Rocky (1976): Film Notes and Scores

Director:

Cast:

Poster artwork for Rocky — Original poster artwork · Great Cinema Master List

Spoiler-free premise

An unknown Philadelphia boxer receives an improbable chance to fight the heavyweight champion.

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Philadelphia club fighter Rocky Balboa earns little money boxing and collecting debts when heavyweight champion Apollo Creed selects him as a replacement opponent. The improbable offer sends Rocky into training while his hesitant relationship with Adrian begins to deepen.

Why it belongs

John G. Avildsen makes an underdog story moving by valuing preparation, tenderness, dignity, and self-respect more than victory alone.

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Under John G. Avildsen, Rocky and Adrian's halting courtship makes the public fight answer a private need for worth. Handheld Philadelphia streets, Bill Conti's rising theme, unglamorous training routines, and Stallone's gentle awkwardness give the familiar sports arc lived-in specificity.

Major award record

Metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20

Academy Awards3 wins1977 · official ceremony record ↗

Best Picture1977 · Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff, Producersofficial ceremony record ↗Directing1977 · John G. Avildsenofficial ceremony record ↗

Plus 1 additional win

Golden Globes1 win1977 · official film record ↗

Best Motion Picture - Drama1977 · Rockyofficial film record ↗

Totals include every recorded competitive win. Only Picture or top-film honors, Direction, Screenplay, and lead or supporting performances are named.

Good for

Date NightFamilyFilm Club

Descriptive guidance derived from rating, genre, runtime, mood, and GCML scores.

Institutional reference ranks