ROCKY'S CORNER
p.1ROCKY IV
The film commences nearly where the other one left off. ROCKY and CLUBBER LANG are engaged in a brutal re-match.
APOLLO angrily spins Rocky around as they get to their corner, seizing him by the shoulders.
WRITTEN BYSylvester Stallone
SCREENPLAY PROFILE
This page presents the Rocky Iv (1985) screenplay, written by Sylvester Stallone, as 255 navigable scenes across 105 pages. The source is identified as Final Shooting Script, 1985-03-04. Search the text, isolate a character’s dialogue, or link directly to any scene.
ROCKY IV
The film commences nearly where the other one left off. ROCKY and CLUBBER LANG are engaged in a brutal re-match.
APOLLO angrily spins Rocky around as they get to their corner, seizing him by the shoulders.
The BELL SOUNDS.
Clubber starts to move in -- Rocky moves away and stiffly counters and keeps Clubber at bay.
Balboa is getting jarred by the barrage thrown at him -- He tries to slip away, but he is hopelessly trapped.
When all appears lost, Rocky throws a beautiful combina- tion that jars Clubber... Suddenly energized, Rocky begins to back Clubber up and has the man in trouble.
ADRIAN is on her feet.
Rocky now begins to work Clubber over, angling the man's body every which way from the variety of punches.
Rocky has driven Clubber painfully along the ropes.
Clubber rips an uppercut to the liver that freezes Rocky's motion... Clubber reverses the action and drives Rocky back.
Adrian is standing and chanting with the audience.
When all appears hopelessly lost, Rocky again turns the tide with a sudden flurry that moves him to the center of the ring -- He motions for Clubber to come ahead,
goes wild at the sight of the challenge.
Clubber wades into Rocky and the men bomb away at each other from point blank range... Both are nearly out on their feet.
Rocky matches the intenseness of the champion, and going back to his old style of bruising in-fighting, gains on Clubber, and finding the right opening, pours out a rapid volley of pinpoint accurate punches that knock Clubber backwards. The champion cannot regain his balance, and Rocky pummels him into a corner.
Rocky pulls out all stops and tattoos his opponent and finally whips a murderous right hook that topples Clubber sideways, through the ropes and out of the ring... Rocky leaps to a neutral corner as the REFEREE counts over the prostrate champion.
is insane with praise... Rocky looks at Adrian, his eyes are wild like an animal's in the heat of battle.
Apollo and Paulie are in suspended animation while moni- toring the Referee's count.
finishes the count.
The top nearly blows off the arena. The ring is flooded with press and well-wishers. Rocky leaps into the air and into Apollo's embrace.
Rocky smiles and embraces Apollo who is overwhelmed with emotion.
He kisses her.
New CREDITS begin to ROLL OVER this SCENE. A pair of LOCKERS are heard SLAMMING SHUT in the otherwise deserted and silent gym.
Apollo and Rocky are dressed in their boxing outfits and move toward the well-worn ring.
The men climb into the ring.
Apollo stands in his corner smiling.
They move to the center of the ring and begin sparring... They resemble two grown children trying to hold onto the last fragments of youth.
Rocky and Apollo are seen unleashing the same punch at the same time.
A HIGH ANGLE from the staircase reveals Rocky and Apollo as they ENTER the SCENE.
Both men appear damp. Rocky's left eye is reddened and Apollo's right eye is noticeably swollen.
Apollo smiles and heads to his car... Rocky turns and moves away.
MONTAGE - OMITTED
We see Rocky drive his new black sports car into the driveway of his home.
Rocky steps out, and wearily eyes the building equipment. The door flies open, and ROCKY, JR. jets out. He is wearing a bright cone-shaped paper party hat. He has the bright light of a sun-gun that is fastened on top of a movie camera aimed in Rocky's face.
Rocky removes a small wrapped present from the car.
They move to the house.
Rocky enters as his son runs ahead... bright sun-gun still on his father...
Several pieces of crepe paper have been strung with a sagging "Happy Birthday" sign stretched across the room ... on the table are party favors.
PAULIE sits at the head of the table with a large party hat on his head... he looks forlorn. He listens to a BALL GAME on a pocket RADIO.
Adrian steps out of the kitchen holding a flaming birth- day cake.
Rocky takes the small movie camera and begins filming the scene.
The door is held open by Adrian and a Robot enters hold- ing a flaming birthday cake. The Robot has a ribbon on its head.
Paulie gazes at all the burning 40 candles and the Robot.
Rocky Jr. playfully slaps his shoulder.
Paulie starts to blow out the candles as Rocky Jr. dumps a glass of water on the rest.
Paulie is simply dumbfounded. He glances at Rocky.
Rocky is in his study. The room is fairly dark except for the flickering lights emitted from a home computer.
The computer is programmed to teach English.
Adrian enters.
Rocky faces Adrian, then rises after turning off the machine.
Adrian nods.
Rocky kisses her and the SCENE FADES.
Paulie is walking down the hall, being followed by the Robot.
Paulie reaches his room; he enters and slams the door in the Robot's face... A second later he re-opens the door.
Many policemen are located every several feet approaching a boarding gate... Several detectives with earphones mill around the growing army of minicams, photographers and reporters. The NOISE begins to SWELL as an entourage steps from the boarding gate and into the glare of cameras.
The entourage is Russian. Present are several Russian security agents that flank a huge blond athlete with a hard angular face that appears to have been forged steel ... His eyes betray no emotions, almost robotized in his motions... One thing for certain, IVAN DRAGO is an awe- some specimen of carefully constructed manhood. Beside him is his gruff, barrel-chested manager, IGOR RIMSKY, and shorter trainer, NICOLI KOLOFF.
Almost employing a phalanx through the REPORTERS, the Russians move straight ahead in an arrogant fashion.
The Russian contingent brushes through the crowd like a Roman phalanx.
Apollo sits in a rowboat. A fishing pole is balanced in his hands. Apollo's eyes are glazed and bored. Gaz- ing on this tranquil scene, it could be said Apollo looks like a major displacement of manpower. A small portable television is situated on the front seat of the boat.
Apollo's eyes lift from the floor and finally show a keen ray of mounting interest. The Announcer's face disappears, and on the TV a full blown press conference appears... Seated in front of a forest of microphones, is the Russian super heavyweight, Ivan Drago and his bearish manager, Igor Rimsky.
Next to Rimsky is a Cuban trainer. Stationed behind them is a row of Russian security guards. The men are almost engulfed in the strobe-like effect from the bat- tery of cameras.
O.S. REPORTER VOICES are heard firing questions at the Russian.
Drago shifts his eyes to the camera, then to Rimsky.
The Cuban coach nods his head in agreement.
The Reporter comes back on.
Apollo turns away from the television and pulls in his fishing rod and rapidly begins rowing for shore.
Rocky is with his son in the office room. The room is full of the child's toys, but all the focus is on a small home computer. Paulie stands with a beer and the Robot in the doorway.
The Robot rolls forward and Paulie takes the beer... Adrian's voice is heard:
He moves away; Paulie turns to Rocky Jr.
They walk off together.
Rocky walks up to Apollo in the living room and they shake hands.
Apollo picks up a football that is lying on the lawn.
Apollo makes a couple of fakes against Rocky, who grabs for the ball.
The gym is very antiseptic white and resembling somewhat of an experimental laboratory.
The press stands with several minicams filming a portion of the training method of Drago.
Drago is in a tank top and sweat suit bottoms. Both garments have the insignia of the Soviet Union embroid- ered on.
There are a pair of electrodes hooked up to Drago's upper back. Behind him a video camera and a large computer graph with a diaphramatic readout instrument that basic- ally charts the angle of the body when it makes impact with a stationary target.
Rimsky turns to Ivan Drago and the giant throws a punch into a padded area above which is a digital readout... the meter 1650 lbs.
Apollo is pacing along the dinner table like a wildcat. Rocky and Adrian follow him with their eyes... Paulie is engrossed in watching Rocky Jr. eating a massive piece of chocolate cake.
Rocky looks at Adrian and receives no response. She is definitely not enjoying this conversation.
Apollo looks to Rocky in a split-second of disbelief at Adrian's statement.
The child takes off and Rocky re-faces Apollo.
Paulie pushes a button. The Robot enters carrying a bottle of beer and a glass.
Paulie pushes a button and the Robot exits.
Rocky rises and goes after Adrian.
Adrian is putting away some food.
She places a milk carton in the ice box.
Rocky turns and exits the kitchen and re-enters the din- ing room. Rocky faces Apollo who looks at him with an expression of apprehension... Rocky looks at Apollo and nods his acceptance. Apollo smiles.
Rocky is standing outside a pair of double doors for someone... After a moment he enters the double doors.
Apollo Creed radiates despondency as he scans the many empty folding chairs... In the audience are only six reporters. Behind Apollo are several large photo blow- ups of his fight with Rocky and one from Rocky I, garbed in his Uncle Sam outfit.
Rocky steps into the high-ceilinged room and shakes his head "no" at Apollo, who moves to the podium.
A pair of REPORTERS exchange glances.
The Reporters are not impressed.
The Reporters look idly at their pads.
A long deadly silence.
Rocky glances at Apollo who is crushed by the lack of attention.
Apollo is thoroughly depressed as he sits beside his pictures on the reception room stage.
Rocky sits in the empty audience... Rocky finally breaks the silence.
Apollo raises his eyes.
He rises.
The taxi is seen idling in front of the large squarish industrial building. The Driver glances at his watch then glances at the building.
Apollo is standing with Rocky in front of a pair of security GUARDS... The Guards are blocking the fighters' passage down a long grey corridor... SOUNDS of athletes TRAINING can be heard in the background.
He shoves his way past the Guard. Rocky follows.
Apollo and Rocky enter a pair of large swinging doors.
Rocky and Apollo enter what appears to be a time warp. All the gym equipment is dazzling chrome and high tech. The likes of which the two fighters have never seen.
In the room are eight Russian fighters, ten trainers and six white-cloaked lab technicians.
Apollo boldly steps forward.
The Russians begin to murmur among themselves.
From behind Apollo, Ivan Rimsky appears followed close- ly by the massive Drago and the rest of the trainers. Koloff stands in the background.
Rocky eyes Drago and whispers to Apollo.
Apollo tightens and moves forward. Rocky grabs his arm. Rimsky shoots a fleeting glance at Koloff who remains hard-eyed.
Big Drago starts to move to Apollo. Rimsky blocks his progress and mocks Apollo in Russian and eyes Koloff again.
Eight police led by the Security Guard burst into the room.
Koloff nods to Rimsky who, in turn, gives Drago an order in Russian.
Just then, Drago grabs Apollo and shoves him violently backwards. Apollo regains his balance and charges the Russian who remains as impassive as a mountain of granite.
The police hold Apollo back as Rimsky looks at him and Rocky with disdain.
The police start to guide Apollo out.
Apollo looks at him with a hard expression as he exits.
As they move down the hallway, Apollo leans over to Rocky.
Apollo sits in front of a battery of microphones -- likewise Rocky... At the opposite end of the table is Koloff, Rimsky, Manuel Vega and, of course, the massive Ivan Drago.
In front of the fighter is a wall of REPORTERS and mini- cams. Adrian and Paulie stand off to the side.
Rimsky leans forward.
Rimsky nods at Drago.
Apollo rises and points at Rimsky.
Rimsky and Drago rise.
The Russians exit. Rocky turns away from the Russian and faces Apollo.
Adrian and Paulie advance. Apollo joins a cluster of Reporters.
Apollo is jumping rope. Rocky is observing the stop watch.
Apollo is sparring with a large partner. He is get- ting the better of him. At the height of his assault. he throws a hard right and drops the sparring partner. He turns and walks away.
Apollo is seen sprinting up what appears to be an end- less flight of stairs. Rocky stands at the bottom and cheers him on.
Apollo starts back down.
Apollo is on the heavy bag.
Apollo is completing a grueling series of sit-ups. Rocky's expression shows growing concern.
Apollo is seen shadowboxing alone... Rocky is at ring- side.
Apollo is jumping rope... Rocky clocks him with a stop- watch.
Rocky is pounding Apollo in the midsection... Apollo lies prone on a table.
Rocky is blowing bubbles and Apollo is snapping them with his lightning jabs.
Apollo is shadowboxing in the ring alone. Rocky observes from ringside.
Apollo stops boxing.
People head into the glittering casino or ballroom above which hangs a bold marquee that reads: "SPECIAL EVENT APOLLO CREED (USA) VS. IVAN DRAGO (USSR)."
The CAMERA MOVES DOWN FROM THE CEILING REVEALING a packed room. The room itself is more like a disco with a well- dressed audience pulsating to a live band and extra- ordinary lightshow. The entire scene has the aura of a fantastic but slightly decadent late night New York club.
Drago stands in the ring. He solemnly eyes the scene, drinking this strange environment with absolute disdain. Beside him is Rimsky and the other cornerman, Cuban, Manuel Vega. Seated nearby is the sinister presence of Kolouff... The spectators eye the Russian giant, the way they would a caged bear... Suddenly the music changes and Apollo Creed is seen entering the room.
Apollo is dressed as Uncle Sam, and striding through the crowd behind a wall of smaller ushers... Rocky stands beside Apollo. He appears concerned. Beside Rocky is Duke. Apollo is waving to the crowd with two small American flags. The crowd LOVES IT.
Apollo reaches the band, jumps up with the players and to the crowd's delight, sings for a few seconds, then hurries to the ring... Apollo has the ropes held open by Duke and climbs into the ring.
Apollo eyes the Russian across the ring while flicking his jab into the air.
Rocky smiles at Apollo.
Rocky steps forward and waves at the crowd.
The RINGSIDE TELEVISION COMMENTATORS adjust their head- phones and observe Rocky.
Rocky returns to the corner.
From across the ring the giant Russian eyes them.
Apollo settles down and the BELL RINGS for silence.
The crowd CHEERS mixed with a smattering of BOOS and Drago merely stares death-like at Apollo.
Rocky moves close to Apollo.
Ringside Commentators.
Apollo, Rocky and Paulie move to the center of the ring... Likewise, the Russian corner, Drago never removes his penetrating eyes from Apollo. His ferocious concentra- tion is unnerving.
The manager, Rimsky, translates into Russian.
The Russian continues to stare even more intently as Apollo backs into his corner.
The Russian moves to his corner, still never breaking his stare... Rimsky gives the last minute instruction in Russian.
Duke leans through the ropes for last-minute instruc- tions.
Rocky nods -- Apollo tenses as the BELL RINGS.
The fighters move to the center of the ring and Apollo wastes no time in pushing five blinding jabs in the Russian's static stoic face.
Apollo changes direction and continues to jab the Russian.
coldly eyes the action.
Apollo hits the Russian twice more when suddenly an ex- press train right hand explodes against his jaw.
Apollo staggers back, but the Russian is on him. The Russian bombs him with hooks and right hands, most of which land... Apollo is in trouble!
Apollo attempts to clinch but in a display of shocking strength, Drago breaks the grip and shoves Apollo against the ropes... Apollo brilliantly slips under a thunderous book and backpedals to the center of the ring.
Apollo steps forward and unleashes his best Sunday punch in the center of the Russian's face... It barely stops the Russian's forward momentum as the enraged Russian charges in for the kill.
Apollo is valiant as he tries to ward off the attack... The Russian is now loose, and boxing with deadly grace.
Apollo and the Russian stand toe-to-toe... using more guts than brains. Apollo tries to trade with the giant.
Apollo manages to step around Drago and drive an incredi- ble flurry of three picture-perfect left/right combina- tions, but instead of backing up for more punching room he insanely calls for the Russian to come ahead for more.
The enraged Russian dances forward then steps to the side and smashes Apollo flush on the jaw with a sneaky right hand and nearly crumples the former champion.
Apollo slumps against the rope and the massive Russian moves in for the kill.
The BELL RINGS and Apollo staggers to his corner as the Russian mocks him.
Drago returns to his corner with an air of supreme confi- dence. Rimsky speaks forcefully to him in Russian, about how hard Apollo Creed hits... Drago gives a nonchalant shrug and eyes the stunned audience.
Apollo is slumped on a stool, panting. His left eye is swelling badly.
The BELL RINGS and once again Apollo is being crushed by the ferocious Russian. Granite hard blows rain down on Apollo. Life is progressively being pounded out of him.
Apollo's wife screams out in fear.
Apollo is now being held up by the Russian and his lethal arching right hand punches down on the barely conscious Apollo.
Rocky is just about ready to throw the towel in... Adrian rushes up.
Apollo turns to his corner and shakes his head "no." Rocky looks at Duke, who yells, "Throw it." Rocky looks back at Apollo and drops the towel to the floor. In a final display of raw fighting instinct, Apollo rolls off the ropes and unleashes a final flurry of jabs and hooks that manage to halt Drago's brutal assault momentarily and the crowd goes berserk.
Rather than run, Apollo chooses to hold his ground and the Russian charges through Creed's punches and nearly crushes Apollo's head with a killing right hand bomb... He hits the defenseless champion with three more punches that nearly decapitate Creed... The Referee tries to step in to end it, but in a blind fury the Russian shoves him aside and delivers one final blow that hammers Apollo to the canvas. The back of his head collides heavily against the ring floor.
The CROWD BOOS at the outrage.
Rocky and Paulie rush to Apollo, followed by the ringside PHYSICIANS.
smiles dryly at the victory and nods his approval to Rimsky.
Rocky removes Apollo's mouthpiece... Reporters and cam- eramen hover around like vultures.
The furious crowd yells out its displeasure... The vic- torious Russian adds insult to injury by having a large Russian flag draped around his shoulders. Rimsky guides him to the center of the ring and grabs the announcer's microphone. He hands it to Drago. There is chaos in the ring.
Rocky is helping place Apollo on a stretcher.
A minicam glares in Rocky's face.
The camera remains filming Drago in center ring.
Adrian catches Rocky's eye for a slicing glance and the emotional turmoil between the two is electric.
Drago in center ring.
Several minicams glare their harsh lights in Drago's face... The atmosphere's chaotic.
is being cradled in Rocky's lap.
Rocky is with Apollo who is at death's door.
The press interview with Drago is still going with great enthusiasm.
Drago looks at Rimsky, who nods it is all right to speak.
Drago eyes the confusion surrounding Apollo and exits with Rimsky.
Rocky is still with Apollo who is semi-conscious with his eyes closed.
A second -- then third minicam followed by reporters and photographers surround Rocky and Apollo.
The scene PADES FROM AN OVERHEAD SHOT into:
It is a misty day. Thirty mourners watch as Apollo's casket is being lowered into the grave... Rocky stands with Adrian and Paulie.
Apollo's wife and two children are there. Also Duke, Apollo's trainer.
Rocky raises his eyes from the descending casket and looks at Adrian... Also present are two television film crews.
Rocky places his heavyweight championship belt on the coffin... He looks back down as the coffin disappears from sight... His reddened eyes are set in a dark aura of vengeance.
Rocky starts to move away. He pauses in front of Mrs. Creed.
Mrs. Creed remains frozen with her eyes still downcast as Rocky moves away.
Rocky pauses and turns. The camera crew faces them.
Rocky is speechless. The television camera swings onto him. Rocky is totally lost...
Rocky starts to move away. Adrian steps up beside him.
Rocky turns away, leaving Adrian alone.
Traffic and city life abound as the CAMERA SLOWLY PANS UP a New York skyscraper... Conversation is heard above the metropolitan DIN.
Rocky is seated in front of a GROUP OF FIVE MEN who sit like a gathering of the Spanish Inquisition on one side of the table, as Rocky sits alone on the other.
... The atmosphere is tense.
Rocky looks tired, despondent.
Rocky shifts nervously in his seat.
Rocky coldly eyes Commissioner #1.
Rocky rises and heads to the door.
Rocky exits.
and hot glaring mini-cam lights.
The object of their attention is Rocky, who sits behind a long table. At the other end is the Russian contingent of Drago, Rimsky and the ever-present Koloff.
Adrian sits off to the side.
Rocky stares sternly into the lights of the unrelenting cameras.
The Reporters shift their attention to the Russian sector of the table.
Paulie shakes his head.
Rocky gives him a stern look.
Rimsky quickly whispers in Drago's ear.
The Reporter backs up. Rimsky looks towards Koloff who nods.
The room becomes a morass of confusion.
Adrian looks on in disbelief.
Rocky just stares over at Drago.
Paulie rubs his eyes.
Rocky eyes Paulie who stands.
Adrian lowers her head. Drago is motioned to by Rimsky, who is motioned to by Koloff to rise and depart. Drago and his people rise. He looks over at Rocky.
Rocky turns and eyes Drago. Flashbulbs are reflecting off their faces.
The tense look between the two rivals. FREEZE and --
The caption reads, "Grudge Fight Set for Soviet Union."
Rocky is carrying his son slung over his shoulder up the stairs... It is bedtime. Rocky Jr. is in pajamas.
Rocky enters his son's room which is lit by a single lamp which reveals an array of neatly placed toys.
Rocky kisses his son and heads for the door.
Rocky turns out the bedroom light.
Rocky steps out into the hallway and spies Adrian at the bottom of the staircase... they lock eyes for a fleeting moment, then they almost painfully step from each other's view.
Drago is seen in the antiseptic confines of his gym... He is in the ring sparring with a partner that resembles Rocky's stature... His manager yells at a precise mo- ment, and like the machine he is, he drops the hapless sparring dead in his tracks.
enters the gym. FLASHBULBS EXPLODE in his face. The room is crowded with gym types and many local male and female well-wishers and a contingent of children. A large flag is strung across the center of the gym, and many of those present hold small American flags, plus a couple of placards that read, "America #1," "Don't Bomb. Send Rocky," "Beat the Bear," "Pride of America," "U.S.A. All The Way."
A powerful sungun attached to a portable mini-camera blares into Rocky's eyes.
Duke comes over and greets Rocky.
An IVY LEAGUE-TYPE SPORTSCASTER steps forward... Paulie enters and steps behind Rocky.
Rocky turns his penetrating expression from the brash Sportscaster.
As Rocky pulls into his driveway he sees a group of WOMEN wearing red, white and blue ribbons on their coats. Rocky rolls down the window.
Rocky nods and proceeds up the driveway.
Rocky and Paulie step through the kitchen and see Rocky Jr. making a colorful concoction in a dripping salad bowl.
Adrian enters.
Rocky steps out behind Adrian... Paulie lingers for a second and eyes the jello. He lightly grabs the child's arm in gangster fashion.
Rocky enters the beautifully decorated, though a bit overly racoco living room and TWO OFFICIAL LOOKING GENTLEMEN, one of medium height, middle forties, and the other, thicker, same age and pugnacious in appearance, put down their coffee and rise.
Rocky nods.
At this point, Paulie enters with a half-devoured Yankee Doodle creme-filled abomination in his hand. Behind him is the robot holding -- beer.
The guests eye Paulie.
Adrian gets up and leaves.
Rocky smiles at Paulie and exits towards the kitchen. He passes Adrian heading in the opposite direction carrying an armful of pressed clothing.
Adrian moves away and Rocky enters the kitchen.
Rocky steps in and sees his son staring sullenly at the bowl of Jello-O, which has several banana peels nearby.
Drago is hooked up to a computer readout machine by elec- trodes that are fastened to his upper back... He pounds away at a 1½ foot square pressure plate located in the center of a large suspended heavy bag that is fastened by chains at the bottom and top. He bombards it with thun- derous blows.
Flashbulbs burst from the large gathering of spectators who wave slogans and jockey for a better position to watch Rocky train.
Rocky is working the speed bag at a vengeful pace but cannot help being distracted by the excited spectators ... Paulie, who is wearing a T-shirt that reads Paulie on top and in smaller letters below, reads "a very important person." He holds the towel. Duke holds the stopwatch.
Paulie, Rocky and Duke move towards the heavy bag.
Just then, a group of five OLDER MEN dressed in the garb of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars outfits step forward.
He hands over a symbolic hat like they all are wearing.
Before Rocky can object, the group of men line up behind him. Each one holds a small flag on a stick over Rocky's head and a FLASH goes off... Paulie's expression reflects his growing sympathy for Rocky's plight.
Rocky and Paulie veer from the street and head into the driveway. Out in front of the driveway is a gathering of twenty people. Several have flags. They begin to cheer as Rocky enters.
Rocky forces a smile but his eyes are vacant. The scene slowly DISSOLVES THROUGH the frantic fans.
The large home is dark except for one light on in the downstairs window.
The CAMERA PANS AROUND the many lovely possessions and array of awards and finally comes to SETTLE ON Rocky who is silhouetted by the light emanating from a single lamp... Rocky is putting away his awards into boxes.
Adrian enters dressed in a housecoat and obviously just awakened.
She moves deeper into the room.
Rocky does not answer.
Rocky exits the room, leaving Adrian alone in her despair.
Paulie stands at the rear of a limo, watching the bags being loaded into the trunk.
Rocky sits at the side of his son's bed.
The CAMERA SLOWLY DOLLIES IN on the scene.
They embrace as the scene ends.
Rocky comes down holding his coat. Adrian is waiting at the bottom.
Adrian nods.
Adrian slowly shakes her head no. Rocky embraces her and they kiss.
Rocky turns and enters the limo... Adrian stares de- featedly at the departure.
A massive 747 jumbo jet sets down on the runway.
A pair of GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS exit the terminal followed by Rocky, Paulie and Duke, the Cutman.
Rocky is wearing a heavy short jacket, less sartorial and more earthy, whereas Paulie is wearing an overly thick insulated worn-out jacket with "National Rifle Association" and a flag embroidered on the back... On his head is a Philadelphia Eagles wool cap which is perched about a pair of fake dirty white rabbit earmuffs. Duke is also there in a heavy wool jacket.
They arrive at a dark car. The Government Officials stand waiting.
Rocky eyes the expressionless Official and disappears into the auto.
The car pulls up to a rather plain looking farmhouse with an overwhelming aura of loneliness... A second dark car pulls in behind Rocky's car, but the two occupants remain inside.
Rocky nods.
They walk towards a large barn... Rocky gestures at the two men seated in the trailing car.
The barn door opens and all the men are FRAMED in the backlit entryway.
Rocky steps forward for a closer look at the dull, op- pressive interior. In the room is a heavy bag, speed bag, and a double end bag.
Shafts of light from high ventilation windows provide a most secular aura.
Rocky looks at the gym and starts to move out.
Rocky steps outside and sees the two policemen still seated in the dark just watching. The two lock stares for a moment.
On the mirror are pictures of Adrian, Rocky Jr., and off to the side, Drago. Rocky steps INTO VIEW and studies it with intense concentration, then moves away.
Rocky steps out of his spartan bedroom.
Rocky steps outside. Paulie is waiting with Duke... In the b.g. are the two policemen.
Moves away.
Gestures to his heart.
BEGIN TRAINING MONTAGE:
Rocky is seen running across barren frozen flatland... a tiny figure all alone... the CAMERA PANS and REVEALS the secret police watching...
Drago is seen on a treadmill running in the sterile con- fines of his gym.
Rocky is pounding away at the heavy bag in the dark barn. A large log fire in the center of the barn blazes and turns the barn into a sweat box.
Drago hits the heavy bag with such force that it takes two men to hold it steady.
Rocky is seen chopping wood alone.
Drago is working on a modern piece of Nautilus-type exer- cise equipment... His pulse and blood pressure are being monitored by fastened electrodes which read out on the computer.
Rocky is loading rocks into an old, formerly horsedrawn sled.
Rocky is seen pulling the incredibly heavy and cumber- some sled along the flatlands.
Rocky is doing incline sit-ups while Duke pounds his stomach with a medicine ball.
Drago is using a high-tech machine that is chrome with water-filled cannisters for his legs. He performs the dramatic stretching exercise with great power.
A single lamp on the dresser shows Rocky staring at the photograph of Drago.
Rocky passes several farmhouses in the bitter morning cold... a pair of Russian peasants leading a cow, stare as he passes...
Drago is using the speed bag with great fluid movement.
Rocky pulls the sled across another snow-covered field. His face is wind-burned and ice has formed on his eye- brows and strands of hair that hang beneath his wool cap.
Drago is sparring. After several flicking jabs, he pul- verizes a hapless sparring partner with a single right hand.
Rocky jumps rope and runs backwards and forwards while spinning.
Rocky hits the speed bag.
Rocky climbs a thick hemp rope hanging from a beam twenty feet overhead.
Rocky does pull-ups behind his neck.
Rocky ducks underneath a rope held taut by Duke.
Rocky removes Adrian's picture from the mirror.
Drago uses a modern water machine for behind the neck presses.
Drago sprints harder on the incline treadmill.
Drago is being rubbed down by two trainers.
Drago floors another sparring partner with ease.
Rocky is seen pulling the sled up the torturous incline, until he buckles from exhaustion.
Rocky removes Rocky Jr.'s picture from the mirror. Only Drago's picture remains. Rocky's bearded and shadowed face stares at his rival with intense concentration.
In the flames given off by the intense log fire, Rocky is seen doing handstand pushups against the barn wall.
Rocky is seen pulling the rock-filled sled further up the mountain.
Rocky chops furiously at a massive tree.
Rocky continues to ascend with the sled. His body is being pushed to the limit.
Rocky insanely assaults the heavy bag. Paulie can barely hang on.
Rocky is nearly at its peak with the sled.
Rocky elimbs to the top of the rope and slaps the beam.
Rocky finally reaches the top of the awesome hill and breathing as though he were going to explode, stares down into the valley below with chilling defiance... He hoists the massive sled onto its side and sends it spilling into space.
The Russian's name REVERBERATES DOWN the mountain as the stone plummets to earth. END TRAINING MONTAGE.
Rocky has returned home after his grueling ordeal of training. As he approaches the house, the door opens and Adrian steps out. She is beautifully dressed in a fur coat and hat, a stark contrast to Rocky's garments. Rocky stops at the sight of her, then almost timidly approaches. Adrian is taken aback by the hardened and worn expression on her husband's face.
Rocky nods and moves closer, but his expression stays the same.
Rocky kisses her and the SCENE FADES.
People garbed in their heavy winter clothing, file into the thickly constructed arena.
The arena is mostly packed with native Russians. Soviet symbols and posters of past political leaders hang in every corner of the dark arena. One particularly massive red flag with the Soviet Hammer and Sickle is stretched across the private box of the highest ranking Soviet officials.
We see RINGSIDE COMMENTATORS from Japan, South America, England, Italy, and, of course, America.
being taped.
being taped. A FLASH CUT of his eyes:
Drago's back muscles are being greased up.
Rocky's back and arms are being greased up.
The pair of AMERICAN COMMENTATORS face a portable tele- vision camera.
Drago stands in front of the mirror snapping out punches. He pauses, takes a deep breath and spits in disdain.
From the preceding scene, finds Rooky praying alone in the lavatory. Once done, he rises and crosses to Adrian at the doorway.
A SHOT of the Italian commentators speaking.
A SHOT of the Japanese commentators speaking.
A CLOSEUP of the American Commentators speaking.
Rocky, Jr. and several of his friends are glued around the television.
The SOUND of BOOING and piercing WHISTLES cut through the arena.
JEERING Rocky.
Rocky, Paulie and Duke move forward.
Rocky, Paulie and Duke head past the hostile crowd to the ring... Rocky stares straight as though in a trance.
Rocky glances up at the huge red Soviet flag that hangs above the dignitaries' box and locks eyes with the Soviet Prime Minister.
Rocky passes the Commentator and enters the ring and the BOOING escalates.
Rocky shakes his muscles loose and ignores the JEERING.
Just then the jeering turns to CHEERS as Drago and com- pany enter the arena... all present rise and the RUSSIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM is PLAYED.
Drago is a towering structure of confidence.
Rocky watches Drago approaching and his face tightens with anticipation.
As Drago passes the dignitaries' box, he nods his head in respect and continues on.
Drago enters the ring and glares at Rocky as he grace- fully shakes his muscles loose.
CUTS of the Russian ringside Sportscaster speaking rapidly.
CUTS of the South American Sports Announcer speaking.
American Commentator.
Paulie rubs Rocky's back.
The Russian spectators start a droning CHANT, resembling the type heard at soccer games and the arena walls REVER- BERATE.
Drago waves to the packed house and removes his robe. On the corner of his dark maroon trunks is the Russian sym- bol of the hammer and sickle.
The BELL is RUNG and both fighters are summoned into the center of the ring by the Referee... the CHANTING MOUNTS.
Rocky Jr. sits with his FRIENDS.
Drago glares at Rocky.
Rocky returns to his corner; Drago to his.
Rimsky the manager steps out of the ring while addressing the Russian fighter.
Rocky shakes his neck loose as Paulie loosens Rocky's robe.
Rocky nods and sees Adrian sitting in a designated front row seat.
Rocky finally has his robe removed beneath while he is wearing Apollo Creed's red, white and blue trunks... The arena goes insane at the patriotic sight.
Rocky glances at Adrian, then quickly bends to one knee and makes the sign of the cross... He rises and locks his combative eyes with Drago, who smirks in disdain.
The BELL RINGS.
Rocky fires out of his corner and the big Russian circles to the side flashing stiff jabs and keeping Rocky off- balance.
As Rocky continues to flail away at the body, Drago con- tinues to bomb the Italian at will. He clearly is not intimidated by his opponent at all.
Rocky leaps up and cracks Drago with a murderous right hook, but the Russian merely shrugs it off and smirks... The crowd GOES WILD.
Rocky goes after the Russian with a vengeance, but to no avail.
Adrian's expression is brimming with concern.
Drago is being CHEERED on by the rabid spectators, and responds by catching Rocky off guard and commences with a vicious assault that nearly topples Rocky. The crowd leaps to their feet as one.
Adrian is on her feet.
Paulie and Duke are frantic.
The Commentators are flushed with excitement.
In the center of the ring, Rocky is trying to remain upright, but the bombardment is intensifying. Rocky is knocked down.
The crowd leaps to their feet.
Rocky rises and motions that he is all right... Drago mocks him. Drago attacks.
Rocky now employs the skill he learned from Apollo Creed. With deft, quick movements, he evades the majority of Drago's blows and seems to be successfully weathering the storm... Suddenly he is pounded down again. Rocky is stunned, but rises to his feet. The crowd's CRAZED.
Rimsky motions to Drago to move in for the kill.
Rocky Jr. in front of the television.
Drago, with unexpected speed, attempts to cut off the ring and corner Rocky... Rocky miraculously slips out of the corner and whips a powerful three-punch combina- tion into Drago's stomach...
Rocky side-steps a whistling hook and drives another series of body blows into Drago.
The manager, Rimsky, is going insane.
Rocky appears to be getting the upper hand, and Drago's face becomes more maniacal.
As if a button for computerized frenzy has been pushed, Drago unleashes a violent fist-storm that sends Rocky reeling backwards and into a corner. Rocky is dropped again. Rocky shakes it off and rises to face Drago.
Adrian moves to Paulie.
Rocky nods he's all right to his corner.
Rimsky is very incensed at Rocky's resiliency.
Drago flushes with embarrassment.
Drago charges and rains blow after blow on Rocky and several times Rocky's knees buckle. When all appears lost, the BELL RINGS.
Drago glares at Rocky with undiluted hatred.
The audience starts a groaning CHANT, repeating Drago's name over and over with mounting intensity.
Paulie and Duke guide him to his seat.
Rimsky stands directly in front of Drago as the corner- men attend the fighter... Dialogue is SUBTITLED.
Drago nods and stares across the ring at Rocky.
Adrian sits on the edge of her chair, lost in a vortex of confusion. She starts to rise; reconsiders, then resits... The BELL RINGS.
The audience's CHANT continues to mount.
Rocky fires out of his corner with renewed energy!
Rocky explodes into Drago's body with both fists pound- ing like rampaging pistons... Drago is startled and moves backwards.
All the high-ranking officials' faces show concern...
Rocky slips Drago's countering lethal jabs and continues his blistering pace... The audience is angry and VOCAL.
Adrian looks revitalized.
Rocky tries to bull ahead, but Drago holds him off with a painful straight right hand. Rocky wades through its concisive force and maintains his assault.
Rocky Jr. and group. The kids are jumping up and down.
Rocky continues to fight like a mongoose against a cobra. He lunges forward with a single violent combination, then leaps back before Drago can effectively counter.
Paulie is ecstatic.
The majority of the audience is standing and JEERING.
Rocky's attack is suddenly halted by a frenzied counter attack that has Rocky stunned and reeling backwards... The crowd CHEERS. Though stunned, Rocky halts his back- ward momentum and tears back into the Russian.
Drago's force is seen in all its terrifying agility as he nearly decapitates Rocky with a series of ring-hand bombs.
Adrian cringes in [illegible in source scan: PDF page 97, printed page 95].
Though very hurt, Rocky stays with the vicious Russian, staggering, swaying, bouncing off the ropes, but taking the big man's best.
Rocky catches the Soviet with a sledgehammer punch that cuts Drago over the eye. Drago touches the blood and goes berserk. The Russian continues to rain punch after punch on Rocky, but the Italian refuses to buckle... The carnage is finally stopped by the BELL.
Drago's expression is serious. His chest heaves from ex- pended energy.
Drago starts to move away.
The huge fighter glares over his shoulder as he heads to his corner.
The Russian tenses, and Rocky heads for his corner... The crowd is ECSTATIC over the competitiveness.
Rocky sits as Duke tends to his cut.
Rocky glances over at Adrian and nods that everything is all right.
Rimsky and the cornermen are attending the fighter.
Rocky stares across the ring at Drago and nods... The BELL RINGS.
What begins is an extremely dramatic MONTAGE depicting an epic back and forth battle between the two rivals ... The insanity of the crowd who is slowly being won over by Rocky, who is displaying impossible courage by withstanding thunderous assaults and coming back for more.
... Between rounds it is apparent that Drago's confi- dence is waning as reflected in his rapidly swelling face.
... By contrast, Rocky's savaged face radiates an un- shakable confidence, as if drawing from some bottomless spiritual well.
The Russian Premier and his delegation are becoming ex- pressly concerned.
Adrian watches this nightmare unfolding with great inner strength.
Paulie is frenzied, devoted and demonic in his desire to cheer Rocky on to new highs in battle.
The rounds continue to slip by until we arrive at the fourteenth... Both men are on the verge of collapse. Rocky continues to stand with Drago, but suddenly Drago catches Rocky with a mighty right hand, and Rocky stag- gers back. Drago senses the kill and, with total abun- dance, bombs Rocky until the slugger is pounded to the canvas.
Rocky looks up with glazed eyes as Drago glares down at him through badly swollen eyes.
He looks over at his corner at Paulie and Duke who are nearly out of focus... The SOUND of the REFEREE fills his head.
Rocky rises to his feet and, without hesitation, charges after Drago and actually has the giant backing up in won- derment... The crowd is BERSERK... The round ends with Rocky beckoning for Drago to come ahead and fight more. Most of the Russian spectators stand and APPLAUD Rocky's gallantry.
Rocky is sitting as Duke immediately begins attending his wounds.
A CHANT begins. The audience is chanting Rocky's name.
Rimsky stands in front of his weary fighter. He is in- censed.
Rimsky smacks Drago across the face. Drago rises and grabs Rimsky by the throat and glares at him with death in his eyes. Then he glares at the crowd. Then, re- leasing Rimsky, faces Rocky.
Rimsky gives Koloff a look of frustration.
Duke and Paulie are attending Rocky. The Referee comes over.
Adrian comes up and yells Rocky's name.
Rocky turns his bruised face to look down at her.
Duke stands behind Rocky as he rises to face the bell.
The Soviet Premier and his delegation redden as the THUN- DEROUS CHANTING REVERBERATES throughout the arena.
The BELL RINGS, and the fighters move to the center of the ring and begrudgingly touch gloves.
Rocky Jr. and friends.
The crowd's chanting begins to die down as the fight seems to be shifting in Drago's favor.
Rocky continues to take the unanswered punch from the Russian behemoth.
The Soviet Premier and group seem overtly satisfied by Drago's command of the fight.
Adrian is on her feet.
Rocky Jr. and crowd.
The crowd is beginning to JEER and WHISTLE, but out of it the CHANT BEGINS.
Rocky continues to bore straight ahead and glare into Drago's cruel but concerned expression.
Rocky suddenly explodes off his feet and sends a sledge- hammer right hook into Drago's jaw... The Russian is reeling backwards.
Rocky is on him like a cat.
Rocky, Jr. and his three friends.
Rocky whips punch after punch into Drago's mid-section...
Drago manages to turn Rocky into the corner and bombard him with bone-crushing punches...
Rocky fights his way out into the center of the ring. Drago stuns Rocky and nearly drops him; Rocky holds on and, digging deep into his soul, fights back.
The audience is going absolutely insane... Adrian is al- so chanting "Rocky."
Rocky slams Drago, who returns the punishment with equal intensity.
But Rocky starts digging into the man's mid-section. Blow after blow into Drago's ribs cause the Russian to begin buckling.
Rocky Jr. and friends.
Drago is in serious trouble and falls against the ropes as Rocky begins to rain holy hell on him.
Drago fights back with his remaining strength and backs Rocky to the center of the ring... With his remaining strength, Rocky lunges up and catches Drago squarely on the jaw, reeling him backward, another lunge and Drago collides with the rope; a third hook and the Soviet giant tumbles through the ringside press corps.
The arena EXPLODES and the Premier and his group uncere- moniously depart.
Rimsky drops his towel in disgust and walks away as the crowd begins to rush past him and into the ring.
Adrian is swept up by the crowd as she gropes towards the ring.
Rocky Jr. and his friends are leaping insanely all over the furniture.
Paulie and Duke make their way to Rocky and hug him.
Rocky hugs them.
Paulie pulls an American flag out of a paper bag and shakes it loose.
Adrian makes her way past the massive crowd that now surrounds Rocky.
She kisses him as Paulie drapes the American flag over his shoulders.
The crowd suddenly lifts the American to their shoul- ders and there, wrapped in Red, White and Blue, with the giant Soviet flag in the b.g., Rocky Balboa is truly the champion of the world.
THE END