Rocky III (1982)

After winning the ultimate title and being the world champion, Rocky falls into a hole and finds himself picked up by a former enemy.

Director:

Sylvester Stallone

Writer:

Sylvester Stallone

Stars:

Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sylvester Stallone	...	Rocky Balboa
Talia Shire	...	Adrian
Burt Young	...	Paulie
Carl Weathers	...	Apollo Creed
Burgess Meredith	...	Mickey Goldmill
Tony Burton	...	Duke
Mr. T	...	Clubber Lang
Hulk Hogan	...	Thunderlips
Ian Fried	...	Rocky Jr.
Al Silvani	...	Al
Wally Taylor	...	Clubber's Manager
Jim Hill	...	Sportscaster
Don Sherman	...	Andy
Dennis James	...	Wrestling Commentator
Jim Healy	...	Wrestling Commentator

Storyline

Sylvester Stallone returns to the character which made him famous in this wildly successful sequel. Rocky III starts with the Italian Stallion so famous that his likeness is everywhere, including pinball machines. Fame and complacency soon cause Balboa to lose his title to young thug Clubber Lang ( Mr. T ), who inadvertently causes the death of Rocky's beloved trainer, Mickey (Burgess Meredith), before their first championship bout. After sinking into a depression, Balboa must regain the love and support of his family, as well as the elusive "eye of the tiger," the hungry need to beat the opponent which former foe Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) teaches him during this film's training sequence. In the end, Balboa faces off against Lang for a second time.

---

Plot Keywords:

boxing movie | hit in the face | sweaty face | beating | rematch | 

---

Taglines:

A Fighter. A Lover. A Legend. The Greatest Challenge.

---

Genres:

Drama | Sport

---

Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 1981, as an eight-year-old living in Philadelphia's Lawncrest neighborhood, Nikol Bird went door to door, gathering signatures to keep the eight-foot, six-inch, one ton bronze statue of Rocky Balboa forever at the top of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The city had refused to keep the prop in front of the world-class museum, and Sylvester Stallone shipped the statue back to Los Angeles. But little Nikol mounted a campaign to bring the statue back. She set up a table outside Veterans Stadium the night Pete Rose passed Ty Cobb on the list of all-time hits leader, and gathered 2,000 signatures. In all, she collected more than 10,000 and presented them to City Council. Stallone was grateful. The statue was put back at the steps briefly in 1982 for the opening of Rocky III, and Stallone hoisted Nikol above his head at the dedication ceremony, then escorted her to the premiere at the Sameric on Chestnut Street.

---

Goofs

During the montage at the beginning, the billboard at the Radio City Music Hall is superimposed, as is obvious by different image steadiness of the element (the billboard) and the plate (the building).

---

Quotes

Wrestling Commentator: In the white corner, an incredible sight. Standing nearly seven feet, weighing 390 pounds. The undisputed wrestling champion of the world... A man who calls himself "the ultimate object of desire," "the mountain of molten lust." The one, the only Thunderlips!
Thunderlips: [CROWD BOOING] You're all trash! You're all trash! You're all trash! You're all trash!

---

Crazy Credits

For the first time in the series, Tony Burton's character is credited (and referred to on screen for the first time) as Duke.

---

Alternate Versions

Late 2000's/early 2010's AMC broadcasts in the US used the sped-up 25 fps PAL video from a 24 fps film source. However, current AMC broadcasts in the US now slow down the film's original audio pitch and speed at 4%.

---

Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Heartbreaking Mentor Deaths in Movies (2016)

---

Soundtracks

Take You Back
(uncredited)
Written by Frank Stallone
Sung by Sylvester Stallone and Talia Shire

User Reviews

A great flick !

Another film worthy of a Frank Stallone sound track, Rocky 3 has been one of the biggest box office turn outs in history. Not only did every Italian American run out to see this film when it was in the theaters but it made the song "Eye of the Tiger" a national hit. Rocky 3 was also a debut film for MR. T. An excellent performance as one of the best villains in movie history. This one is not only written by Sly....it is also directed by him as well. Check it out.

Details

Official Sites:

Instagram MGM

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 May 1982 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Rocky III

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Budget:

$17,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,431,486, 30 May 1982

Gross USA:

$125,049,125

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$125,052,686

Company Credits

Production Co:

Chartoff-Winkler Productions, United Artists

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby 70 mm 6-Track

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1