Rocky IV (1985)

Director:

Sylvester Stallone

Writer:

Sylvester Stallone (written by)

Release Date:

27 November 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Sport

Tagline:

He's facing the ultimate challenge. And fighting for his life. [UK]

Plot:

When Apollo Creed is killed in a match against a powerful Soviet boxer, Rocky decides to challenge him himself.

Plot Keywords:

Boxer | Russian | Death | Champion | Boxing

Awards:

7 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Sylvester Stallone	...	Rocky Balboa
Talia Shire	...	Adrian
Burt Young	...	Paulie
Carl Weathers	...	Apollo Creed
Brigitte Nielsen	...	Ludmilla Vobet Drago
Tony Burton	...	Duke
Michael Pataki	...	Nicoli Koloff
Dolph Lundgren	...	Captain Ivan Drago
Stu Nahan	...	Commentator #1
R.J. Adams	...	Sports Announcer
Al Bandiero	...	American Commentator #2
Dominic Barto	...	Russian Government Official
Danial Brown	...	Rocky Jr.'s Friend
James Brown	...	The Godfather of Soul
Rose Mary Campos	...	Maid

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Russian

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Certification:

Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Iceland:12 | Brazil:14 | Mexico:A | South Korea:12 | Finland:K-16 (uncut) (1988) | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1986) | France:U | Norway:15 | Singapore:PG | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Grand Teton National Park, Moose, Wyoming, USA

Company:

Chartoff-Winkler Productions

Trivia:

While this film was Dolph Lundgren's break-out role, it wasn't his first appearance on the big screen. He had a minor role in the James Bond film A View to a Kill (1985) as one of General Gogol's bodyguards.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the pre-match lead-up between Drago and Apollo, Apollo's gloves disappear momentarily.

Quotes:

Interviewer: [at the Drago-Creed press conference] Rocky, how do you think Apollo should fight Drago?
Rocky: [commenting on Drago's imposing stature] Well, what I think we should do first is get Apollo a ladder.
[everybody chuckles]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Comedy Central Roast of Flavor Flav (2007) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Burning Heart

One of the greatest movies ever made!

I can remember seeing this before it was released in England, as a friend managed to get a copy from America. I'd always been a fan of the Rocky series so I was really looking forward to this & I wasn't disappointed! I must have seen the film about 10 times before it was released in Endland, then it was about 3 or 4 times seeing it at the cinema (back when this was released I would only have been about 6, so my parents must have been annoyed at taking me to the same film!). As soon as it was released on video I managed to obtain a copy, which probably lasted about 6 months. I also purchased the album, which contains one of the best montage songs ever ("No Easy Way Out") and still have it to this day! I must have been through at least 10 copies on video & one DVD.

Obviously, the death of Apollo was heartbreaking to me, but Drago just seemed like a monster and I was eagerly awaiting the East Meets West clash in Russia, as Rocky avenges his friends death.

Such an amazing film and way better than Rocky 5 (and, in my opinion, the other films as well) so please check this out - I don't think it's dated well, but to those around in the 80's you should definitely watch this film as soon as possible!