zero, freezing camera, sound and transportation equipment as well as personnel indiscriminately.
Even the task of moving people and their tools ranged from strenuous to impossible due to the deep snow, a product of nature and not motion picture effects.
From Jackson Hole the production team moved to Vancouver, British Columbia. The Agrodome Arena at the city’s Pacific National Exhibition Center served as the site of the climactic battle between the Soviet and American champions, which, in the film, is set in a large Russian metropolis. Thousands of local residents were recruited to portray members of the audience, all of whom were costumed in drab winter-wear appropriate for the northern regions of the Soviet Union during December.
Vancouver was selected following a worldwide search for a site fulfilling the special physical and atmospheric requirements of the fight sequences. These requirements included an arena that was capable of seating approximately six thousand people, a metropolitan area large enough to provide audiences to fill the arena during the two weeks of filming, and a city that could comfortably accommodate the personnel of the large production as well as provide the requisite auxiliary services and supplies which always seem to be needed on moment’s notice during shooting.
Offering a bright contrast to both Vancouver and Jackson Hole, Las Vegas was the last location. The famed Ziegfeld Room at the MGM Grand was transformed into the site of the exhibition match fought between Apollo Creed and Ivan Drago, an extravagant sequence featuring the most dynamic production number ever offered in a Rocky film.
In contrast to the cold of Jackson Hole, temperatures on the sun baked Nevada desert peaked at 120 degrees Fahrenheit during the filming. The contrast between the Soviet arena and the American ringside was similarly extreme – the Ziegfeld Room is bejeweled in the best traditions of the world’s gambling capital, with glistening arrays of beautiful showgirls, flashing lights, dazzling costumes and an audience clad entirely in formal wear.
During the Los Angeles filming the production team spent only a few days working on the Culver City stages of MGM Studios. The bulk of their work in L.A. was accomplished on real sites that had been carefully selected throughout the city.
In the majestic neighborhood known as Hancock Park, an impressive home was scouted to serve as the Balboa family residence. Inhabited by many of the city’s most affluent citizens, it also happens to be the area in which one of the city’s best known figures then resided – Muhammad Ali.
Later, the cameras moved on to such diverse settings as Los Angeles International Airport, the Century Plaza Hotel, the downtown Design Center, an ultra-modern gymnasium on Sunset Boulevard and a cemetery near Inglewood. The use of actual sites for 99% of Rocky IV, rather than the duplication of locations on studio soundstages, represented a tradition of reality which had been a part of each Rocky sequel.
The challenge of photographing the film’s action was placed in the capable hands of cinematographer Bill Butler, whose previous successes include six films that have grossed over $100,000,000 each – Rocky II, Rocky III, Jaws, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Stripes and Grease. Butler received an Oscar nomination for his photography of Cuckoo’s Nest along with three Emmy Awards for his other work.
Veteran production designer Bill Kenney was given the task of creating and constructing the special settings for Rocky IV, an assignment performed with the assistance of set decorator Rick Gentz, and construction coordinator Roger Irvin.
Among the most difficult sets Kenney created was the interior of the Soviet arena. Since there was neither visual nor editorial reference material available on which to pattern his designs, Kenney conceived the arena almost entirely from his imagination.
Two well-known sportscasters, Los Angeles’ Stu Nahan and New York City’s Warner Wolf, appear as ringside broadcasters. Noted sport artist Leroy Nieman appears as a ring announcer. Both Nahan and Nieman were in Rocky III, as were real-life referees Marty Denkin and Lou Filippo, who officiate both boxing matches in IV.
Several scenes were deleted from the final cut of Rocky IV. Between Apollo's funeral scene, and the press conference for the Rocky-Drago fight, there was originally a scene in which Rocky is told by the U.S. boxing board that any bout with Drago in Russia won't be sanctioned by the board, and that he is effectively 'out on his own' if he does fight Drago at all. In the brief set of magazine/newspaper covers/stills that are shown immediately before the press conference scene, there is a photo, plus headline, of this meeting taking place. Also, the matter of 'not sanctioned to fight Drago in Russia' is spoken about in the press conference scene itself anyway. This 'repetition' of plot points was likely what got the scene taken out, deemed unnecessary, for the final cut.
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