By John Rizzo

Writer ~ Director ~ Actor

Sylvester Stallone is the best-known Italian American in the world. Most Americans probably don’t realize it, but Stallone is hugely popular in Europe, Asia and Australia. In some

places he’s more famous than in the United States. The award winning writer, director, producer and actor is mainly identified with his work in movies and television, but he is also one of those very rare individuals who have become a genuine cultural icon. That is, the influence of his work goes beyond mere entertainment. Recently, when interviewed during a NFL Monday night game in Philadelphia, he was asked why Rocky was so popular that it had to have five more incarnations over a span of 30 years. Then he responded, “It just took on a life of its own.” Now, in reflecting on the ongoing Rocky phenomenon, Stallone says “It changed my life for the better, knowing that it impacted positively millions of people’s lives.”

That may sound conceited, but it’s very true. Take the long-suffering fans of the Chicago Bears, for example. In 1977, the once dominant NFL franchise had been the league doormat for a long time. The fans were loyal, but they came to expect the Bears to lose one way or another. Then one Sunday during a commercial break, either the public address system or the live band began playing Bill Conti’s “Gonna Fly Now,” the theme from Rocky, and the song was played regularly once per game from then on. Almost from the first time this music was heard, in the northeast corner of the Soldier Field stands, some guy started dancing to the tune. He attracted quite a lot of attention because he was very portly, yet he danced gracefully for his size. As he moved to the rhythm, he repeatedly stretched his arms straight up and gazed towards heaven with an expression of utter supplication as if to say “Lord, if you did it for Rocky, you can do it for us underdogs!” There was definitely a clear connection made by the crowd between the fictional fighter and the Bears of ’77. Almost miraculously, the team made it into the playoffs that year. This season marked the beginning of the team’s resurgence that would culminate in the legendary ’85 Super Bowl Championship. In retrospect, it sure seems like Sylvester Stallone had something to do with it.

Given his incredible success, it is strange that Stallone has received such negative criticism, especially from the so-called “Razzie Awards.” This institution, founded by a failed movie hanger-on, John Wilson, has bestowed numerous negative awards on Stallone, like “Worst Actor,” in the past two decades. There is also the occasional reference to him on TV that implies that he is nothing more than an “Action Hero,” and thus should not be taken seriously. But the overwhelming positive response to his Rocky and Rambo characters demonstrate that he has tapped in to a

deep feeling of resentment among many that certain virtues, like courage, loyalty, patriotism and dedication are somehow out of place, unappreciated or even negative traits in today’s society. Given the politically correct climate that exists in so many areas of our civilization, it is perhaps not surprising that there are so many attempts to marginalize him.

Any truly serious appraisal of Stallone’s creative abilities, however, must find that he is in fact a genius, a talent of the first order. His creativity is most obviously apparent in his writing. After watching the Muhammad Ali-Chuck Wepner fight on March 24, 1974, Stallone was inspired and quickly wrote the screenplay that would make him famous. Just 27 at the time, Stallone had been putting much of his time into writing and had recently contributed some dialogue for the screenplay of The Lords of Flatbush. Ever since he had begun his show business career, Stallone had spent a lot of time reading and writing in between his all too rare acting jobs. Now all the time and effort paid off, as he promptly sold Rocky to United Artists producers Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler (who would produce other blockbusters such as Raging Bull and The Right Stuff). When Stallone approached them with the script, he made it clear that he wanted to star in the film. Although Chartoff and Winkler first thought of either Burt Reynolds or James Caan for the lead, they quickly agreed to cast Stallone. The story that the writer shopped his screenplay all over for a protracted time until someone would agree to his terms was false. The producers did not squelch the story, as they believed it played right in to the Rocky fantasy.

Rocky was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won three (Best Picture, Best Film Editing and Best Director). Nominated for Best Actor and Best Screenplay Writer, Sylvester Stallone was now a superstar. In his next role, as Johnny Kovac in F.I.S.T. (1978), he showed an impressive range of emotions as an actor. “This was based on Jimmy Hoffa, a hundred percent,” recalls Stallone. Both his screenplay and his acting are far more striking than the 1992 movie, Hoffa, with Jack Nicholson. If you carefully compare the two films, Stallone’s dialogue, credibility and personal appeal far outshine Nicholson, even though the latter is considered a more accomplished actor by many critics. What’s more, F.I.S.T. is a real work of art, a film drama, and a tragedy in the classic sense. Its characters are fully fleshed out, and its audience is gripped by the dramatic situations. Hoffa, on the other hand, is a sterile docudrama that evokes little feeling for its one-dimensional characters. With this accomplishment, Stallone now assumes the resemblance of an all around actor and polished writer, not just a cartoon-like “Action Hero.”

S

Summer 2008 2 AMICI /

Now successful at both writing and acting, Stallone turned his attention to directing. In the 1978 film, Paradise Alley, he showed that he could direct, but his Rocky II (1979) was the product of a virtuoso director. In this sequel to Rocky, Stallone not only directed himself in standard dramatic sequences, but also in rapid moving fight scenes. When asked how he directs himself, he responded, “I don’t know. You have to be totally committed to learning the dialogue...you have no time to think, so you have to be over-prepared and totally focused.” You’re not going to learn too much about self-direction from that statement, but it does reinforce the idea of genius as just doing something well without knowing how you do it!

Stallone’s next major creation was First Blood (1982) and the character of Special Forces Vietnam Vet John Rambo. With all that happened during the Vietnam War, there are not many Americans that do not revere the sacrifice and courage of all those that served their country in the Armed Forces. Yet the disappointing outcome of the conflict and unforgettable images of cowardly protestors spitting on returning veterans has made the war a difficult issue to contemplate. But Stallone’s John Rambo is not conceived as a loser, but as a winner, and all the millions of viewers root for him in every aspect of his epic battle with the pernicious sheriff Will Teasle, beautifully played by Brian Dennehy. Once again we perceive the imagination and tireless energy of a brilliant writer and actor who has been able to deeply touch the emotions of his audience.

Another test of an artist is the ability to practice his art repeatedly, pleasing a crowd over and over again. And here there is no question about Sylvester Stallone’s talent. As an actor, he has appeared in over 50 film and TV roles. He has written over 20 screenplays, including six Rocky films and four of First Blood. As a director he has directed six big time films including the very difficult dance tour de force with John Travolta, Staying Alive (1983). A considerable body of quality work to say the least, and it didn’t come easy.

Some printed sources say that his father, who became a hairdresser in America, was an immigrant at the age of six years old from Sicily, but Stallone says that his dad came from a small town near Bari. Born in New York City, he survived certain complications that left him with a slightly deformed lip that accounts for his characteristic slurred speech. But this may in fact be a blessing, reminiscent of Humphrey Bogart, who also suffered a childhood injury that resulted in a style of speech that became kind of a personal trademark.

Stallone’s family life was troubled, with frequent issues out of his control between his mom and dad. He moved often and lived in several homes. He was raised partly in Philadelphia where he attended Lincoln High School. In yet another example of how life imitates art, and an example of Stallone’s sentiment for his youth, despite its troubles, in Rocky III, a scene depicts the dedication of a statue of the fighter outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art, proudly donated by the city to recognize the achievements of its native son. The band playing in the movie for the ceremony is the actual Lincoln High School Band. Of course there really is a statue now of Rocky near the museum, whose front steps are now officially called “The Rocky Steps.”

“I was a rebel when I was young,” recalls Stallone, who would attend a few more high schools before graduating, after which he found himself at University of Miami in Florida, where he developed his interest in acting. At a point when he was very close to earning an undergraduate degree, he dropped out. When asked why when he was so close to finishing, Stallone said, “It was kind of a dare. The acting professor was saying that without a degree, you’d end up in the gutter.” We can be thankful that this typical know-it-all academic uttered this foolishness to a guy like Stallone, who was off to New York and, ultimately, glory.

Recently finishing a rousing and highly entertaining production of Rambo IV (2008), Stallone has a number of projects in front of him. None

of these is more intriguing than a film enterprise called Poe, about the early American poet. “I actually wrote the story back in 1970. I used to spend a lot of time at the New York Public Library while I was waiting to get acting jobs. I did a lot of research – he was reviled a lot, you know. I’ve been wanting to do it for a long time, but something always keeps coming up. Maybe I’ll never do it.” While it’s not surprising that he would have been attracted to such a subject in those days, it is interesting that the creator of Rocky and Rambo would take on this story now. There’s never really been an outstanding film of Edgar Allen Poe before, but it would not be surprising if Sylvester Stallone does one!

Unlike most Hollywood personalities, Sylvester Stallone has long been a staunch Republican. In a recent poll (probably a phony) of movie stars, he was the only one out of over 200 who claimed to be for John McCain for President. When asked why fellow conservative Bruce Willis was not also for the Arizona Senator, Stallone blurted, surprised, in his unique style, “He’s not?”

Sylvester Stallone thought of making his Rambo movie in Afghanistan or Iraq, however he felt this would be an insult to the troops, the brave men and women that are fighting for freedom. “How can anyone think a fictional character could change anything, or compare in the slightest with all they are doing” says Stallone. So poignantly put it is obvious that Sylvester Stallone is more than just an actor, he is a patriot in every sense of the word!

Sylvester Stallone Directed, and Stars in new Rambo Movie

Summer 2008 /AMICI 3