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4K Ultimate Knockout Collection |
Comparison between theatrical version and the Director's Cut, both included on the Italian/American 4K Blu-ray from Universal / Warner Different versions and 4K chaos in the ROCKY seriesIn his later years, Sylvester Stallone once again had fun creating new versions of both his current and older films. Rambo and The Expendables were massively recut in the extended versions and in 2021 he (or his editing team) worked on Rocky IV again. “Rocky vs Drago“ was virtually a film in its own right, as documented in our extensive comparison/report.  The new cut is available individually and as part of a second 4K box set with parts 1-6. These “Ultimate Knockout” sets really only contain 4K discs and a Blu-ray with bonus material. There are also individual releases of part 6, but the Blu-ray included here only contains the theatrical version or the old disc in general. Parts 5+6 have no German audio tracks on the set we have from Italy (which is exactly identical to the US version). Parts 1-4 were previously released worldwide as 4K premieres in 2023. Annoyingly, the pitch problem of the German dubs for parts 2-4, which had been widely discussed in Germany since the first Blu-ray release, was not fixed in the first 4K box and new errors were produced: Part 4 had a scene in the wrong picture format, Part 1's original English mono sound was just a downmix of the 5.1 track and, curiously, the corrected soundtrack used on the remastered Blu-ray was not used for the German sound here, but again the one with the wrong pitch. At least international complaints were then conceded and replacement discs were produced for 1-4, which are now also included in the new 2024 complete box set. For those interested in the German dubs, however, this is a half-baked number. Parts 2+3 still sound unnecessarily flat and musty compared to the audio tracks available on VHS/Laserdisc/DVD, but at least they now have the correct pitch for all language options - because incredibly, all forgeign 4K audio tracks and even the English original audio for part 2 were messed up here in the 2023 release. But parts 1+4 still have the wrong German audio, which is clearly pitched too low. It's also a mystery why Rocky V is now the only part of the series to be given a BD-100 with just the film (~ 90GB) and looks correspondingly good, while the previous parts all clearly suffer from compression problems or have suboptimal encoding. It all remains a really frustrating release from MGM / Warner. But back to the actual topic... The differences in the director's cut of ROCKY BALBOASo is the 4K upgrade worth it in itself and especially for the new cut? For fans, this can certainly be answered in the affirmative with some reservations. The additional material makes the movie more complete and with just under two hours and plenty of time for character development on the side, you feel even more reminded of parts 1 and 2. In terms of quality, it is also an improvement, even if once again a little more care could have been taken with the encoding. The two versions are (as with part 4) are presented as individual film streams with only ~ 40GB each on the disc, although in this case, with only a few deviating passages, a higher bitrate conversion with seamless branching (on 4K: a playlist) would have been possible. This also immediately indicates that we are “only” dealing with longer scene additions in one go and not as many mini differences as in part 4, which made such a technical branching/playlis implementation virtually impossible.  Along with this, there are still a few differences to the theatrical version, as the transitions around additional material were often designed differently for continuity reasons alone or, for example, the alternative introduction of Marie naturally made the scene from the theatrical version obsolete. The fact that there are also a few alternative takes and moments not immortalized in the deleted scenes also shows that a little more effort was put into the version than simply inserting the leftovers from the editing room. The way Rocky talks about God at Adrian's grave is a completely new addition. On the other hand, not all the deleted scenes and especially not the alternative ending were used. Very reasonable decisions: The photo at Paulie's dessert was rather silly and we have briefly presented the alternative ending from the bonus material again in the appendix, but that in itself is better kept forgotten. Anyone expecting a version containing similar fundamentally new material as part 4 will probably be disappointed. For fans, however, and because the new Director's Cut is only being released in 4K as a supplement to the well-known theatrical version anyway, we can give it a recommendation. Running times are arranged as follows Theatrical version in 23.976fps / Director's Cut in 23.976fps
Alternative
03:24-03:55 / 03:24-05:24 The introductory scene with Rocky inside his apartment is edited differently and is much more detailed in the DC. It is implied here that Paulie is staying with him. In addition, the previously played “Take you back” only continues to play here during the scene. Described in more detail: In the theatrical version, Rocky turns on the lights, feeds his turtles and then throws some food for the birds out the window before closing it again.
In the Director's Cut, the very first shots of Rocky waking up are alternate and he's still holding his hands over his head. How he opens the window and throws out bird food can be seen here in a long take from a distant perspective. Rocky then prepares himself another breakfast, raw eggs included. This time, however, he throws up directly into the sink and shakes his head. Meanwhile, Paulie is asleep in the next room (or has obviously fallen asleep drunk). Rocky takes his bottle of schnapps off the bed and looks at a photo on the bedside table. He switches the light off again and leaves the room.
Director's Cut 89 sec (= 1:29 min) longer Alternative 10:57-11:01 / 12:26-15:20 In the theatrical version, Rocky is seen a little longer after his retelling of the story and there is a smooth fade to “Salud!” and the subsequent scene outside with Dixon (which begins a little earlier than in the DC).
In the Director's Cut, we switch instead to the waitress, who hears on the phone that Rocky's son Robert isn't coming to the restaurant tonight. She breaks the news to Rocky and although he doesn't let on in front of the guests, he's obviously not happy about it. The story continues with a late-night visit from Rocky to Paulie at the meat factory. He pretends to be responsible and a colleague briefly says to the two of them that Rocky has to wear a hairnet according to safety regulations - which he immediately does. Rocky wants “just good talking about the old days” and Paulie at his side. Paulie doesn't think that's a good idea and points to a picture he's drawing. He thinks it's depressing that they want to replace him after 31 years here. Paulie comments that Rocky simply can't live alone. This obviously affects Rocky a little. Paulie relents and says that he'll only go with him for a few hours though. They set off.
Director's Cut 170.3 sec (= 2:50 min) longer Alternative 11:37-12:11 / 15:56-16:19 Shortly afterwards, the theatrical version inserts again how the waitress hears on the phone that Robert is not coming to the restaurant tonight. Interestingly, however, this is an alternative take. Very similar in principle, but the emphasis and the camera angle (slightly closer in the theatrical version) differ from the scene previously shown in the DC. It fades to a shot of the streetcar at night. In the Director's Cut, Rocky can still be seen at the church where he married Adrian. He comments on this to Paulie, who is sitting in the car, and they drive off. We also switch to the shot of the streetcar at night, but it starts a little earlier. Theatrical version 11.1 sec longer
Alternative 16:51-19:55 / 20:59-24:59 Rocky enters the bar in the Director's Cut and is greeted by a number of people and proactively utters typical sayings such as “You guys are looking good”, while some of them look at him rather strangely. Rocky now talks to the old owner of the bar, who is now in a wheelchair. He talks about his diabetes and how he's not keen on people's pity. Rocky asks why the old place was torn down. The owner expresses his condolences for the deceased Adrian and Rocky says that she had “woman cancer”. They order something, which is the first time the waitress Marie speaks, mentioning that Rocky advised her to stop smoking as a child. Rocky remembers her “Screw you, creepo!” and realizes that good insults have a long-lasting effect - which Marie tries to defuse with a guilty conscience. Angie, who is obviously on drugs, joins them and rudely interrupts the conversation. She wants Rocky to buy her friends a round of beer. Rocky gives her similar tips as to young Marie and she reacts rudely. The owner says: “One second they like you, the next second you're a bum.” He says goodbye and tells Marie that he would like to close the bar when Rocky has finished drinking and that Rocky might be able to take her home. Rocky then suggests this to her and after a moment's hesitation she agrees.
In the theatrical version, viewers get to know Marie in a different way instead. The bar owner does not appear here at all and it is much quieter in the bar, so he talks to Marie right away at the bar. As Rocky sits alone with a beer, Marie says that she read about Adrian's death a few years ago. Rocky then mentions her “woman cancer” and the “Screw you, creepo!” dialog also occurs (with alternative takes). After Rocky's comment about insults, Angie immediately joins in and mobs Marie instead of the owner. Her begging for a round is also seen in alternate shots. An older woman then comes up to Marie and says that she is about to close the bar. Rocky then offers to walk Marie home on his own initiative.
Director's Cut 55.7 sec longer Alternative 32:43-32:44 / 37:47-42:55 In the theatrical version, there is a smooth transition to the scene in which Rocky and Steps choose a dog.
In the Director's Cut, the car drives a little longer and there is a fade to a scene with Rocky at Adrian's grave. Incidentally, this was not included in the deleted scenes of earlier releases. Rocky says here that he is indeed aware of her death, as he visits her grave, but somehow he still hopes that she will simply be waiting for him at home when he returns. He also says that the conversations with the boy have not yet been working out. Since she left, hardly anything has worked the way he imagined it would. As a result, he sometimes thinks that he hates God for it. Afterwards, Rocky talks to Steps about the importance of his own parents - something we already knew again from the deleted scenes. Steps wonders why no one is helping to unload the stuff and Rocky says that such physical labor is good for mental strength. In the past he would have deliberately put himself in uncomfortable situations, because in the ring you can make use of this mindset. Steps wants to know why Rocky calls his mother “Little Marie”. In response to the comment that he doesn't want to call her “Large”, Rocky emphasizes again that you should always treat your mother with respect. Rocky asks if he has heard from his father lately. Steps is a little evasive and Rocky talks about how he felt when his father left and his mother went “in a different direction”. Steps should appreciate that he has a mom who is there and loves him and not listen to, say, the shady guys on the corner. He himself would only have had “freak luck” back then, but you couldn't wait for that. Steps tries again to sort of stall the conversation and Rocky just asks if he likes dogs. This leads into them going to pick out dogs.
Director's Cut 307.1 sec (= 5:07 min) longer
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