Today, MGM is releasing the Rocky Heavyweight Collection on Blu-ray, featuring all six entries in the classic franchise.  Directed by John G. Avilsdon, the series began in 1976 with the Oscar-winning Rocky, the story of a sensitive amateur boxer (Sylvester Stallone) from a tough Philadelphia neighbourhood training to fight heavyweight champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), while falling in love with the shy Adrian (Talia Shire).

Sylvester Stallone continued the franchise by directing himself in the sequels Rocky II (1979), Rocky III (1982) and Rocky IV (1985), before John G. Avilsdon returned to the director’s chair with Rocky V (1990).  The saga concluded with the triumphant return of the iconic character in Sylvester Stallone’s 2006 drama Rocky Balboa.  With a new master of the excellent and timeless first film, the Rocky Heavyweight Collection is a nicely packaged set that is highly recommended for fans of the series.

The Blu-ray collection comes packed with bonus features, including the insightful Home Movies of Rocky with John G. Avilsdon, video commentary from Sylvester Stallone, multiple “behind the scenes” featurettes and more.

Rocky is 120 minutes, Rocky II is 119 minutes, Rocky III is 99 minutes, Rocky IV is 91 minutes and Rocky V is 104 minutes, all rated 14A.  Rocky Balboa is 102 minutes and rated PG.

-John Corrado