Picture 49: Rocky (1976)

1976 and we head to the mean streets of Philadelphia. Sylvester Stallone is Rocky Balboa, a boxer struggling to make any notable headway in his sporting career. He reluctantly works as a loan shark for a mafia boss just to make ends meet.

Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) is on the opposite end of the spectrum. He is the heavyweight champion of the world. Creed plans to celebrate the United States Bicentennial with a title bout in Philadelphia but his opponent withdraws due to an injured hand. With a dearth of potential replacements, he decides to find a local challenger and Rocky’s opportunity arises. Rocky has 5 weeks to train for the fight of his life.

Stallone’s performance is not overdone but well nuanced. Carl Weathers is commanding and convincing as Apollo. Rocky’s love interest Adrian (Talia Shire – last seen in the Godfather as Michael Corleone’s younger sister) eventually brings enough to warm even the most frozen of hearts.

This is a classic tale of heroism and perseverance in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. It’s a lesson in overcoming obstacles and crippling doubts. The David vs Goliath tale has been skilfully rehashed with some montages and the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps thrown in.

This is a ballad for life and hard to beat no matter how many sequels are made. It is as good an embodiment of “The American Dream” as you will ever see.

Rating: 9/10

Reflections:

1.     We only fall in order to get back up again.

2.    After sufficient effort is invested, equanimity to outcome is permissible.

Oscar Best Picture Rankings:

1. The Godfather (1972)

2. Casablanca (1943)

3. The Apartment (1960)

4. Rebecca (1940)

5. The Godfather: Part II (1974)

6. The Sound of Music (1965)

7. A Man for All Seasons (1966)

8. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

9. Ben-Hur (1959)

10. Lost Weekend (1945)

11. Rocky (1976)

12. All About Eve (1950)

13. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

14. Hamlet (1948)

15. How Green Was My Valley (1941)

16. Gone With the Wind (1939)

17. West Side Story (1961)

18. Mrs. Miniver (1942)

19. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

20. Wings (1928)

21. Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

22. You can’t take it with you (1938)

23. Patton (1970)

24. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

25. On the Waterfront (1954)

26. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

27. Midnight Cowboy (1969)

28. Marty (1955)

29. Oliver! (1968)

30. Cimarron (1931)

31. Grand Hotel (1932)

32. The French Connection (1971)

33. An American in Paris (1951)

34. From Here to Eternity (1953)

35. It Happened One Night (1934)

36. My Fair Lady (1964)

37. Gentleman’s Agreement (1947)

38. Cavalcade (1933)

39. The Sting (1973)

40. The Life of Emile Zola (1937)

41. Going My Way (1944)

42. The Great Ziegfeld (1936)

43. All the King’s Men (1949)

44. In the Heat of the Night (1967)

45. Gigi (1958)

46. Around the World in 80 Days (1956)

47. The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)

48. The Broadway Melody (1929)

49. Tom Jones (1963)

Previous or current ranking leaders are in bold.

With credit and thanks to the patrons of the Best Picture Film Club:

Dr Sophie Bloomfield

Dr Caspar Briault

Dr Conrad Charlton

Dr Kate Diomede

Dr Fionnuala Durrant

Dr Josh Fisher

Mr Vivian Gallaher

Mrs Clare Gallaher

Dr Joseph Hamilton

Dr Adam Holland

Dr Sid Mohan

Dr Hannah Morrison

Dr Meera Radia