Rocky IV

Soviet fighter Ivan Drago arrives in the U.S. billed as a machine. Retired Apollo Creed challenges him to an exhibition in Las Vegas, with Rocky in his corner. Drago crushes Apollo, who forbids Rocky to throw in the towel, and Apollo dies in the ring. Drago only says, "If he dies, he dies." Rocky gives up his title to fight Drago in Moscow on Christmas, outside any sanctioning. He trains on a frozen farm, chopping wood and running through snow, while Drago uses a lab and steroids. Adrian shows up to back him. Rocky takes a pounding but cuts Drago and hangs on, and the Russian crowd turns to his side. In the 15th round Rocky knocks Drago out and gives a speech: if they can change, everybody can change.

1. Behind the scenesStallone ended up in the ICU

   Stallone and Dolph Lundgren threw real punches in the early fight scenes. One blow to the chest put Stallone in intensive care for eight days.

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2. CameoJames Brown at Apollo's party

   James Brown performs "Living in America" for Apollo's entrance in Las Vegas, complete with showgirls and plenty of flags.

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3. Behind the scenesSiberia is in Wyoming

   The Soviet snow was shot in Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. The Moscow arena was the Agrodome in Vancouver.

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4. Behind the scenesPaulie's robot was real

   The SICO robot was built by International Robotics and had been used in therapy with Stallone's son Seargeoh. It was cut from the 2021 director's cut, Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago.

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