Watch Rocky

Rocky, filmed in 1975 and released in 1976, took home the Oscar for Best Picture at the Academy Awards that year. Based on the real-life story of the amateur boxer that fought Muhammad Ali, Rocky is about the "bum" Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone. Stallone wrote the screenplay for Rocky after watching or hearing about the fight between a white, amateur boxer and the great Muhammad Ali. Rocky takes place in Philadelphia where you find Rocky, a young, amateur boxer who fights any fight that he can get into. He has a lot of heart but he is like all of the other millions of boxers out there looking to make a name for themselves.

During the daytime, Rocky spends time visiting Talia Shire's character Adrian at the local pet store. His friend Pauly is Adrian's brother, a real low-down scummy character that is just a drinker and abuser. He treats his sister badly and is jealous that there is something romantically brewing between Rocky and Adrian. Rocky meets up with Mickey, an old-timer boxing trainer that has been around the block once or twice. He knows that Rocky is through his chances and that he shouldn't take Rocky on as a trainee because Rocky dabbles in the Mafia for side jobs. Through Rocky's heart and determination, he gets Mickey on his side to give him a chance and train him.

On the other side of the fence, World Champion Apollo Creed, played by Carl Weathers, is looking for new blood. And a way to honor the Bicentennial through a huge promotional bout: champion Apollo Creed will take on a young amateur to show his humble spirit and make some big bucks on the side through a lot of promotion and spectacle. Through word of mouth and fighting in the City of Brotherly Love, Apollo Creed decides to fight the Italian Stallion Rocky Balboa. You'll have to watch this movie to see all of the components that make it a true classic.