Rocky

"Like the movies of Frank Capra, Rocky is a glowing tribute to the human spirit — a chin-up reminder that the decent, little guys of the world often accomplish the impossible if only because they try so hard."

—New York Daily News

Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), a small-time boxer from working-class Philadelphia, is arbitrarily chosen to take on the reigning world heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), when the undefeated fighter's scheduled opponent is injured. While training with feisty former bantamweight contender Mickey Goldmill (Burgess Meredith), Rocky tentatively begins a relationship with Adrian (Talia Shire), the wallflower sister of his meat-packer pal Paulie (Burt Young).