To prepare for the match, Drago uses high-tech equipment, a team of trainers and doctors monitoring his every movement, and regular doses of anabolic steroids. Duke opens up to Rocky, stating that he actually raised Apollo and that his death felt like a father losing his son, and expresses his faith in Rocky that he will emerge victorious. Rocky travels to the Soviet Union without his wife Adrian due to her disapproval of the match, setting up his training base in a remote cabin in Krasnogourbinsk with only Duke and Paulie to accompany him. Drago's camp agrees to an unsanctioned 15-round fight in the Soviet Union on Christmas Day, an arrangement meant to protect Drago from the threats of violence he has been receiving in the United States. In the aftermath, Drago displays no sense of contrition, commenting to the assembled media: "If he dies, he dies."įrustrated by the Soviets' cold indifference, Rocky decides to challenge Drago himself, but has to surrender his championship to do so. Rocky honors Apollo's wishes, which allows Drago to beat Apollo to death in the ring. By the end of the first round, Rocky and Apollo's trainer, Duke, plead with him to stop the match, but Apollo refuses to do so and tells Rocky to not stop the match "no matter what." Drago continues to pummel him in the second round and Duke begs Rocky to throw in the towel. The bout starts tamely with Apollo landing several punches that are ineffective against Drago, but Drago suddenly retaliates with devastating effects. Apollo enters the ring in an over-the-top patriotic entrance with James Brown performing " Living in America" complete with showgirls. The boxing exhibition takes place at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Rocky has reservations but agrees to help train Apollo for the match.ĭuring a press conference regarding the match, hostility sparks between Apollo's and Drago's respective camps.
Motivated by patriotism and an innate desire to prove himself, former heavyweight champion Apollo Creed challenges Drago to an exhibition bout. His manager, Nicolai Koloff, takes every opportunity to promote Drago's athleticism as a hallmark of Soviet superiority. In 1985, Soviet boxer Ivan Drago arrives in the United States with his wife, Ludmilla, a Soviet swimmer, and a team of trainers from the Soviet Union and Cuba. The sequel, Rocky V, was released in 1990. In 2021, a director's cut was released with the title Rocky IV: Rocky vs Drago, receiving positive reviews from critics. Despite its reception, the film was a box office success, grossing $300 million worldwide, becoming the highest grossing film in the franchise and the third highest grossing film of 1985. However, there was some praise for Drago's credibility as a villain. The film received mixed to negative reviews, with criticism for its predictable screenplay and Cold War themes, which some critics deemed as propaganda and facilitating negative portrayals of Russians. Rocky IV premiered in Los Angeles on November 21, 1985, and was theatrically released in the United States by MGM/UA on November 27. Rocky IV is known for its strong Cold War themes, and for its successful theme songs " Burning Heart" and " Living in America". Filming also featured new special effects and bona fide and groundbreaking sport methods and equipment, some of which were years removed from public use. Stallone and Ludgren engaged in authentic punching in their fight, which led to Stallone being admitted to intensive care. Principal photography began in 1984, with filming locations including Philadelphia, Wyoming, and Vancouver. Rocky IV was Dolph Lundgren's first American film debut, and Stallone's last directorial effort until 2006.ĭevelopment for a fourth Rocky film began soon after the success of Rocky III, which faced controversy after it was subject to a copyright lawsuit. In the film, Rocky Balboa (Stallone) fights Ivan Drago (Lundgren), a Soviet boxer responsible for causing a personal tragedy. It also stars Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Brigitte Nielsen, and Dolph Lundgren. It is the sequel to Rocky III (1982) and is the fourth installment in the Rocky franchise.
Rocky IV is a 1985 American sports drama film starring and directed by Sylvester Stallone, who also wrote.
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