Most of us who grew up watching the Rocky films have our personal favorites of the series. For some, it’s the Academy Award-winning original. Others love the bombast of Rocky III, which featured Mr. T as Clubber Lang, Hulk Hogan’s “Thunderlips,” and (spoiler alert) the death of Rocky’s trainer Mickey. Some even love Rocky V. For many, though, the sweet spot in the Stallone-starring series is 1985’s Rocky IV.
The quintessential 80s movie, Rocky IV had it all: over-the-top musical numbers, the Cold War, 80s tech and fashion, an overindulgence in montages, and a killer soundtrack! It was so memorable that it even got its own sequel, 2018’s Creed II(essentially, Rocky IV Part II). What stands out most about the film, though, is its tremendous quotability. From the opening friendly fight between Rocky and Apollo Creed, all the way to the climactic fight between Rocky and Ivan Drago, the film is filled with fun phrases. Here then, in screen appearance order, are 10 Unforgettable Rocky IV Quotes.
“You Know, Stallion. It’s Too Bad We Gotta Get Old.”
So, technically, this quote comes from the final scene of Rocky III, a friendly fight between Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) and Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). But that scene is repeated in its entirety at the start of Rocky IV. It’s an outstanding quote that many of us can relate to. Time rolls on and we often have to learn the hard way that we simply cannot operate the way we once did. What used to work for us when we were younger no longer does as we age into our older years. For these two aging fighters, they are about to learn how true those words truly are.
“Whatever He Hits, He Destroys!”
In a press conference to introduce the visiting Russian pugilist, the undefeated Soviet soldier Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren), his manager Nicoli Koloff (Michael Pataki) touts the virtues of the six-foot-four-inch amateur champion nicknamed the “Siberian Express.” This press conference is followed by a demonstration of the mammoth Russian’s freakish strength. Amidst allegations of steroid use, which Koloff and Drago’s wife Ludmilla (Brigitte Nielsen) deny, Koloff presents Drago’s otherworldly punching power, which clocks in at an unheard of 1850 pounds of pressure per square inch. Koloff caps off the demonstration with the rather appropriate quote.
“Without Some Challenge, Without Some War To Fight, Then The Warrior May As Well Be Dead.”
Offended by the Russian’s attempt to come in and take what he helped establish, Apollo Creed confides in Balboa his intention to come out of retirement to fight Drago. Seeing the incredible challenge a fight with Drago would present, not to mention Creed’s five-year layoff from boxing and advanced age (for a boxer), Rocky does his best to dissuade Creed from taking the fight.
Being the prideful fighter that he is, Creed dismisses Rocky’s concerns and insists that he is indeed up for the challenge. But more than that, Creed needs the challenge to still find meaning in his existence.
“If He Dies, He Dies.”
Certainly, the most poignant moment of the film, and the entire Rocky/Creed series for that matter, comes at the conclusion of Creed’s battle with the man nicknamed “The Siberian Bull.” In a grand spectacle fitting of “The Count of Monte Fisto,” complete with Las Vegas dancers and a performance of “Livin’ in America” by funk legend James Brown, Creed quickly learns that Drago is not here for fun and games. After a hellacious beating that ends in a brutal second-round knockout, Creed lies motionless in the center of the ring, Rocky cradling his bloodied head in his arms as Drago utters those ice-cold words.
“You Have This Belief That This Country Is So Very Good And We Are So Very Bad.”
Following the tragic events of Creed-Drago, Rocky declares his intention of facing Ivan Drago in a non-title fight. For no money. On Christmas Day. In Russia. At a press conference announcing the fight, reporters are, rightly, perplexed at why Rocky would agree to these highly unusual stipulations. Drago’s wife, Ludmilla, explains that she fears for her husband’s life. She tells the press that her husband has received multiple death threats in the aftermath of Creed’s passing. She then goes on a diatribe about how Americans have treated her, her husband, and her countrymen. And she’s not entirely wrong.
“I’m The Unsilent Majority, Big Mouth!”
Ever the voice of the voiceless, Rocky’s brother-in-law Paulie (Burt Young) finally has enough at that same presser when Koloff insults America. “It’s all lies and false propaganda to support this violent and antagonistic government.”
Paulie is never one to bite his tongue, as evidenced throughout the Rocky franchise, but when the Russian diplomat has the temerity to accuse the American government of utilizing violent tactics while the USSR is presently under communist rule, he loses it. “Who am I? I’m the unsilent majority, big mouth!” The press conference ends shortly after.
“To Beat Me, He’s Gonna Have To Kill Me.”
Before embarking on another magnificent flashback montage in which he shifts the gears in his Lamborghini approximately 719 times, Rocky is confronted by his wife Adrian (Talia Shire) who expresses her fear and concern for Rocky in his upcoming clash with Drago. She doesn’t understand why he has to risk everything by taking this fight, why he can’t change. “You can’t win!” Rocky explains that he has to do this for Apollo and that, although he may not win, Drago will have to match his will to win. The full quote: “To beat me, he’s gonna have to kill me. And to kill me, he’s gonna have to have the heart to stand in front of me. And to do that, he’s gotta be willin’ to die himself. I don’t know if he’s ready to do that.”
“I Must Break You.”
After 29 more training montages (all great), we finally get to the super showdown between the two superpowers. As Rocky stands toe-to-toe with Drago inside the ring, it is more clear than ever the challenge that lay before him. Drago, now nicknamed “Death From Above” (yes, the man has almost as many monikers as Apollo Creed did), looks like he is chiseled in granite as he stares down the diminutive Rocky with a steely gaze that would crush most men. In a hostile environment, thousands of miles away from his Philadelphia home on Christmas Day, Rocky prepares to go to war with the man who killed his best friend in the ring. It is then that Drago warns the Italian Stallion (hey, Rocky has one too) of his ill intentions.
“Hit The One In The Middle.”
As the battle with Drago rages on, it becomes evident the toll that it is taking on Rocky. We would see the level of damage Rocky sustained in the opening moments of Rocky V as he uncontrollably trembles in the locker room following the fight. Rocky then segues into retirement (he would come out of it for a one-off exhibition fight with Mason “The Line” Dixon in 2006’s Rocky Balboa) and moves into a trainer role.
It is here in this fight that the heavy blows from Drago cause Rocky to suffer from blurred vision. “I see three of him out there,” Rocky tells Paulie and trainer Tony “Duke” Evers (Tony Burton). “Hit the one in the middle,” replies Paulie. “Yeah, hit the one in the middle!”
“If I Can Change…And You Can Change….Everybody Can Change.”
Not only does Rocky come into the fight with Drago a huge underdog, but he also faces a very hostile environment, with tens of thousands of Drago’s countrymen cheering him on. However, as the fight unfolds, the Russians begin to develop respect for Rocky’s will power and dogged determination. By the time they reach the late rounds, many of the Russians switch their allegiance and begin rooting for Balboa. Rocky, perhaps buoyed on by their support, scores a 15th-round knockout of the powerful Russian. Afterward, Rocky, draped in the American flag, gives an inspirational speech about uniting as a people and the power that change can bring.
