Rocky • The Next Reel

"All I wanna do is go the distance." Sylvester Stallone pretty much embodies everything about the character Rocky Balboa that he created for the film Rocky. He’s someone who wanted to go the distance, and may not have won but proved that he had the determination and stamina to really persevere in the long haul. And what’s interesting about the first film in the Rocky franchise is that it’s more a 70s character study than it really is a boxing film. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our look into the films of the Rocky franchise with John G. Avildsen’s 1976 film Rocky. We talk about how we went into the film and our histories with the franchise. We look at what the film is doing here and how it fits so well into 70s cinema, with boxing matches only bookending the story. We talk about Stallone as writer and the titular character and why this character is so endearing. We also talk about the characters around him – Adrian, Paulie, Mickey and of course Apollo Creed – and the wonderful actors playing the roles. We discuss Bill Conti’s iconic score. And we examine why this film hit so big at the time, both financially and in the awards circuits. It’s an iconic sports movie that’s more about determination than anything, and it’s a great way to kick off this new year and new series. We have a great conversation about it, so check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, the conversation begins. Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel! Film SundriesThank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon!Watch this film: iTunes • Amazon • YouTubeScript TranscriptOriginal theatrical trailerOriginal poster artworkFlickchartLetterboxdSupport The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible