Toronto Awards Analysis: ‘I Play Rocky’ Channels Namesake, Could Follow in Its Oscar Footsteps

Exactly a half-century ago, in the year of the American bicentennial, a low-profile film — the story of a small-time boxer who, against all odds, went the distance against the champ — became a gigantic hit and ended up vanquishing the likes of All the President’s Men , Network and Taxi Driver to win the best picture Oscar.

That film was John G.

Avildsen’s Rocky , which was written by and starred Sylvester Stallone .