Rocky Parent Guide
Parent Movie Review
1976 was a big year for Americans who celebrated 200 years of declared independence from the English monarchy. It also proved to be a good year for Sylvester Stallone who starred as Rocky Balboa in the first of five Rocky movies. In this film, Stallone plays an underachieving boxer who’s never made it out of the small-time arena. Work as a debt collector keeps his own bills paid while he waits for a chance at a title.
Outside of the ring, Rocky courts the attentions of Adrian (Talia Shire), an awkward and painfully shy employee at the local pet shop. Bullied by her foul-mouthed brother, Paulie (Burt Young), she cowers behind outdated glasses and a battered self-image.
Then Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) comes to town. The reigning world heavy weight champion is scheduled to fight in Philadelphia at a bicentennial extravaganza but when his opponent backs out, this consummate showman has to find a new angle to bring in the crowds. His solution: find some local boxer and give him a Cinderella shot at the coveted belt. When Rocky is picked from the hometown crop of contenders, he has less than five weeks to prepare for the highly publicized match. Meanwhile, his unconventional workout routine on the city streets leaves the aspiring competitor blocking cheap shots from the media while enduring a grueling training schedule.
Sylvester Stallone took three days to write this movie’s script after watching a fight between unknown boxer Chuck Wepner and Muhammad Ali. Filmed in 4 weeks at the final cost of 1.1 million, this story of a come-from-behind contender received three Academy awards in 1977 for Best Picture, Director, and Editing.
Graphic ringside scenes of boxing (including blood) make this classic a questionable choice for the Saturday morning cartoon crowd, but Rocky’s million-to-one shot at realizing the American dream and proving himself against a formidable challenger may inspire teens who face their own battles. In real life, like reel life, the biggest challenge of all may be staying on your feet when things get a little rocky.
Starring Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Carl Weathers, Burgess Meredith. Running time: 119 minutes. Theatrical release November 30, 1976. Updated July 17, 2017About author
Rocky
Rating & Content Info
Why is Rocky rated PG? Rocky is rated PG by the MPAA
Overall: B
While this story includes lots of close-up pounding action between boxers and some unsavory language; the underlying themes of fighting to overcome incredible odds, and the power of love, make Rocky a viewing contender. However, if realistic depictions of this sport are offensive to you or your family, you may wish to bow out of the ring.
Violence: C-
Movie includes extensive scenes of boxing including blood. Man has cut on head, blood shown on face and towel, man threatens to break another man’s thumb, men involved in altercation, man swings 2x4 at another man, man loses temper and yells, hits at locker with a fire extinguisher, threats shouted between men, man makes reference to breaking bones, repeated scenes of heated arguments between siblings involving yelling and some physical contact, meat packing factory shown with carcasses of dead animals, man hits dead carcasses with bloody hands, man hits objects in house with a bat and threatens people during a drunken rage, boxing match includes scenes of man with broken nose, bruised and bloody face, swollen eyelids are cut open, blood squirts out of cut, man threatens to kill another man if fight is stopped.
Sexual Content: B+
Man tells woman he wants to kiss her, passionate kissing between unmarried couple, man makes references to sexual acts, woman moves into man’s apartment after fight at home, kissing between unmarried couple.
Language: C-
Includes numerous uses of name calling, at least 15 mild profanities, 10 moderate profanities, two slang terms for sex and four terms of Deity.
Alcohol / Drug Use: C
Man offered a beer, man asks for cigarette, main character depicted smoking, several other secondary characters also shown smoking and drinking alcohol, athlete drinks beer, men drinking on streets, drunk man laying on the street, man drinking liquor while at work on several occasions, drunken man walks home where he loses his temper and breaks objects with baseball bat.
Page last updated July 17, 2017
Rocky Parents' Guide
One night Rocky passes a street party. Recognizing one of the participants, he escorts the young women home, taking the opportunity to talk to her about the kind of reputation her “dirty mouth” will earn. What do you think he meant? Do people sometimes take on the reputation of company they associate with at school or work?
During the movie we see some changes happening in Adrian. What were they? What do you think caused them? How can the words and actions of others affect the way we feel about ourselves?
Home Video
The most recent home video release of Rocky movie is December 4, 2006. Here are some details…
DVD Notes: Rocky: 2 Disc Collector’s Edition
DVD Release Date: 5 December 2006
Stepping into the ring for another round is the 1976 Best Picture Academy Awards winner, Rocky. This time the contender comes as a 2-Disc Collector’s Edition—and just in time to give a publicity boost to the upcoming movie Rocky Balboa (opening in theaters 22 December 2006). Besides the feature presentation, this version comes bulked up with deleted scenes and new audio commentaries by Sylvester Stallone, as well as boxing legends trainer Lou Duva and commentator Bert Sugar. There is also a rigorous list of featurettes that include: Three Rounds with Legendary Trainer Lou Duva, Interview with a Legend: Bert Sugar, The Opponents, In the Ring (a making-of documentary), Steadicam: Then & Now, Make Up!: The Art & Form with Michael Westmore, Stacatto: A Composer’s Notebook with Bill Conti and The Ring of Truth.
If that’s not enough to knock you out, a Rocky Anthology is releasing as well. This package offers fervent fans everything in the above-mentioned Collector’s Edition, along with Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV and Rocky V. Audio tracks are available in English (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Surround) and French (Dolby Surround), with closed captioning for the hearing impaired.
Home Video Notes: Rocky: The Undisputed Edition
Release Date: 3 November 2009
The complete Rocky anthology is now available on Blu-ray. Along with the six movies in the series, the 7-disc box set includes bonus materials. Click here for a closer look at the product details for Rocky: The Undisputed Edition
Rocky releases as a DVD/Blu-ray Combo on 6 April, 2010.
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Video Alternatives:
For more sports movies, look at Rudy and Remember the Titans. If it’s the romance you liked, check out While You Were Sleeping, another story about a shy, young employee who falls in love. If you’re a Stallone fan, check out another of his writing, acting efforts in Driven.
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