Rocky Anthology (5 Disk Box Set) - Region 2 [DVD]

The story of Rocky Balboa, as presented in this five-movie Rocky anthology, looks suspiciously like a barely fictional parallel to Sylvester Stallone's own career. Such a strong vein of autobiography is hardly surprising, really, since Stallone wrote all five movies and directed II, III and IV. The original was a feel-good patriotic update on the American Dream, mirroring Stallone's own journey as a lucky break drags a man from the gutter into stardom; Rocky II was the story of a man who is subsequently plagued by the need to prove that his first success wasn't a fluke, and represented Stallone's attempt to keep his career afloat amidst a sudden explosion of blockbuster movies and superstar actors; the third featured a rival to his position echoing the friendly battle kept up with Schwarzenegger for box-office dominance; Rocky IV appeared at the same time as Rambo: First Blood Part II and was a veritable shower of self-glorification; and the fifth entered old age as gracefully as it could with younger blood ready to pounce from all directions. Balboa may have been "a little punchy", but Stallone was clearly the brains behind the Rockymovies' success.

On the DVD: For picture and sound, it's to the first disc connoisseurs should turn. Transfer and 5.1 soundtrack are a notch above instalments III and IV. Inexplicably, II and V are only in three-channel surround. Disc 1 is also the place for the extras. Although the others feature their own trailer and a half-heartedly animated menu, the first has a montage menu that matches the excellent packaging and links rather easily to a hidden feature ("Rocky Meets Stallone"). There's a fascinating 12-minute "behind the scenes" short with director John Avildsen showing fight test footage and two short tributes to the late Burgess Meredith and cinematographer James Crabe. The commentary might seem a little crowded, featuring Avildsen, producers Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff, Talia Shire, Burt Young and Carl Weathers. The best feature is a 30-minute interview with Stallone, who remembers writing from an 8x9 room in Philadelphia and being inspired by an Ali fight. There are confessions about injuries, casting and his dog Butkus! As a 25th Anniversary special edition, the first disc alone is excellent value. --Paul Tonks

DVD Special Features
Remastered with 5.1 Audio
Audio Commentary with Director, Producer and Cast
Exclusive interview with Sylvester Stallone
"Behind the Scenes" Featurette with Director John Avidsen
Tribute to Burgess Meredith
Tribute to James Crabe
3 TV Spots
Teaser Trailer
Original Trailer for Rocky and Rocky II, III, IV and V
Special Hidden Feature
Collectable Booklet

Rocky Subtitles: English, Portuguese, Dutch, Polish, Swedish, Greek, Finnish, Hungarian, Norwegian, Hebrew, Danish, Turkish

Rocky II, III, IV, V Subtitles: English, Norwegian, German, Danish, French, Portuguese, Italian, Polish, Spanish, Hungarian, Dutch, Greek, Swedish, Turkish, Finnish, Hebrew

From the boxing clubs of the backstreets, to the summit of his sport; from unknown fighter, to symbol of American defiance--Rocky is a hero of his age, and his story, an epic tale for our times.

For the first time, these five films--the story of one man's fight for supremacy--are brought together in this, the 25th anniversary collection of a great movie. But despite the brute strength that shines in the white heat of the fight Rocky is also a love story--the man of action, beset by anxiety, yet sustained by love.

A treasure trove for the collector and film aficionado, this unique special edition brings together a compelling array of special features--taking you behind the scenes; into the mind of the director, John Avildsen; and into the world of legendary movie greats, such as Burgess Meredith-- who will long be remembered for a lifetime of achievement.

Rocky a name that will live in movie history.