Awesome alternate version but nowhere near as good as the theatrical version. There are 40 mins of extra scenes that are a great addition but sky has also removed around 40 mins of footage from the theatrical that should never have been removed. Due to his changes there are now several continuity errors, where scenes don't belong and he has also cut most of Brigitte Nielsen's screen time. The flashbacks scenes belong in colour not black and white and the punches are now drowned out so they sound more realistic but I prefer the over the top sounds from the theatrical. Not as good as theatrical.
Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago - The Ultimate Director's Cut (2021 TV Special)
User Reviews
Review this title8 Reviews
Updated 80's classic
Movie_Beta2 October 2023
Rocky IV is one of those iconic films from the 80's and maybe even portrays the average persons vision of the Rocky character more even than the original movie. Here we have Stallone's 'Directors Cut' in an attempt to give an upto date or more complete version of this movie from his perspective.
Firstly, the picture has been restored superbly and I was noticing details that would pass you by in the original version. It really looks super clean and sharp.
Regarding content, Stallone seems to want to dial down the aspects that made it so 'iconic 80's' by removing the much derided robot scenes (as an example), as well as removing some of the dated accompanying score. Additions include vocalising some of the fighters thoughts during the epic showdown as well as giving the Drago character more focus.
Unfortunately it seems that the necessary scenes that Stallone desired for this cut were never shot, so it sometimes appears a struggle for him to portray what he wants from the available footage. There are some periods that seem to drag and the necessary emotions are not portrayed from the actors, or the added footage doesn't add value.
Overall a beautifully restored movie but somewhat flawed Directors Cut 7/10.
Firstly, the picture has been restored superbly and I was noticing details that would pass you by in the original version. It really looks super clean and sharp.
Regarding content, Stallone seems to want to dial down the aspects that made it so 'iconic 80's' by removing the much derided robot scenes (as an example), as well as removing some of the dated accompanying score. Additions include vocalising some of the fighters thoughts during the epic showdown as well as giving the Drago character more focus.
Unfortunately it seems that the necessary scenes that Stallone desired for this cut were never shot, so it sometimes appears a struggle for him to portray what he wants from the available footage. There are some periods that seem to drag and the necessary emotions are not portrayed from the actors, or the added footage doesn't add value.
Overall a beautifully restored movie but somewhat flawed Directors Cut 7/10.
Not sure this was needed
peter_winter-4288131 March 2023
As a long time fan of Rocky 4, I was awaiting this in anticipation.
I have to say, I really didn't see it as an improvement over the original at all. It was nice to see the extra scenes but I can see why they were originally cut from the theatrical release in 1987. It's mostly chit chat that's unimportant with a few extra but unimportant lines from Drago. Sly has also taken some of the gorgeous soundtrack by vince di cola away, which was disappointing. The 4k release offers a gorgeous picture which is something to note.
The directors cut felt ironically like a less complete film. It's still great but I prefer the original.
I have to say, I really didn't see it as an improvement over the original at all. It was nice to see the extra scenes but I can see why they were originally cut from the theatrical release in 1987. It's mostly chit chat that's unimportant with a few extra but unimportant lines from Drago. Sly has also taken some of the gorgeous soundtrack by vince di cola away, which was disappointing. The 4k release offers a gorgeous picture which is something to note.
The directors cut felt ironically like a less complete film. It's still great but I prefer the original.
Thank You
haymondjay24 June 2023
Thank you for making this updated version Sylvester Stallone. After watching this nostalgic film, you can sense Stallone wanted to make this version for years but due to circumstances, etc. He could not until 2021. Rocky Vs Drago adds new scenes, depth, dialogue and meaning. Personally it lines up better with the Rocky series. You witness the deep friendship between Apollo and Rocky. It's not just about the fight, it's their way of life.
This director's cut shares much more with subtle changes and edits. Still keeping some of those famous Rocky IV training scenes while adding depth. If you're a fan, you'll enjoy it. I certainly did.
This director's cut shares much more with subtle changes and edits. Still keeping some of those famous Rocky IV training scenes while adding depth. If you're a fan, you'll enjoy it. I certainly did.
No improvement.
mrglenngrant29 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I didn't even know this existed until I saw the behind the scenes documentary appear on Netflix.
As a real fan of Rocky IV I immediately sought this out and watched it. And ... meh.
I think it has positives and negatives over the first film. For example, the whole replaying of Rocky III at the start was a little unnecessary, I think ... but the removal of the stupid robot was definitely appreciated.
It was really good to see a different take on the movie ... with more time spent on the relationships between Rocky and Apollo and Adrian.
It said that there's 38 minutes of previously unseen footage ... but the film's still only 90 minutes or so long so they must have taken out a helluva lot.
I was expecting the music video driving montage to have been cut out but it wasn't. And the training montage seems pretty unchanged as far as I can tell.
The other thing that's not changed - and my biggest gripe with Rocky IV - is the lumbering style that Rocky has regressed into after transforming at the end of Rocky III into a nimble fighter with the help of Apollo. Annoys me so much.
All in all it's a different presentation for one of my favourite Rocky films ... but not sure it's that much of an improvement, if at all.
71/100.
As a real fan of Rocky IV I immediately sought this out and watched it. And ... meh.
I think it has positives and negatives over the first film. For example, the whole replaying of Rocky III at the start was a little unnecessary, I think ... but the removal of the stupid robot was definitely appreciated.
It was really good to see a different take on the movie ... with more time spent on the relationships between Rocky and Apollo and Adrian.
It said that there's 38 minutes of previously unseen footage ... but the film's still only 90 minutes or so long so they must have taken out a helluva lot.
I was expecting the music video driving montage to have been cut out but it wasn't. And the training montage seems pretty unchanged as far as I can tell.
The other thing that's not changed - and my biggest gripe with Rocky IV - is the lumbering style that Rocky has regressed into after transforming at the end of Rocky III into a nimble fighter with the help of Apollo. Annoys me so much.
All in all it's a different presentation for one of my favourite Rocky films ... but not sure it's that much of an improvement, if at all.
71/100.
The definitive Rocky IV
matthewlee-4723710 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
It's amazing what kind of magic can be worked on the floor of the editing room. I'm so glad Stallone put this masterpiece together. The story has been transformed from the weakest entry in the series (in my opinion) into one of the best by adding a depth to Rocky and Creed's relationship, de-jackass-ifying Rocky in the aftermath, and getting rid of that damned robot. Instead, the themes that are touched on in the original cut are much more fleshed out here. We understand the East v. West conflict a lot better, and the stakes of the fight. We understand Rocky's grief, and the motivations for both fighters to undertake the challenge of Drago (especially Creed). Overall superior in most ways, and well worth a watch.
Rocky 4 The Serious Cut
moviesareawayoflife17 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Rocky 4 was the highest grossing film in the Rocky series, and while not my favourite of the films a lot of fans have a soft spot for that one. When Sylvester Stallone announced he was doing a directors cut of the film i was immediately interested to see what that would look like. Tonally Sly has gone for a more serious aspect, getting rid of all the robot scenes and building up Adrian's scenes more which actually works quite well. The scene of Apollo and Rocky in the mansion garden is also a good addition. Also extended is Apollo's funeral with Duke (Tony Burton) giving an impassioned speech. The boxing matches also feel more realistic with sound effects dampened down and Apollo putting up more of a fight. Rocky's final speech is also less cheesy than the original. All that being said this version doesn't flow as well as the original cut. We have too much of Rocky 3 at the beginning and some of the newer scenes are quite short and feel like they should have been prolonged but i guess the material wasn't there to do this. The original Rocky 4 was a real adrenaline shot of a film fuelled by montages for the MTV generation, the directors cut just doesn't have the same fire. In conclusion i am glad we have the directors cut of the film because if you are in a more "serious" Rocky mood this may be the cut you put on, but ultimately for me personally the original just tops this version.
Better than the original.
Jamie_Shannon11 June 2023
The added conversation helps it become more of a Rocky movie than the first version which was more of a music video style film. A large chunk of Adrian's dialog is restored. The silly robot is gone. This chapter in the Rocky franchise always to me had an emptiness to it. A fight scene, music training sequence, and than a great fight scene. The main characters were not really there in the first version. The little bit of added Drago dialog helps also. The eighties had a few movies that had a long form music video feel to them. This Rocky was directly released in the center of the decade and in my opinion was one of the biggest examples of the trend. Its nice to see a better version released. Y.
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