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Rocky II

year 1979decade 70sdirector Sylvester Stallonegenre Sports drama

119 minutes

IMDb
Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Sylvester Stallone Robert "Rocky" Balboa , "The Italian Stallion"
Talia Shire Adrian Balboa
Burt Young Paulie Pennino
Carl Weathers Apollo Creed
Burgess Meredith Michael "Mickey" Goldmill
Tony Burton Tony "Duke" Evers
Sylvia Meals Mary Anne Creed
Seargeoh Stallone Robert "Rocky" Balboa Jr.
Paul Micale Father Carmine
Joe Spinell Tony Gazzo
Frank McRae meat foreman

Rocky II | The Rewatchables

host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanhost Van Lathanproducer Craig Horlbeckproducer Chia Hao Tatproducer Eduardo Ocampo
Explore episodeClose episode

Casting What-Ifs

Chuck Wepner’s proposed trainer role is discussed.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:19:49Read transcript
  • The real-life boxer who inspired Rocky was reportedly offered a trainer role later removed from the screenplay.

Half-Assed Internet Research

Research covers the dedication, Leroy Neiman, Rocky’s reading, running-scene extras, room 669, a novelization, and Burt Young’s weight loss before turning into Paulie speculation.

In the discussion (9)
Approx. transcript time · 01:25:19Read transcript
  • The film is dedicated to Stallone’s first agent, Jane Oliver.
  • Leroy Neiman appears drawing Apollo during training.
  • Rocky reads The Deputy Sheriff of Comanche County by Edgar Rice Burroughs to Adrian.
  • An estimated 800 schoolchildren were used for the running scene.
  • Adrian’s hospital room is numbered 669, described as an angel number.
  • A 1979 Rocky II novel credited to Stallone uses Rocky’s first-person narration and shifts to third person for Apollo.
  • Burt Young’s weight loss between films was disguised for the hospital scene and acknowledged in dialogue.
  • Paulie’s changing status and dependence on Rocky are discussed.
  • The group speculates that Paulie may be in love with Rocky.

Picking Nits

Rocky’s implausibly poor post-fight prospects, boxing rules and defense, chicken training, and Adrian’s tubeless coma are separate objections.

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:34:10Read transcript
  • Rocky should receive far more commercial and media opportunities after the first Apollo fight.
  • Apollo’s six-month layoff is questioned against the era’s frequent heavyweight schedules.
  • Chicken chasing is criticized as a poor training method.
  • The film’s double-knockdown rule is inaccurate because both fighters could continue if they beat the count.
  • Apollo absorbs implausibly many undefended body shots.
  • Adrian’s coma is shown without tubes, food, water, or other support.

Probably Unanswerable Questions

The pet store, Gazzo, betting, Apollo’s schedule, and whether Rocky loves boxing are separate questions.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:43:00Read transcript
  • Whether Adrian’s pet store ever has customers is questioned.
  • The Mafia bookie’s disappearance before Rocky III is attributed speculatively to violence or prosecutions.
  • Whether Rocky was an attractive five-to-one bet is debated.
  • Whether Rocky actually loves boxing is asked; the group sees him as trapped by limited alternatives.