Discuss Rocky IV
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Rocky getting the blame for Apollo's death for not throwing in the towel
posted by RCH2288STAFFMOD on October 2, 2018 at 3:59 PM
Upon my umpteenth viewing of this film, Duke is imploring Rocky to throw in the towel when Drago is pummeling him. But right before that happens, the ref tries to step in and stop the fight. Drago pushes the ref away violently, then continues to beat Apollo, the ref steps back into the action and just watches again. Rocky is holding up the towel and pauses as Apollo tells him no before landing that final blow. My question is, What good would it have done to throw in the towel, if a second before the ref tried stopping the fight and then Drago shoved ref away? Rocky always got a bad rap for this. And Duke, also should have stopped Apollo from even getting off the stool for the 2nd round.
Reply by jorgito2001
on October 3, 2018 at 10:38 AM
I never really thought throughout the ORIGINAL series that Rocky took the full on blame for his death, Apollo was a grown man and pushed for the fight, it was more his own fault then Rocky's.
It did seem Apollo's pride would've been damaged beyond repair had he lived. Kinda like Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump. Even getting pummeled he had time to yell out "no!"...I mean come on!
The beauty of your post is it looks like Creed II is going to touch more on this subject matter. In the trailer there's even an exchange:
Rocky Balboa: In the ring, you got rules. Outside, you got nothing. Life hits you with all these cheap shots. People like me, we live in the past. You got people that need you now. You got everything to lose, this guy has got nothing to lose.
Adonis Johnson: I ain't gotta choice.
Rocky Balboa: That's the same thing your father said, and he died right here..in my HANDS!
Powerful stuff...can't wait!
Reply by RCH2288
on October 3, 2018 at 11:23 AM
yeah.....the 2nd trailer gave me the chills. to add on to your quote, when Rocky said to Adonis "He broke things in me that ain't ever been fixed" Ain't that the truth
Reply by Dark_Sithlord
on October 3, 2018 at 12:13 PM
I couldn't agree more. As if Drago would have stopped if Rocky had thrown in the towel. Drago was there to prove a point...it was personal and nothing was going to stop him. Certainly not a ref or a towel.