It is one of the most representative films in the history of cinema. A story full of glory, conceived from the ambition and conviction of an unknown athlete who achieved absolutely everything he set out to do. A film that raised millions of dollars throughout the planet and gave popularity and eternal characterization as an action hero to Sylvester Stallone.. It's about Rocky Balboa, who else?

We already know, everyone saw rocky. It's one of those movies that's impossible to miss. (and if you didn't see it...you should be running to the nearest video or looking for somewhere online). That is why we decided to investigate it thoroughly and tell you the unknown side of this epic work.. From the moment it was thought, their tricks and parallel stories. The possible ending and how the producers wanted to get rid of good old Sly (Stallone's nickname) to carry the tape forward.

However, The story begins to be told when it was the mid-70s in New York City., Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone was there, who had not yet achieved his place in the world in the almost 30 years of life. Harassed by debts and lack of employment Roc…sorry, Stallone had to fight hard to get “some money” as he himself once described.

The common people believed that Sly had a long CV as an actor in conditional films, but the truth is that he only participated in a single, called “The Party at Kitty and Stud’s” and to the “disappointment” of some, The aforementioned film is not a classic XXX but is of the Softcore genre (in Creole, only nudes and scenes faked by the actors). For your participation, Stallone received 200 Dollars. Today, the movie is very difficult to get. On the other hand and after the success of Rocky, the film later became known as “Italian Stallion: The Party at Kitty and Stud’s”, based on Balboa's Italian Stallion nickname in the film.

Stallone knew he should definitely turn his “career” around if he wanted to be someone in show business., That's why he decided to turn to screenwriting., though, none will be out of the ordinary.

Dejected at not “finding it,” he thought that his head needed a rest and decided to go., the 24 March 1975, to the Cleveland Coliseum to see the fight between the recent champion Muhammad Ali and the unknown and already veteran of 34 years Chuck Wepner. The forecasts were 30 a 1 against Wepner, also known as “The Bayonne Bleeder”. there, for his part and after defeating George Foreman in Zaire in a spectacular fight, put his recent WCA and WBA titles in dispute. Nobody knew at that moment that a story of courage was being born, much less a subsequent cinematographic icon...

Against all possibilities, Wepner charged at Ali and managed to knock him down before the astonished gaze of those present.. That made the champion angry., He threw his best blows left and right against his opponent but...he did not fall and he bravely endured the beating until the last round., where he lost by KO.

Stallone left the venue fascinated and as soon as he got home he wrote in solo 3 days, 90 pages about an unfortunate boxer to whom the American dream would offer one last chance. That boxer was none other than Rocky Balboa, the Italian Stallion.

Story finished (before its various final touches, it's clear) The odyssey began for Sly's debut film to see the light. This is how the sketch came into the hands of producers Bob Chartoff and Irwin Winkler., They were impressed with the idea although they were not convinced by the presence of Stallone...they wanted someone with more film experience and Robert Redford was there at the time., Ryan O’Neal or Burt Reynolds as options. Stallone, in the play of his life, rejected the 300.000 dollars that MGM offered him to leave the script and the character in the hands of the production company and completely ruled out any possibility that the Rocky character would be played by another actor other than the, That's why he asked for an audition and got the role since his personality completely fit the story of someone bankrupt., accustomed to living in poverty.

The film was directed by John Gilbert Avildsen. (later in charge of the Karate Kid trilogy) With the curiosity that he accepted the job when he learned that in the end Rocky would lose the fight against Apollo. Likewise, Avildsen's hand was noticeable enough since in an original shot Stallone wanted a much darker story, with a character who, ready for combat, decided to abandon the sport, tired of the corruption and bad luck that boxing gave.. That was the ending of the movie that Sylvester intended at first..

Once the script is put together, producers confirmed, the director and the main actor, it only remained to know who would take the remaining roles. The role of Apollo Creed was the first to be cast and the paths pointed to Ken Norton, Heavyweight champion and one of the few living beings to have defeated Muhammad Ali, but he rejected the job in the first instance. It was then Carl Weathers, second option, who gave life to Balboa's charismatic rival, inspired by the personality of Muhammad Ali himself. How was the choice of the dark-haired man with the mustaches?? Simple, He had an interview with Stallone and confessed that he did not have the necessary experience to play the character of Rocky., due to his acting limitations. Seeing such sincerity – egocentrism and sarcasm included- Sly didn't hesitate for a second and chose it..

Carrie Snodgress was, In the first instance, the one chosen to be Adrian, companion and unconditional love of Rocky, but Carrie missed the boat by discarding the job for not reaching an economic agreement. Then, Talia Shire, who previously played Connie Corleone in The Godfather impressed everyone at his audition and won the role.

Those who completed the cast were Burgess Meredith (who played the Penguin in the Batman series in his younger years), putting yourself in the shoes of Mickey Goldmill, Rocky's trainer. Y Burt Young, as Adrian's drunken brother Paulie, that after a series of discussions, joins Balboa's “technical team” in future installments of the saga.

With all the chips to play, the film was filmed during 28 days and with a very modest budget of 1,1 millions of dollars (Yes friends, In cinema this budget is almost zero). There were many difficulties and limitations, especially with the use of the extras who participated as an audience in the final fight between Rocky and Apollo. Namely, the main event was filmed at Philadelphia's Spectrum over two days, the cost being very high. Consequently, the production decided to shoot the fight from back to front, That is why if you notice it well there is a greater number of spectators in the last rounds of the fight. further, Numbers related to makeup also became cheaper.

The date of the premiere in the United States occurred on 21 November 1976 in New York and the absolute premiere was 1 December of the same year. In our country, as it usually happens, arrived later, the 13 of January of 1977 and throughout the entire world the film was a smashing success. Only on North American soil did it raise 115 million dollars and was nominated for 10 Oscar awards, staying with 3 of the awards given by the Academy (Best film, Best Director and Best Editing). Despite this, Stallone never lost his nerve to know if people were going to like his movie. He became even more desperate when those present left the room without saying a single word.. Witnesses say that that day, dejected by that fact, The actor left the venue crying. What Sylvester didn't expect was the entire crowd, standing at the doors of the cinema waiting for him to applaud and applaud him for such a production that he had today 5 more stories to tell, plus that of Adonis, son of Apollo in the brilliant Creed.

Curiosities that maybe you didn't know about Rocky

Rocky trains with the dog that Adrian gives him. That dog is Baskis and he was Stallone's pet in real life.

Stallone's true intention was to film a movie about… taxi drivers! Luckily, he changed his mind.

When Apollo enters the ring he does so dressed as George Washington. At first, Carl Weathers did not want anything to do with filming that scene, thinking that he would be criticized for being a black actor.. The director accepted his position, but he asked them to film it anyway so he could see the final result.. When Weathers saw it, He was fascinated to the point of saying that this was the best scene in the movie..

Boxing celebrities such as Muhammad Ali and Ken Norton were invited to participate in the film but did not do so.. The one who was there was the great Joe Frazier.

Mickey, Rocky's trainer, He actually had a meek and serene character.. It was Burgess Meredith who gave him a stronger and more overwhelming personality..

There was an Argentine presence in the film, since Rocky's first contender – Spider Rico- was played by Pedro Lovell (native of the city of Quilmes), who had a promising career in the 70s and in the United States. Spider was seen again in the movie Rocky Balboa, of 2006, dining at his former opponent's restaurant.

Rocky was the first film to be filmed with the Steadicam system.. This method allows the cameraman to film a scene that includes movement without the footage appearing shaky..

Actors could not be hired for all roles due to budget issues.. For that reason Frank Stallone and Frank Jr, father and brother of the actor had their participation in the film. The first ringing the bell at ringside and the other singing in the street.