ROCKY IV (1985)

MORGAN'S RATING

When Rocky's old friend Apollo Creed is killed during a fight with a superfit Russian boxer, Ivan Drago, Rocky blames himself for the death when he could have thrown to the towel before the crucial moment. Fuelled by the Russian's arrogance, Rocky arranges a fight with the new champion, only this time in Russia.

Sylvester Stallone (Rocky Balboa), Talia Shire (Adrian), Burt Young (Paulie), Carl Weathers (Apollo Creed), Bridgitte Nielsen (Lidmilla), Tony Burton (Duke), Michael Pataki (Nicoli Koloff), Dolph Lundgren (Drago), R.J Adams (Sports Announcer), Al Bandiero (American Commentator 2), Dominic Barto (Russian Government Offical), Daniel Brown (Rocky Jr.'s Friend), James Brown (The Godfather of Soul), Rose Mary Campos (Maid), Jack Carpenter (KGB Driver), Mark De Alessandro (Russian Cornerman), Marty Denkin (Russian Referee), Lou Fillipo (Las Vegas Referee), James Cannonball Green (Manuel Vega), Dean Hammond (Interviewer), Rocky Krakoff (Rocky Jr.), Sergei Levin (Russian Ring Announcer), Tony Maffatone (KGB Agent).

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST, THE CHAMPION REMAINS STANDING!

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Sylvester Stallone.

WRITER: Sylvester Stallone.

PRODUCERS: Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: James D. Brubaker and Arthur Chobanian.

ORIGINAL MUSIC: Bill Conti and Vince DiCola.

FACTS

DISTRIBUTOR: MGM/UA

RELEASE DATE: November 1985 (USA)

BOX OFFICE OPENING: $19.9 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $127.9 million (USA)

QUOTES

Adrian: It's suicide! You've seen him, you know how strong he is. You can't win! Rocky: Nobody tells the truth, Adrian. No, maybe I can't win. Maybe the only thing I can do is take everything he's got. But to beat me, he's gonna have to kill me. And to kill me, he's gonna have to have the heart to stand in front of me. And to do that, he's gonna be willing to die himself. I don't know if he's ready to do that...I don't know.

BUDGET: $31 million (USA)

- Nominated for four 1986 Razzie Awards for Worst Supporting Actor, Worst Supporting Actress (Bridgitte Nielsen), Worst Picture and Worst Screenplay. The film won five Razzie's for Worst Actor, Worst Director, Worst Supporting Actress (Talia Shire), Worst New Star and Worst Musical Score. - Followed by a sequel: Rocky V (1990).

Rocky: I see three of him out there. Paulie: Hit the one in the middle.

Duke: What's happening out there? Rocky: He's winning.

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"Totally artificial (and unnecessary) sequel...Still and all, Stallone knows how to milk a formula and press all the right buttons, especially in a great training montage." -- Leonard Maltin

(Addressing the Soviet Union.) Rocky: I guess what I'm trying to say is, if I can change, and your can change, everybody can change.

Rocky: Yo, Adrian! I DID IT!

"The Rocky series is finally losing its legs. It's been a long run, one hit movie after another, but Rocky IV is a last gasp, a film so predictable that viewing it is like watching one of those old sitcoms where the characters never change and the same situations turn up again and again." -- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times.

Nicoli Koloff: Whatever he hits, he destroys.

Duke: You're gonna have to go through hell, worse than any nightmare you've ever dreamed. But when it's over, I know you'll be the one standing. You know what you have to do. Do it.