Rocky screenplay

by Sylvester Stallone

121 pages, ebook

Published January 7, 1976

About the author

Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone is an American actor, director, producer and screenwriter. One of the biggest box office draws in the world from the '70s to the '90s, international megastar Sylvester Stallone is a global icon. He has played two characters who have become a part of the American cultural lexicon: Rocky Balboa, the boxer who overcame all odds to fight for love and glory, and John Rambo, a courageous soldier who specialized in violent rescue and revenge missions.

During the 1980s, he enjoyed phenomenal popularity and was one of the biggest movie stars in the world with the Rocky and Rambo franchises. Stallone's culturally influential films changed pop culture history and he has largely enjoyed a career on the Hollywood A list for over 30 years.

He is considered by many (including the mayor of Philadelphia) as the one who made the city of Philadelphia an international tourist attraction with the Rocky Steps. His immense popularity there has led to a statue of his Rocky character being placed permanently near the Philadelphia Museum of Art as a cultural landmark. In August 2007, a statue of Rocky was also erected in the Serbian village of Žitište. Stallone's film Rocky has also been inducted into the National Film Registry as well as having its film props placed in the Smithsonian Museum as a national treasure.

Reviews

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rocky was a movie that was on my radar but I didn’t end up watching it until my mid-twenties, and when I did watch it, I was like, wait… this is rocky?!? Before, I thought it was a “guy” movie, but I found Rocky endearing, and yeah, maybe that one scene with Adrienne with the kiss borders on creepy, but overall, the film is inspiring. When I found out Stallone wrote the script in 3 days, I admired it even more.
The back story on how Stallone was flat-out broke, forced to sell his dog, and from his report the script was rejected 1500 times but he decided to stand his ground to film and play Rocky his way is iconic, he truly embodies Rocky.
But reading the screenplay didn't elevate or diminish the movie for me, though it did make me want to rewatch it because I'm sorry, nothing beats watching the training montage scenes 🙌

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well acted, but surprised that Stallone wrote it too.

[Britt Echols · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Screenplay differs from Movie:
-Spider Rico was Spider Rice and he doesn't say anything to Rocky in locker room.
-Paulie & Adrian live in an apartment not a house.
-Ice skating scene did not haggle between $8-$10, just $10. (Movie funnier). Guy working brought them Cokes while skating.
-Camera crew and Apollo crashes Rocky's training in Mick's Gym. Dipper (Contender) challenges Rocky and tries to make him look like a sissy. Rocky cracks his ribs in front of Apollo and Apollo shows some worry. (Best part of screenplay not in the movie).
-Adrian wearing "Win, Rocky, Win!" Shirt. I think that was not until Rocky 2.
-Fight between Paulie & Adrian/Rocky was longer and more intense. She doesn't ask Rocky if he wants a roommate.
-Meets with Mayor and Mayor goes over all of Rocky's arrest and criminal record. Big time Thug!!
-The line "Condominiums, nobody uses them." Was in a phone conversation with a friend. This line (altered) was used in Rocky 2. He also talks with this guy about investing in a Pet Shop after he gets money from fight.
-Tons of Rocky watching film on Apollo fights. After watching all the film, he realizes he can't beat Creed. He walks home (with Butkus) wakes up and tells Adrian he can't win and just wants to go the distance. The movie has him coming from the spectrum and seeing the wrong-colored trunks (real-life movie error).
-The ending of the screenplay was very different. Creed stills wins the fight by decision but after the fight, both fighters are picked up and whisked away by the fans. Adrian was trying to get to him, and it was very difficult with all the people. Rocky sees her and has to walk against the crowds' heads and shoulders to reach her. They embrace and say "I love you!" Movie ending was much better.

[Melissa Hedges- Rankin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rocky has been one of my favorite movies since the first time I viewed it in ~1976.

I finally read the script. There were several scenes that I did not remember being in the film.
When reading the scenes, I also felt that if in the film, 'what was the significance' of those scenes,(i.e. didn't see how the scenes moved the storyline along). It had been a few years since I last viewed the film, so decided to watch 'Rocky 1' again and sure enough, the scenes were not included- my 50 plus mind had remembered correctly.

Strengths of the script in my opinion:
- I thought Stallone really captured the character and vulnerabilities of Rocky.
- Lots of great subplots were used as well.

Five stars for both the script and film.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great screenplay. I have the master script and although it was a bit different then the movie, it was great reading. Recommended.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rocky Balboa is a young, struggling boxer from North Philadelphia trying to make it the big time, working as a debt collector for a loan shark. When Apollo Creed, heavy champion, visits Philadelphia, his managers want to set up an exhibition match between Creed and any struggling boxer, promoting the fight as a chance for a "nobody" to become a "somebody," and this match is supposed to be easily won by Creed. However, no one told this to Rocky, who sees this as his only shot to hit the big time. This is a very good, simple, and very American story that kept my interest from start to finish. The dialogue is poignant, direct, and intelligent.

🎥 1976 movie version with Sylvester Stallone.
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