Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) has retired from boxing after his close match with Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). He is now married to Adrian (Talia Shire) and they are expecting their first child. However, Rocky is struggling to adjust to life outside of the ring. He is working as a debt collector, but he is not making much money.
Meanwhile, Apollo Creed is not satisfied with the outcome of his match with Rocky. He wants a rematch to prove that he is the better fighter. Apollo challenges Rocky to a second fight, and Rocky reluctantly agrees.
Rocky begins training for the rematch, but he is not as motivated as he was for the first fight. He is worried about his wife and his unborn child. However, he knows that he cannot let Apollo down.
The rematch is a brutal fight, and both Rocky and Apollo are seriously injured. In the end, Rocky wins the fight by a split decision. He has proven that he is the champion, and he has earned the respect of Apollo Creed.
Rocky II is a story about the importance of family, the power of determination, and the never-give-up spirit. It is a classic film that has inspired people around the world.
Cast
- Sylvester Stallone as Robert "Rocky" Balboa, "The Italian Stallion": the underdog who was given one chance at winning the heavyweight championship from Apollo Creed in the first film. Due to the public's belief that it was very possible that Rocky could have won, he gets a second shot at the title in this film.
- Talia Shire as Adrian Balboa: Rocky's love interest-turned-wife. During labor, with their first son, she enters a coma for a large portion of the film.
- Burt Young as Paulie Pennino: Rocky's best-friend-turned-brother-in-law
- Carl Weathers as Apollo Creed: The current world heavyweight champion who gave Rocky a shot at the title in the first film, during which he won by split-decision. Because of the close outcome of the fight the general public believes that Apollo did not necessarily win, and thus he gives Rocky a second chance in a rematch.
- Burgess Meredith as Michael "Mickey" Goldmill: Rocky's friend, manager and trainer; a former bantamweight fighter from the 1920s and the owner of the local boxing gym.
- Tony Burton as Tony "Duke" Evers: Apollo's father-figure, friend, trainer, and manager.
- Sylvia Meals as Mary Anne Creed: Apollo Creed's wife.
- Seargeoh Stallone as Robert "Rocky" Balboa, Jr.: Rocky and Adrian's newborn child. Seargeoh appeared in the film uncredited.
- Paul Micale as Father Carmine: Rocky's priest.
- Joe Spinell as Tony Gazzo: loan shark and Rocky's former employer.
- Frank McRae as meat foreman.
Jeff Temkin portrays the ring announcer. Appearing as themselves are referee Lou Filippo and commentators Brent Musburger, Stu Nahan and Bill Baldwin. LeRoy Neiman makes an uncredited non-speaking cameo appearance during the training scenes in the film; he is shown drawing a picture of Apollo while he is training.
Director: Sylvester Stallone
Writers: Sylvester Stallone
Box Office Gross: $85,187,855
Distributor: United Artists
Release Date: June 15, 1979