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Rocky #1
Rocky: Based Upon the Screenplay By Sylvester Stallone
He's a has-been with one dream left - and one last chance. A love story about the World's Heavyweight Championship based on the screenplay by Sylvester Stallone.
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First published January 1, 1976
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February 27, 2014
Opening Line: "November 12, 1975. A cold night in Philly."
So, a little known (and completely unnecessary) fact about me is that I’m huge fan of the Rocky movies. That’s right Rocky Balboa is my hero. I couldn’t even tell you how many times I’ve seen the movies over the years but I still cheer along every single time and get all caught up in the struggle, heartbreak, training montages, music, love story and that final 15 round, blood splattered, go for glory, give it all ya got, fight. I’m actually at a loss as to explain why they move me so much? Maybe it’s because I’ve always loved an underdog and this is the story of the ultimate underdog; a man whose whole life centers on a million to one shot. It’s also about going the distance and in the case of the original movie losing but winning the girl anyhow.
When Rocky Balboa came out a few years ago my fan-girl status piqued and I hunted down all the novelizations. I’d been hoping that I might find something new in the novel, some in depth characterization or at least some scenes that weren’t in the movie because honestly just how in depth can Rocky be? He’s a pretty simple character. Anyways there are a few gems here but for the most part this was just an okay, somewhat clunky read that didn’t really add anything to the experience. In fact it often read more like the original screenplay than the novelization it was meant to be. “Adrian was visibly upset. She walked across the room. She turned the light on.”
Rocky’s relationship with Gazzo is better developed here, while his relationship with Micky is less so and there is a great scene with Balboa nervously riding up the elevator to Apollo’s office when he still thinks he’s being sought after as a sparring partner. The final fight scene which is so spectacular in the movie is kind of lack luster here and the actual ending is different with both Rocky and Adrian being carried overhead by exuberant fight fans after the final decision is announced instead of Adrian sneaking under the ropes and telling Rocky she loves him as the decision is announced. The one here felt very awkward and I’m glad Stallone changed it.
Anyways I’m still rockin my Italian Stallion t-shirt on the weekends and have quit questioning why I’m such a fan. One day I’ll make it to the natural history museum in Philadelphia and run up those steps. It’s on the bucket list. Cheers.
So, a little known (and completely unnecessary) fact about me is that I’m huge fan of the Rocky movies. That’s right Rocky Balboa is my hero. I couldn’t even tell you how many times I’ve seen the movies over the years but I still cheer along every single time and get all caught up in the struggle, heartbreak, training montages, music, love story and that final 15 round, blood splattered, go for glory, give it all ya got, fight. I’m actually at a loss as to explain why they move me so much? Maybe it’s because I’ve always loved an underdog and this is the story of the ultimate underdog; a man whose whole life centers on a million to one shot. It’s also about going the distance and in the case of the original movie losing but winning the girl anyhow.
When Rocky Balboa came out a few years ago my fan-girl status piqued and I hunted down all the novelizations. I’d been hoping that I might find something new in the novel, some in depth characterization or at least some scenes that weren’t in the movie because honestly just how in depth can Rocky be? He’s a pretty simple character. Anyways there are a few gems here but for the most part this was just an okay, somewhat clunky read that didn’t really add anything to the experience. In fact it often read more like the original screenplay than the novelization it was meant to be. “Adrian was visibly upset. She walked across the room. She turned the light on.”
Rocky’s relationship with Gazzo is better developed here, while his relationship with Micky is less so and there is a great scene with Balboa nervously riding up the elevator to Apollo’s office when he still thinks he’s being sought after as a sparring partner. The final fight scene which is so spectacular in the movie is kind of lack luster here and the actual ending is different with both Rocky and Adrian being carried overhead by exuberant fight fans after the final decision is announced instead of Adrian sneaking under the ropes and telling Rocky she loves him as the decision is announced. The one here felt very awkward and I’m glad Stallone changed it.
Anyways I’m still rockin my Italian Stallion t-shirt on the weekends and have quit questioning why I’m such a fan. One day I’ll make it to the natural history museum in Philadelphia and run up those steps. It’s on the bucket list. Cheers.
September 28, 2019
Este es un libro que encontré de casualidad en una librería de usados, me salió un valor simbólico porque el precio era ridículamente bajo. No conocía a la autora y decía que es una novela basada en el guión de una película que amo del genio de Sylvester Stallone (actor que también amo).
Que esperaba? Poco y nada, una escritora desconocida con las chances reales de que destripara una película maravillosa. Y me equivoque.
Me pareció un muy buen libro, muy digno del producto original y que me dejó con muchas ganas de leer el guión que escribió Sly.
Pará los extraterrestres que no conocen a Rocky les cuento que va de un boxeador acabado pero con un corazón gigante, que vive en la miseria más absoluta peleando con boxeadores de poca monta por centavos y realizando tareas para un mafioso local (pero con poca eficacia porque su buen corazón evita que sea lo rudo que tiene que ser). Esta enamorado de la hermana de su mejor amigo, una mujer sencilla y muy tímida. Su mejor amigo es un alcohólico depresivo que no para de meter la pata y de lucrar con su amigo, pero que en el fondo es un ser honesto a su medida y fiel a Rocky. En medio de todo esto a Rocky le surge la oportunidad de su vida, luchar con el campion del mundo por el cinturón gracias a una serie de eventos bastante improbables.
Sobre todas las cosas es una historia de amor y de superación personal, con el boxeo como escusa.
El libro está bien escrito y aporta algunos detalles de la historia que en las películas no salieron (supongo que estaban en el guión pero se cortaron). Ejemplo de eso es la relación de Rocky con su padre, algunos diálogos con Gazzo y como cambian los detalles del final que hacen que termine siendo distinto al de la película.
Una cosa que me sorprendió fue lo diferente que es la personalidad de Rocky en el libro, es más inteligente, a pesar de que en la película es consciente de su realidad siempre mantiene una cierta dignidad dentro de su pobreza pero se nota una gran falta de inteligencia principalmente por su falta de educación, pero el libro está lleno de comentarios inteligentes de su parte y pensamientos que lo alejan de lo que es Rocky.
Creo que el pasaje a la película le hizo ganar mucho a la historia, muchos pensamientos de Rocky en el libro era imposible plasmarlo en en el film, entonces se utiliza mucho los silencios, gestos y acciones que le dan más profundidad al personaje.
El libro es muy bueno, corto y se lee en un día, para los fanáticos es un MUST READ, para los no fanáticos es algo que es digno de leer y no les quita mucho tiempo.
Que esperaba? Poco y nada, una escritora desconocida con las chances reales de que destripara una película maravillosa. Y me equivoque.
Me pareció un muy buen libro, muy digno del producto original y que me dejó con muchas ganas de leer el guión que escribió Sly.
Pará los extraterrestres que no conocen a Rocky les cuento que va de un boxeador acabado pero con un corazón gigante, que vive en la miseria más absoluta peleando con boxeadores de poca monta por centavos y realizando tareas para un mafioso local (pero con poca eficacia porque su buen corazón evita que sea lo rudo que tiene que ser). Esta enamorado de la hermana de su mejor amigo, una mujer sencilla y muy tímida. Su mejor amigo es un alcohólico depresivo que no para de meter la pata y de lucrar con su amigo, pero que en el fondo es un ser honesto a su medida y fiel a Rocky. En medio de todo esto a Rocky le surge la oportunidad de su vida, luchar con el campion del mundo por el cinturón gracias a una serie de eventos bastante improbables.
Sobre todas las cosas es una historia de amor y de superación personal, con el boxeo como escusa.
El libro está bien escrito y aporta algunos detalles de la historia que en las películas no salieron (supongo que estaban en el guión pero se cortaron). Ejemplo de eso es la relación de Rocky con su padre, algunos diálogos con Gazzo y como cambian los detalles del final que hacen que termine siendo distinto al de la película.
Una cosa que me sorprendió fue lo diferente que es la personalidad de Rocky en el libro, es más inteligente, a pesar de que en la película es consciente de su realidad siempre mantiene una cierta dignidad dentro de su pobreza pero se nota una gran falta de inteligencia principalmente por su falta de educación, pero el libro está lleno de comentarios inteligentes de su parte y pensamientos que lo alejan de lo que es Rocky.
Creo que el pasaje a la película le hizo ganar mucho a la historia, muchos pensamientos de Rocky en el libro era imposible plasmarlo en en el film, entonces se utiliza mucho los silencios, gestos y acciones que le dan más profundidad al personaje.
El libro es muy bueno, corto y se lee en un día, para los fanáticos es un MUST READ, para los no fanáticos es algo que es digno de leer y no les quita mucho tiempo.
September 18, 2012
When I was a kid, I used to love movie tie-in books (I still do). Until I was fifteen, home video didn’t exist, and films took at least six years to appear of commercial television. So if you really liked a movie, and wanted to relive it, after it had left the cinemas (or in my case, ‘drive-in’), you had to buy the tie-in novel. Tie-in novels are a mixed bag. I have read some great ones – I loved Norman Winski’s The Sword and the Sorcerer, Vonda N McIntyre’s Star Trek II, II, IV, and Campbell Black’s Raiders of the Lost Ark novelisations. And I have read some clunky ones too. Rocky, is one of the clunky ones.
I don’t know if Julia Sorel is a pen name for Stallone, as the copyright for the book is attributed to Stallone rather than Sorel. But whoever wrote it, it is a choppy read, with some pretentious descriptions of the breaking day. But one thing I have always enjoyed about many tie-in novels, is there is chance that you may get more than the movie. Many of these novels are written on earlier versions of the script and before editing, so the book gives you a sneak-peak into the original vision of the writer.
Rocky at its best, is like that. There are a few scenes that didn’t make it into the film, such as a confrontation with ‘Dipper’ (the fighter who got Rocky’s locker) during a press conference with Creed. The language is also a little stronger in the book, than the movie. There is also one joke that was excised from Rocky, but would be recycled for Rocky II. These little nuggets, are the joy that comes from reading a book like this. If you’re a boxing fan, you wouldn’t read it for the fight description. Even if you a Rocky movie fan, you’re not going to find a lot of meat here (beyond the frozen kind, Rocky pounds on).
In this digital age, you’re better off watching the film one more time than delving into this curious bit of ephemera.
I don’t know if Julia Sorel is a pen name for Stallone, as the copyright for the book is attributed to Stallone rather than Sorel. But whoever wrote it, it is a choppy read, with some pretentious descriptions of the breaking day. But one thing I have always enjoyed about many tie-in novels, is there is chance that you may get more than the movie. Many of these novels are written on earlier versions of the script and before editing, so the book gives you a sneak-peak into the original vision of the writer.
Rocky at its best, is like that. There are a few scenes that didn’t make it into the film, such as a confrontation with ‘Dipper’ (the fighter who got Rocky’s locker) during a press conference with Creed. The language is also a little stronger in the book, than the movie. There is also one joke that was excised from Rocky, but would be recycled for Rocky II. These little nuggets, are the joy that comes from reading a book like this. If you’re a boxing fan, you wouldn’t read it for the fight description. Even if you a Rocky movie fan, you’re not going to find a lot of meat here (beyond the frozen kind, Rocky pounds on).
In this digital age, you’re better off watching the film one more time than delving into this curious bit of ephemera.
December 24, 2021
That was fun. I'm a sucker for novelizations of screenplays. This was cheesey but the characters are so engrained I didn't mind.
December 28, 2025
Balboa ist ein sozial nicht perfekter Mensch und das sieht man in dem Film, aber im Buch wird das viel mehr deutlich und das färbt die Geschichte in eine interessantere Farbe.
November 2, 2022
I haven't seen Rocky (to my shame) but having read this speed-run version I'm desperate to. Who knew he was such a sweet guy? Who just loves his shy girlfriend and his pet turtles? I found him so completely endearing a character that it was easy to cheer for him when he made it to the ring, and hurt for him when he took his blows. I was absolutely swept up in the Cinderella story and rooting for him, this decent man who knows how to do one thing really well, the whole way through.
I also didn't know that Sylvester Stallone wrote the screenplay for Rocky. That's so cool. Good for him.
I also didn't know that Sylvester Stallone wrote the screenplay for Rocky. That's so cool. Good for him.
July 25, 2021
While reading this all I could hear was the awesome soundtrack in my mind as well as the movie flashing. The shy, vulnerable Rocky cements his status into the public psyche. His determination is an inspiration and his iconic status is born. The book is not very well written but who cares when the feeling and message is conveyed so thoroughly. Yo Adrian.
October 11, 2014
fantastic book
February 5, 2016
A Great boook, the life of one boxer!
How he lives, how much kicks he gets and showing that to live such life is bad!
How he lives, how much kicks he gets and showing that to live such life is bad!
August 27, 2016
This was a very good book to read. I can't compare it to the movie, since I haven't seen the movie in a long time. But it's still worth reading.
April 13, 2020
Yo Adrian ... it’s me, Rocky
There’s a certain something about Sylvester Stallone that has warmed to me over the years. I alternately want to mother him but then have him ruin me for all other men. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Rocky to begin with, but on another rewatch on the eve of another birthday, I was holding my breath at points.
The novelizations of the first four films are not cheap to get, I will warn you now. I’ve searched high and low and I think you just have to watch them in order to get a reasonable enough price. My copy of Rocky is used - someone called Jennifer Medina has added her name to the inside and “86” which I took to mean the year, until I discovered page number 86 was encircled with an M. I’m presuming to mark what page she was on? It’s a thin book, only 138 pages for a 2 hour long film.
I’m not 100% sure why Julia Sorel’s name is attached to this - as far as I’m aware, Stallone wrote the screenplay, and I know his name is attached to at least one of the other novelizations as the author. And it reads very much like a screenplay, with odd little lines such as characters walking across the room to switch on a light, which really doesn’t add anything to the story.
What I will say about this book is the description is wonderful - each page is alive with Rocky’s world and what goes on around him. Sorel/Stallone have picked up on odd little things to further enhance the world, with all the little nuances that would have skipped by you during the film.
Certain scenes are also extended or cut down. Most of the training sequences are relatively intact, although the lead up to and including the first kiss between Rocky and Adrian (a scene which always makes me gooey) is cut down, and ends with Rocky telling her that she doesn’t have to kiss him back. “Dipper”, the guy that steals Rocky’s locker at the beginning of the film, also has an additional scene, when Creed comes into the gym, and I’m glad in a way that this was cut from the final film, as it was not necessary.
I was unsure as to how this novelization would work, as I’d forgot the amount of sheer rambling that Rocky does, but it’s mostly kept intact or small lines cut here and there - most of his rant at Mickey when they’re in his “apartment” is chopped completely. I also wasn’t sure how the big fight at the end would work, but this is kept simple for those of us who don’t know boxing rules and works with a little description but a lot more from the commentators/Mickey etc. The finale is also changed slightly, and while I prefer Rocky screaming for his girlfriend, it was nice to see an alternative “happy” ending.
If you’re a fan of the Rocky films and novelizations, I would definitely recommend tracking these down. I would not advise waiting too long, as from prior experience, the prices will only go up. But they are necessary for fans of the films.
There’s a certain something about Sylvester Stallone that has warmed to me over the years. I alternately want to mother him but then have him ruin me for all other men. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Rocky to begin with, but on another rewatch on the eve of another birthday, I was holding my breath at points.
The novelizations of the first four films are not cheap to get, I will warn you now. I’ve searched high and low and I think you just have to watch them in order to get a reasonable enough price. My copy of Rocky is used - someone called Jennifer Medina has added her name to the inside and “86” which I took to mean the year, until I discovered page number 86 was encircled with an M. I’m presuming to mark what page she was on? It’s a thin book, only 138 pages for a 2 hour long film.
I’m not 100% sure why Julia Sorel’s name is attached to this - as far as I’m aware, Stallone wrote the screenplay, and I know his name is attached to at least one of the other novelizations as the author. And it reads very much like a screenplay, with odd little lines such as characters walking across the room to switch on a light, which really doesn’t add anything to the story.
What I will say about this book is the description is wonderful - each page is alive with Rocky’s world and what goes on around him. Sorel/Stallone have picked up on odd little things to further enhance the world, with all the little nuances that would have skipped by you during the film.
Certain scenes are also extended or cut down. Most of the training sequences are relatively intact, although the lead up to and including the first kiss between Rocky and Adrian (a scene which always makes me gooey) is cut down, and ends with Rocky telling her that she doesn’t have to kiss him back. “Dipper”, the guy that steals Rocky’s locker at the beginning of the film, also has an additional scene, when Creed comes into the gym, and I’m glad in a way that this was cut from the final film, as it was not necessary.
I was unsure as to how this novelization would work, as I’d forgot the amount of sheer rambling that Rocky does, but it’s mostly kept intact or small lines cut here and there - most of his rant at Mickey when they’re in his “apartment” is chopped completely. I also wasn’t sure how the big fight at the end would work, but this is kept simple for those of us who don’t know boxing rules and works with a little description but a lot more from the commentators/Mickey etc. The finale is also changed slightly, and while I prefer Rocky screaming for his girlfriend, it was nice to see an alternative “happy” ending.
If you’re a fan of the Rocky films and novelizations, I would definitely recommend tracking these down. I would not advise waiting too long, as from prior experience, the prices will only go up. But they are necessary for fans of the films.
October 26, 2020
If you love the film, you'll love this book. This is the ultimate underdog story; Rocky is the seventies Cinderella. From poor humble beginnings to a shot at the heavyweight championship of the world, Rocky is a heart warming tale of one man's quest to go the distance. There are a few sections which differ from the film and are little gems for true fans of the franchise, but mostly it is true to the original film. The writing is a little bit hit and miss at times with the author overly expanding on metaphors and often the structure resembles a screenplay, but the story and characters win the reader over. It's definitely worth reading if you can get hold of a copy (they are hard to find in the UK) and is an easy, one sitter at just over 100 pages.
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May 5, 2022The only big difference that real piqued my fancy was how this book went deeper in to the relationship between "Rocky" & "Gazzo" ! Gazzo's driver really didn't like Rocky, but Gazzo didn't care for his opinion. Gazzo was the only one who really believed in Rocky from the get-go. We see how everyone wanted to leech off Rocky after he got his shot. We also have the surprise visit of Creed in to Mick's GYM, and how other fighters in Mick's GYM felt they deserved the shot instead of Rocky. That was good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2018
I really love the movie and was curious about the novel. There are some things that are different in the book but there are parts that recognizable from the movie. I liked it. I could envision it in my head. It’s a simple nice read. If I had to compare it to the movie. The movie is better.
August 4, 2020
It was really hard to like the book, because I saw the movie so many times already. Usually, I like to both see the movie and read the book, but this time I could not get into it. This book was based on the movie, it was not an original book that was made into a movie.
March 13, 2021
Rocky, he ain't no bum.
February 13, 2013
The book follows the movie pretty well. But unlike the movie, kids should stay away from this book. Apparently, Julia Sorel thought it was funny to through in some masturbation jokes and a couple curse words. But nothing to major. The main complaint i really have with it, is some stuff that is in "Rocky II" appears in this. But it was a pretty fun read. Not very long at all either, only around 140 pages.
August 8, 2014
Wonderful story, novelization of the movie. Not great literature.
May 9, 2021
Uspomena na djetinjstvo
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May 4, 2018If you know me, then you must also know that Rocky is one of my favorite movies. It is a truly inspirational movie as well as a masterpiece in my opinion. Although I got into the movies because of my brother, I must admit that at first I did not particularly get hooked to Rocky but eventually it the movies started appealing to me. I personally liked Rocky 1 and 2 the best however many have liked Rocky 4 because it is set in Russia. After seeing this book just sitting on my shelf, I decided to give it a go and needless to say I was not disappointed.
Although there are a lot of details missing in the book Rocky, overall I would say it did an okay job in terms of trying to imitate the movie. But we do not get to see Rocky develop as a character neither do we see any of his close relationships build up either, however, if you are looking for a quick read and have some time to spend then I would recommend reading this book as Rocky provides inspiration to people from all sorts of ages. It is a quick read as well, as I was able to finish this book within 6 days while reading only 10 minutes per day.
#HISReads
#Book-a-Week
Although there are a lot of details missing in the book Rocky, overall I would say it did an okay job in terms of trying to imitate the movie. But we do not get to see Rocky develop as a character neither do we see any of his close relationships build up either, however, if you are looking for a quick read and have some time to spend then I would recommend reading this book as Rocky provides inspiration to people from all sorts of ages. It is a quick read as well, as I was able to finish this book within 6 days while reading only 10 minutes per day.
#HISReads
#Book-a-Week
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