Rocky

Rocky Balboa is the Philadelphian icon who took on the world and won. The original "Italian Stallion," the gutsy fighter who rose above the odds to boxing glory, and a rags-to-riches legend in the business of making movies.

Ever since Sylvester Stallone unleashed his impassioned title character in 1976, the resilient fighter has earned his place in history as a symbol of tenacity and courage and a legend of cinematic success.The story of Rocky the movie is as exciting as that of its eponymous boxer.

Shot on a tight budget, with the virtually unknown Stallone writing the script as well as taking on the lead role, it became a surprise overnight sensation, generating millions in box-office revenues, notching up three Oscar wins, and transforming Stallone into a global star as an actor, writer, and director. The Rocky phenomenon developed into a franchise of six films, including Rocky Balboa in 2006.In collaboration with Sylvester Stallone and Amazon MGM, this tome brings you all the guts and all the glory of the complete Rocky story.

Copious images, including many on-set pictures from famed sports photographer Neil Leifer, come together with precious archival material from the Academy Library and Amazon MGM archive to reveal the making of an enduring action hero as much as a movie masterpiece. A foreword by Stallone and vintage interviews over the course of his career bring insight into the development of the hero and the franchise, as well as privileged access to the tenacity, spirit, and passion that characterized Rocky behind the scenes as much as on screen.

ROCKY, ROCKY BALBOA, and all related ROCKY Trademarks, Logos and Materials © 1976-2025 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About the Author

Since playing the title role in his own screenplay of Rocky, which won the Academy Award in 1976 for Best Picture, Sylvester Stallone has gained worldwide recognition with the Rocky, Rambo, and The Expendables franchises, and has worked as an actor, writer, director, and producer. Stallone is also an accomplished artist, completing paintings on canvas as well as sculpture work, and has been exhibited worldwide.

Paul Duncan is a film historian whose TASCHEN books include The Star Wars Archives, The James Bond Archives, The Charlie Chaplin Archives, The Godfather Family Album, Taxi Driver, Film Noir, and Horror Cinema, as well as publications on film directors, film genres, and movie stars.