I Watch Films: Rocky III

 Rocky III

At the end of Rocky II, Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) defeats Apollo Creed and becomes heavyweight boxing champion of the world. His previous problems seem to have been overcome; growing into the role he now appears in adverts, gets sponsorships, has success and popularity and his relationship with his wife is blossoming. He’s defended his title several times. However Clubber Lang (Mr T) a powerful, driven and dangerous young boxer is rising through the ranks, and follows Rocky’s fights closely – even his ridiculous charity boxing versus wrestling bout against Thunderlips, The Ultimate Male (Hulk Hogan).

At the unveiling of the Rocky Statue at the top of the Rocky Steps outside the Philadelphia Museum Of Art* Rocky tries to retire, but he’s publicly challenged by Clubber Lang. Lang insults him, suggests his opponents have not been real challengers, also suggests that if Rocky’s wife Adrien wants a real man she should leave Rocky and come home with Lang**. Rocky confronts Mickey his trainer (and manager I guess) (Burgess Meredith), about the opponents, he’s actually fairly secure about his marriage. Or maybe not, I guess I’m going to have to come back to that.

The point is, Mickey’s been handpicking opponents, good fighters but ones that don’t have the power – the hunger – to give him a fight like Apollo, one that might aggravate his injuries. Rocky agrees to fight Lang, convinces Mickey to train him. But Rocky doesn’t take it seriously, he has the press and the public at his training sessions, there’s artwork, distractions. Before the fight there’s trouble backstage and Mickey has a heart attack. Rocky tries to postpone the fight; doesn’t, is beaten and Mickey dies.

Depressed, Rocky meets with Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). Apollo convinces him to have another fight with Lang, takes him out to Los Angeles and his old gym, agrees to train Rocky in return for a favour. Rocky’s distracted, can’t get over Mickey’s death, blames himself, can’t pull himself together. Apollo tries to teach Rocky to box more like he does, stylishly, more footwork (one of Apollo’s many aliases is The Dancing Destroyer). Eventually, with the help of Adrien to centre him, fixing their marriage to fix his boxing, Rocky pulls himself together, gets into the best shape of his life.

Rocky, it’s clear, is a film series about men who are compelled to get into the boxing ring. More than that though, the virtues are endurance, ability to take the punches, and also willingness to change your style to meet your circumstances (and opponent). These are what will sustain you in the ring, and also in life, in good times and in bad. Lang knows about the bad times, bringing himself up on his own. Rocky was gifted an opportunity, and then kept there by the protection of others; and when he climbs back up, he does so with the help of those he’s met along the way.

Watch This: A film about boxing, grief, masculinity and picking yourself up after getting knocked down
Don’t Watch This: All the Rocky films are about being knocked down then getting up again (into the ring)

* An iconic location where Rocky’s training runs/montages end on more than one occasion in the films. The statue itself is not where it is in the films because Rocky isn’t real, and not actually Philadelphia’s most beloved son.

** Compare Creed III where sports presenter Stephen Silver describes the aspersions being laid on Adonis.