ROCKY IV
US, 1985, 87 minutes, Colour.
Sylvester Stallone, Carl Weathers, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Brigitte Neilson, Dolph Lundgren.
Directed by Sylvester Stallone.
Rocky IV was an extraordinary commercial success of 1985. It was a personal success for Sylvester Stallone who also acted in Rambo, First Blood Part 2.
Audiences know what they are getting in Rocky IV. The impact of the original was exciting, enthusiastic and optimistic. Rocky 11 & 111 modelled themselves on the original - always going one better, but were entertaining Stallone vehicles. Rocky IV is a commercial venture and concoction: the patriotism of the United States in the Reagan era, the cold war attitudes towards the Soviet Union. Stallone has looked at the surface of his Rocky character (despite the large amount of flashback material from the previous films in this one). Rocky Balboa now embodies American individualism and freedom. He is contrasted with Ivan Drago, the giant Soviet fighter who is scientifically and medically controlled. The clash between Drago and Apollo Creed (giving some sympathy for the Americans and anger at the Russians) builds up to a conflict between East and West.
While the film is excitingly made, Stallone's boxing choreography as effective as ever, it comes as a jolt to non-Americans to see not only the Russians supporting Rocky in the fight in their own country but the members)of the Politburo actually standing and applauding at the end. Stallone delivers a homily about international peace at the end.
overseas critics were unsympathetic towards Rocky IV while Americans were enthusiastic. It could be seen in the context of the macho-American films of the period including Invasion U.S.A., The Delta Force, Iron Eagle as well as White Nights.
1. The popularity of the Rocky series? The character of Rocky Balboa? Audience knowledge of him and interest in his career? Sylvester Stallone and his American stances?
2. Production values: the use of flashbacks to link this film with its predecessors? The staging of the boxing bouts? Press conferences? The collage for the training sequences of both American and Russian? Musical score? Editing and pace?
3. Rocky as an American character? Emerging from the '70s and the Bicentenary era? The fulfilment of the American dream? Rocky and his boxing success, titles, his family, affluence? Their being challenged? The American way of life being challenged?
4. Stallone's performance as Rocky, the writing of his dialogue? His home life, his love for Adrian, for his son? The arrival of Drago in the United States? Apollo Creed and his friendship, the challenge to the Soviet fighter? Rocky's attitude towards the bout? Helping Apollo? The spectacular fight? Apollo's death? Rocky's decision, Adrian's hostility? His going to the Soviet Union? The rigorous training? The build-up to the fight? Adrian's arrival and support? The anti-American crowd at the fight? Rocky's taking punishment, winning? The support of the whole audience? His final words about peacemaking?
5. Ivan Drago as the Soviet boxer? The community-made hero - physically, medically? The Russian authorities standing behind him? Arrival, the interpreter, the press conference, his snarling attitudes? The bout with Apollo Creed, his reaction to the razzamatazz? Creed's death? The challenge to Rocky? The training programme and its elaborate detail? The bout, his expectations of winning, the defeat?
6. The sketch of Adrian and her son? Support of Rocky, friendship with Apollo? The decision to go to the Soviet Union, her resistance, her finally supporting Rocky, the final fight?
7. Apollo Creed and his bombast, friendship with Rocky, the decision to fight Drago, the press conference and his turns, the Stars and Stripes Show at Las Vegas, the fight and his death?
8. Paulie and his place in the household, friendship with Rocky, with Apollo Creed? The build-up to the fights, his uncertainties, his own wealth but - his attitudes and way of speaking? Participating in the training?
9. The portrait of the Americans - and American patriotism? Sports officials? Las Vegas officials? Announcers and commentators?
10. The Russians - and the paralleling with the Americans? The interpreter and her challenge? The attitudes in Russia? The Politburo finally standing?
11. A mid-'80s American fable - exercise in chauvinistic patriotic entertainment?
