Director:
Sylvester StalloneWriter:
Sylvester StalloneProducers:
Irwin Winkler, Robert ChartoffCinematographer:
Bill ButlerEditors:
Don Zimmerman, John W. WheelerProduction Designer:
Bill KenneyProduction Company:
United Artists Corp.
A 27 Mar 1983 LAHExam article stated that Sylvester Stallone would forego a salary on Rocky IV in exchange for a 50 percent share of the gross from film rentals after MGM/UA recouped its negative cost.
To cast the ferocious Russian boxer in the film, Stallone scoured the globe and considered 8,000 applicants before choosing Swedish-born Dolph Lundgren, 26. The 6-foot-6 Lundgren was a former European kickboxing champion and a first-degree black belt in karate.
A 14 Jun 1985 LAT article noted that to build momentum for Rocky IV, executives at MGM/UA released a 90-second trailer, which screened during the summer when crowds went to see Rambo: First Blood Part II, six months before the film’s release. In the same article it was noted that the National Screen Service had 3,707 Rocky IV trailers currently being shown in the U.S. and Canada, setting a new industry record. The previous record belonged to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
On 12 Mar 1985 HR reported that Rocky IV would begin principal photography on 18 Mar 1985, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The snowy location served as a secluded Russian town where Rocky trains for his fight with the Soviet Union’s champion boxer.
A Feb 1986 AmCin article reported that night temperatures dipped to 10 degrees below zero when the winter training sequences were filmed. Stallone was filmed running up a frozen mountain at the 11,000-foot altitude with heaters on the cameras, while the crew filmed in a helicopter ...
A 27 Mar 1983 LAHExam article stated that Sylvester Stallone would forego a salary on Rocky IV in exchange for a 50 percent share of the gross from film rentals after MGM/UA recouped its negative cost.
To cast the ferocious Russian boxer in the film, Stallone scoured the globe and considered 8,000 applicants before choosing Swedish-born Dolph Lundgren, 26. The 6-foot-6 Lundgren was a former European kickboxing champion and a first-degree black belt in karate.
A 14 Jun 1985 LAT article noted that to build momentum for Rocky IV, executives at MGM/UA released a 90-second trailer, which screened during the summer when crowds went to see Rambo: First Blood Part II, six months before the film’s release. In the same article it was noted that the National Screen Service had 3,707 Rocky IV trailers currently being shown in the U.S. and Canada, setting a new industry record. The previous record belonged to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
On 12 Mar 1985 HR reported that Rocky IV would begin principal photography on 18 Mar 1985, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The snowy location served as a secluded Russian town where Rocky trains for his fight with the Soviet Union’s champion boxer.
A Feb 1986 AmCin article reported that night temperatures dipped to 10 degrees below zero when the winter training sequences were filmed. Stallone was filmed running up a frozen mountain at the 11,000-foot altitude with heaters on the cameras, while the crew filmed in a helicopter above.
A 1 May 1985 column in DV stated that the Agrodome in Vancouver, British Columbia, was the site for a Russian fight arena for the film. Filming started 30 Apr 1985, for the final fight between Stallone and Dolph Lundgren. Producer Irwin Winkler noted that Stallone always filmed his grand finale fight first. For the eight-day shoot, locals wore dark clothes to look Russian.
On 7 Oct 1985 Newsweek reported that the production shut down for several days when Stallone had to be hospitalized after taking a particularly rough Lundgren punch during filming.
In Feb 1986, AmCin reported that the Apollo Creed fight was filmed in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Hotel.
A 8 Jun 1985 Screen International article reported that after two weeks of filming in Vancouver, the production resumed filming on MGM/UA’s Culver City studio sound stages and locations in the LA area for five weeks under the direction of writer and star Stallone.
MGM/UA’s 1985 marketing kit in 1985 announced that the company had agreed to partner in two strategies with Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream stores. In and around the time the movie was in theaters, local branch stores throughout America would feature Rocky Road IV with chunks of chocolate, marshmallow and nuts, as its Flavor-of-the-Month. Once in the store for the flavor, moviegoers would also have a chance to enter a special sweepstakes to win free movie passes.
On 5 Dec 1985, a trade ad in the HR stated that Rocky IV opened to the biggest Christmas season gross in motion picture history: $ 31,770,107.
On 23 Dec 1985 DV reported that Rocky IV played on a record 2,232 screens in the U.S. and Canada, expanding from 1,333 screens. This was the widest distribution of any film in history to the time.
A 5 Nov 1986 LAHExam article reported a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by screenwriter Tim Anderson in which he claimed he first pitched the idea of the Cold War bout to MGM board member Art Linkletter, giving him access to MGM executive Freddie Fields, and leading to a meeting in 1983 with MGM Vice President Dean Stolber and Stallone. The pitch stalled when Anderson met with then studio chief Frank Yablans, who was noncommittal. The studio returned Anderson’s script without making an offer. Anderson claimed $5 million in general damages and $100 million in punitive damages, according to his attorney, James Pagliuso. In addition to Stallone, Fields, Stolber and Yablans were all named as defendants in the suit.
On 18 Jun 1986, a trade ad in DV announced that the total worldwide box office for Rocky IV passed $252,000,000 on June 15, 1986.
In a 28 Dec 1987 LAT article, Rocky IV came in fifth place with $19,991,537 as one of the top opening weekend box office grosses in film history.
A 20 Jan 1991 Parade magazine article stated that Rocky IV was budgeted at $34 million and had brought in revenues of $278 million worldwide so far.
The following thanks appeared at the end of Rocky IV: "Sincere appreciation to the camera assistants from the Western District of I.A.T.S.E. Local 667, Vancouver, British Columbia;" "Special thanks to: Tony Papa and Casey Young;" "Special thanks to: Diane Neufield of The British Columbia Film Promotion Office, State of Nevada Motion Picture Division, Richard H. Bryan, Governor; Yamaha, Telex Communications, Ricoh Cameras, Rabena Belts and Wallets, T.W.A., Quinton Instrument Co., Baskin-Robbins, NEC Cellular Phone, Izod, Ltd., Pepsi-Cola Company, Duofold, Cybex Fitness Equipment, Biocycle, USA Cable Network, Bvlgari, York Barbell, Huffy Bicycles, Sweaters by Jhane Barnes, Tumi Luggage, Clothing & Sportswear by Hugo Boss, Tomy Corporation, Stroh Brewery Company, Inc., Breco's Leathers, Church's Fried Chicken,Inc., Knudsen Corporation, Sony Digital Compact Disc, Adidas USA, Tuf-Wear Mfg. Co., Inc., Professional Video Division, JVC Company of America, Nissan Motor Corporation in U.S.A., Versaclimber by Heart Rate, Inc., Diamonds on Rodeo of Beverly Hills, California; Reference to Sports Illustrated cover used with permission of Time Incorporated; Associated Film Promotions, Robert H. Kovoloff, Product placement by Lee Faulkner;" "This film is dedicated to the enduring memory of Jane Oliver."
In a flashback, Rocky Balboa defeats opponent Clubber Lang and regains his underdog champion status. At the boxing club where Balboa currently trains, Apollo Creed and Rocky kid about who is the better fighter when Apollo coerces Rocky to spar without TV cameras or reporters present. The “friendly” fight makes Rocky late for a birthday party for his brother-in-law, Paulie Pennino. A robot carrying a sheet cake is Paulie’s special present but he doesn’t like it. He wanted a new sports car. At night, Rocky romances his wife Adrian with another cake topped with a battling bride and groom in a boxing ring to celebrate their ninth wedding anniversary. She is surprised and touched because his celebration is a week early. A news item alerts Apollo to the arrival of Ivan Drago, an imposing Soviet boxer, looking to turn professional by fighting Rocky in an exhibition match. Drago and his entourage invite the sports press to their high tech training center to create a lasting impression. When reporters ask if Drago uses steroids, the denials are glib and swift. Apollo wants one last chance at boxing glory and lays out his plan for an exhibition bout with Drago around Rocky’s dining room table. Adrian believes that Apollo is taking on more than he can handle. He and Rocky watch a video of the two fighting each other in the ring. Although Apollo is five years past his last fight, he is not ready to give up his identity as a professional boxer and a celebrity. Apollo hypes his boxing talents at a press conference, announcing the exhibition match with Drago. Drago’s wife Ludmilla, and Nicoli ...
In a flashback, Rocky Balboa defeats opponent Clubber Lang and regains his underdog champion status. At the boxing club where Balboa currently trains, Apollo Creed and Rocky kid about who is the better fighter when Apollo coerces Rocky to spar without TV cameras or reporters present. The “friendly” fight makes Rocky late for a birthday party for his brother-in-law, Paulie Pennino. A robot carrying a sheet cake is Paulie’s special present but he doesn’t like it. He wanted a new sports car. At night, Rocky romances his wife Adrian with another cake topped with a battling bride and groom in a boxing ring to celebrate their ninth wedding anniversary. She is surprised and touched because his celebration is a week early. A news item alerts Apollo to the arrival of Ivan Drago, an imposing Soviet boxer, looking to turn professional by fighting Rocky in an exhibition match. Drago and his entourage invite the sports press to their high tech training center to create a lasting impression. When reporters ask if Drago uses steroids, the denials are glib and swift. Apollo wants one last chance at boxing glory and lays out his plan for an exhibition bout with Drago around Rocky’s dining room table. Adrian believes that Apollo is taking on more than he can handle. He and Rocky watch a video of the two fighting each other in the ring. Although Apollo is five years past his last fight, he is not ready to give up his identity as a professional boxer and a celebrity. Apollo hypes his boxing talents at a press conference, announcing the exhibition match with Drago. Drago’s wife Ludmilla, and Nicoli Koloff, his manager, are bored by Apollo’s boasting and proclaim that victory will be theirs. The boxers shove each other and disrupt the press conference. As Rocky pulls his friend off the podium, Apollo vows to finish the fight in the ring. The exhibition match is held in Las Vegas, where the event is more spectacle than sport. Apollo’s boxing trunks are covered in red, white and blue sequins and he wears a matching top hat and coat with tails. Singer James Brown and his band entertain the sellout crowd with a glitzy opening number, and Apollo throws in his own dance moves. The Russians can’t hide their disgust. Once the fight starts, it doesn’t take long for the six-foot-seven Drago to overpower the six-foot Apollo. Drago bloodies his face and pins him in a corner. At the end of the first round, Drago doesn’t break a sweat but Apollo can barely stand up. Rocky wants to stop the fight but Apollo won’t quit no matter what happens. It’s a prophetic statement because the second round is more punishing than the first. After a succession of lethal blows from Drago, Apollo falls unconscious to the mat like a rag doll. Rocky delivers the eulogy at Apollo’s funeral and places his world heavyweight championship belt on his casket. It is now Rocky’s turn to take on the Russian. He agrees to fight him on his home turf when Ludmilla says on air that threats have been made on her husband’s life. Adrian tells her husband that fighting the Russian is suicide but Rocky is determined to give it everything he’s got. He arrives in a secluded blizzard-covered training camp in the Soviet Union. Rocky uses everything in nature at his disposal to train, while Drago uses every bit of technology at his disposal. Drago receives an injection as part of his training. Fight day arrives in Moscow. The crowd is whipped into a frenzy yelling for Drago and Russian politicians take their seats. As they face each other in the ring, Drago towers over Rocky. In the first round, Drago pins Rocky in the corner but he breaks free. Rocky takes a fair share of blows but manages to dodge several jabs and attacks Drago’s midsection. Rocky has Drago against the ropes but the Russian pushes him away and smiles. Rocky rebounds and goes for Drago’s midsection again. After a few minutes absorbing Rocky’s punches, Drago turns the tables and delivers a series of punishing blows and Rocky falls to the mat. He gets up and Drago goes after him again. When the first round ends, Drago throws Rocky into his corner. Second round, Rocky alternately dodges Drago, lands a punch or two and then pushes Drago into the ropes. Drago grabs him by the arms and throws him across the ring. Rocky receives a torrent of grueling punches, as he takes everything Drago throws. Barely standing, Rocky throws a punch that badly cuts Drago above the eye. The Russian is stunned and Rocky lands more punches to his face, pressing him against the ropes with continuous blows to his midsection. When the round ends, Drago is hurt and tired. Emotions run so high, the fight almost becomes a street brawl before the fighters are separated. It is a relentless slugfest with Rocky absorbing most of the blows. In his best moments, he puts pressure on the Russian and succeeds in tiring him out. As Drago falls apart, his punches become sloppy and wild. Rocky stays on him and soon the crowd begins to root for Rocky. In the last round, Rocky taunts the Russian and lands a series of solid punches to Drago’s chin, sending him spiraling to the ground. The referee starts the count but Drago grabs the rope, and tries to pull himself up before collapsing in a heap. Rocky, the last man standing, is swaddled in the American flag as he’s hoisted victorious into the air as the crowd chants “Rocky, Rocky.” Breathless, Rocky’s victory speech acknowledges the rivalry between America and the Soviet Union and expresses the hope that two guys beating each other up can stand-in for the tensions between the two countries. His words are translated into Russian. The crowd roars its approval and even the Russian premier rises from his seat in tribute.
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