AFI 100 Years, 100 Movies: No. 59


Back in 1998, the American Film Institute unveiled its list of the 100 greatest films as voted on by members of the cinematic community. The year, I'm looking at the films on that list, re-ranked according to my preference. Check back Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year as we walk through this list of classic films.

Rocky: Ah come on, Adrian, it's true. I was nobody. But that don't matter either, you know? 'Cause I was thinkin', it really don't matter if I lose this fight. It really don't matter if this guy opens my head, either. 'Cause all I wanna do is go the distance. Nobody's ever gone the distance with Creed, and if I can go that distance, you see, and that bell rings and I'm still standin', I'm gonna know for the first time in my life, see, that I weren't just another bum from the neighborhood.

Rocky (1976)
Original List Position: 78
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Carl Weathers, Burgess Meredith, and Talia Shire
Director: John G. Avildsen
About: This is a film that I have ranked higher than the original list. But when it was re-done in 2007, this film jumped all the way up to 57. It makes sense because this is a classic that continues to endure with audiences. It's the ultimate underdog story. It's a sports story. It's a story of the little guy making it, which feels like the American Dream. And that's not just in the film, but in the making of the film itself. Stallone had to fight tooth and nail to get to star in the film, and it certainly helped make his career. It won Best Picture, and while I don't know if it was the right choice in a talented field of films, it certainly has earned its place in American history.

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