"Why do you want to fight?" asks the characteristically concerned pessimist, Adrian, played by Talia Shire. Rocky thinks for a second, wondering about the right thing to say, and then nails it: "Because I can't sing or dance."

It's the stuff biopics are carved out of: A struggling actor who does soft-porn movies for a living writes a boxing movie and refuses to sell the script to anyone who doesn't cast him in the lead. After much strife, one does, the film wins 2 Oscar Awards -- including Best Picture, beating out Taxi Driver and Network in the process -- and becomes the actor's crowning achievement. Forever.

Rocky is a film about grit and glory, romance and recognition, drive and dreams. A sensitively handled story of young boxer Rocky Balboa, this is a film that balances humour and genuine warmth with a tender romance, all the while leading up to authentically styled action from the squared circle. And, as cinema today needs to understand, it's not all about winning.

And then there's Bill Conti's immortal theme, Gotta Fly Now.

Rocky, of course. Yo, who else could have been champ?

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