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Rocky IV

year 1985decade 80sdirector Sylvester Stallonegenre Sportsgenre Drama
host Bill Simmonshost Cousin Salhost Kyle Brandt
All 17 categories

The Neil McCauley “A Book about Metals” Award for Best Line from the Movie · 1:29:05

“Throw the damn towel!”

Bill Simmons: All three hosts selected the same line.

The film

Rocky IV (1985)

Directed by Sylvester Stallone · Sports

91 minutes (theatrical cut)93 minutes (director's cut)

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Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Sylvester Stallone Robert "Rocky" Balboa
Talia Shire Adrian Pennino Balboa
Burt Young Paulie Pennino
Carl Weathers Apollo Creed
Brigitte Nielsen Ludmilla Vobet Drago
Dolph Lundgren Captain Ivan Drago
Tony Burton Tony "Duke" Evers
Michael Pataki Nicolai Koloff
Rocky Krakoff Rocky Balboa Jr.
David Lloyd Austin Mikhail Gorbachev

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

33:40

Most Rewatchable Scene

No consensus: the combined training sequences; Drago–Rocky round two; the larger fight and entrance sequence

No consensus: the combined training sequences; Drago–Rocky round two; the larger fight and entrance sequence

In the discussion (12)
Approx. transcript time · 00:33:40Read transcript
  • The two training sequences together were the advance favorite and one final choice. — Bill Simmons
  • Creed’s “Living in America” entrance was nominated for James Brown, Drago’s confusion, and Apollo’s showmanship. — Bill Simmons
  • The full Drago–Creed fight was nominated, including the nicknames, glove touch, “throw the damn towel,” and “if he dies, he dies.”
  • The “you can’t win” confrontation with Adrian was nominated.
  • The Lamborghini “No Easy Way Out” montage was nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • Duke’s “Apollo was like my son” training speech was nominated.
  • The first old-school-versus-high-tech training sequence was nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • The second training sequence, with the mountain climb and “no pain,” was nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • Round two of Rocky–Drago was nominated for “he’s cut,” the tackle, and “he’s a man.”
  • Round fifteen was nominated for Drago’s collapse, the crowd turn, and “he’s chopping the Russian down.”
  • Rocky’s final speech and Gorbachev slow clap were nominated. — Cousin Sal
  • One host chose the nine-minute training and Adrian sequence; another chose the second round.
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55:51

What’s Aged the Best?

Drago’s minimal dialogue, Rocky’s clothes, Paulie’s arc, the training contrast, montage density, opening credits, and...

Drago’s minimal dialogue, Rocky’s clothes, Paulie’s arc, the training contrast, montage density, opening credits, and Ivan Drago himself

In the discussion (14)
Approx. transcript time · 00:55:51Read transcript
  • Drago’s six terse English lines remain iconic.
  • Rocky’s oversized jacket was praised.
  • Rocky wearing Cobra-style aviators to Apollo’s funeral was enjoyed as a specific mid-1980s choice.
  • Rocky’s Hugo Boss sweatshirts and Scorpion-like robe were praised.
  • Paulie’s arc from threatening brother-in-law to essential cut man was praised.
  • Adrian’s snake-shaped watch was singled out as exceptionally gaudy.
  • The natural-versus-steroids training montage remains effective despite its irony.
  • James Brown’s credit as “The Godfather of Soul” was enjoyed. — Bill Simmons
  • “Living in America” was reported as Brown’s first top-40 single in eleven years and the last of his career. — Bill Simmons
  • The film’s high-tech sports equipment looked ahead of its time. — Bill Simmons
  • Nearly 32 percent of the movie was reported to be montage.
  • Apollo’s later-unacknowledged son aged well because it enabled the Creed continuation.
  • The exploding Soviet and American gloves made the opening credits immediate and memorable. — Kyle Brandt
  • Ivan Drago’s lasting screen presence was chosen as the strongest aged-best element. — Bill Simmons
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1:02:01

What’s Aged the Worst?

Splintered patriotism, recycled footage, TV-delivered bad news, robot sexual jokes, reduced death impact, poor offici...

Splintered patriotism, recycled footage, TV-delivered bad news, robot sexual jokes, reduced death impact, poor officiating/training, accents, continuity, and the Stallone–Nielsen relationship

In the discussion (15)
Approx. transcript time · 01:02:01Read transcript
  • The film’s uncomplicated patriotism felt less relatable in 2020. — Bill Simmons
  • Opening another sequel with recycled footage from the prior Rocky was criticized. — Bill Simmons
  • Characters discovering major news by accidentally seeing it on television felt dated. — Cousin Sal
  • Paulie’s sexualized robot dialogue was the central robot problem.
  • The robot itself was defended as essential mid-1980s texture and as a nod to Stallone’s son.
  • The hastily made Sports Illustrated and magazine covers looked sloppy. — Bill Simmons
  • Apollo’s death has less shock on repeat viewings than it did in 1985. — Bill Simmons
  • Drago repeatedly hit Apollo after the bell without sanction. — Cousin Sal
  • Rocky’s pre-fight coaching gave Apollo no useful boxing advice. — Bill Simmons
  • Rocky froze with the towel while Apollo absorbed extra punishment. — Bill Simmons
  • Brigitte Nielsen’s Russian accent was criticized. — Bill Simmons
  • Adrian initially refusing to accompany Rocky to Russia was criticized. — Bill Simmons
  • The anonymous color commentator was treated as a weak replacement for a recognizable boxing voice. — Bill Simmons
  • Apollo’s boxing gloves disappear between cuts before his exchange with Drago. — Bill Simmons
  • The Stallone–Nielsen relationship and rapid marriage/divorce became distracting production context. — Bill Simmons
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1:10:44

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Michael Pataki as Nikolai Koloff

Michael Pataki as Nikolai Koloff

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:10:44Read transcript
  • Pataki was recognized from Night Shift and many other character roles. — Bill Simmons
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1:11:10

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

Carl Weathers

Carl Weathers

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:10Read transcript
  • Weathers was praised for dialing up every scene before Apollo’s death. — Bill Simmons
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1:11:53

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Split: Marianne Creed; James Brown

Split: Marianne Creed; James Brown

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:53Read transcript
  • Marianne Creed was praised for perfectly selling love, confusion, and terror in a few reaction shots.
  • James Brown was chosen by another host for a complete vintage performance and Apollo fist bump.
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1:17:02

Apex Mountain

Stallone’s 1985–86 global stardom; Dolph Lundgren; Warner Wolf; Barry Tompkins; Vince DiCola; movie sit-ups; sports-m...

Stallone’s 1985–86 global stardom; Dolph Lundgren; Warner Wolf; Barry Tompkins; Vince DiCola; movie sit-ups; sports-movie wet-blanket wives; Tony Burton; foreboding synthesizers; 1980s movie montages

In the discussion (14)
Approx. transcript time · 01:17:02Read transcript
  • Rocky IV plus Rambo: First Blood Part II made 1985–86 Stallone’s apex. — Bill Simmons
  • Rocky IV was considered a Cold War movie apex candidate, with Red Dawn preferred by one host.
  • Dolph Lundgren was treated as an apex case. — Bill Simmons
  • Survivor’s apex remained Rocky III because “Eye of the Tiger” was the larger phenomenon. — Bill Simmons
  • Warner Wolf’s local influence and “let’s go to the videotape” catchphrase made this an apex case. — Bill Simmons
  • Barry Tompkins was treated as being at his announcing apex. — Bill Simmons
  • Vince DiCola was treated as an apex case. — Bill Simmons
  • The hayloft and fire-lit sit-ups were called an apex for movie sit-ups.
  • The Russian anthem lost to The Hunt for Red October and earlier wrestling or game uses.
  • Adrian was argued as an apex sports-movie wet-blanket wife.
  • Tony Burton was treated as an apex case for Duke’s expanded role.
  • The robot lost the 1980s-robot apex to alternatives including Terminator and Johnny 5.
  • The film’s foreboding synthesizer music was considered an apex case.
  • Rocky IV was selected as the apex for 1980s movie montages.
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1:29:37

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

No ten-episode remake

No ten-episode remake

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:29:37Read transcript
  • The panel did not want a serialized remake. — Bill Simmons
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1:38:41

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

The bloody “throw the damn towel” towel

The bloody “throw the damn towel” towel

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:38:41Read transcript
  • The snake watch and Rocky’s funeral/Cobra aviators were proposed.
  • The bloody towel was the strongest choice if it could be authenticated. — Bill Simmons
  • The robot, gloves, trunks, James Brown robe, and treadmill were other candidates. — Bill Simmons
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1:40:50

Who Won the Movie?

Ivan Drago / Dolph Lundgren

Ivan Drago / Dolph Lundgren

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:40:50Read transcript
  • Dolph Lundgren’s unproven arrival and indelible villain performance were the main case.
  • The United States was proposed as a thematic winner, but Ivan Drago became the shared final answer. — Bill Simmons
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