Alternative
53:42-53:52 / 63:53-66:51

Paulie is seen strolling through the alleys earlier in the Director's Cut. Rocky joins him and Paulie tearfully wonders why he worked for 31 years at his now lost job. He says he hasn't really achieved anything in life and wonders why Adrian died but he's still here. She would have been everything in his life, now he only has Rocky. Rocky would do anything for him, but he still treats him badly. Rocky reassures him that Paulie is still his (crazy) best friend.

Paulie asks if he could move back in with Rocky. Rocky agrees, but asks about his girlfriend - which is somewhat irritating because, as shown in the appendix, another deleted scene does not appear in the Director's Cut to explain this. Paulie's girlfriend picks up his things from Rocky's apartment and says that he is now living with her. Since Paulie was seen sleeping in Rocky's next room in the very first extension, one could at least assume that Paulie had already lived with Rocky before. Paulie replies that if he already feels lonely, he'd rather do it with Rocky. Besides, his girlfriend snores. They both laugh and Rocky says that of course he could move back in. They hug each other.

In the theatrical version, there are different shots to introduce the rest of the scene contained within. They greet each other in alternate takes (“Yo, Paulie.” - “Rock.”)

Director's cut 167.9 sec (= 2:48 min) longer


The rest of the scene is basically identical, but different takes were used when Rocky is shown at the beginning. The shots of Paulie are also insignificantly different several times at the beginning/end. In addition, Rocky only says “Thanks, Paulie” in response to Paulie's “It takes guts” statement in the director's cut.

Director's Cut 5.4 sec longer

Theatrical version	Director's Cut

Alternative
54:21-54:39 / 67:25-67:46

How Rocky is then made aware by Marie of the two guests inside, who want to talk to him, is shown in the alternate version. Only in the Director's Cut does Rocky mention that Paulie is moving in with him and she is briefly happy about it.

Director's Cut 2.3 sec longer

Theatrical version	Director's Cut

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Alternate
64:48-65:07 / 77:55-78:02

At the end of the conversation between Rocky and Robert, there is a different take of the latter. In the DC, he walks away in the same shot, while in theatrical version this happens in an additional shot. There is also a smooth fade to the scene in the cemetery, which offers an additional long shot and a closer shot of Rocky compared to the DC.

Theatrical version 12.1 sec longer .

Theatrical version	Director's Cut

65:07 / 78:02-79:55

Before things continue in the DC at the cemetery, however, we see a sparring session with Rocky. It doesn't look very convincing, Marie and Steps look on and grimace from time to time. Paulie talks to him briefly, with Rocky saying that even the old dog is better than him. Paulie reassures him and promises that Duke will try new approaches with him tomorrow; “Good bright ideas. New way of thinking.”
Marie asks Paulie what's wrong and he says that Rocky thinks too much - possibly because of her. Marie clearly tells him that whatever he's thinking is wrong. Rocky takes a few last steps.

112.9 sec (= 1:53 min)

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Now a few comments on the deleted scenes from the bonus material on the old DVD/Blu-ray. There are always unimportant mini deviations at the beginning/end of shots and the score and color grading were obviously not yet final. The director's cut now shows them neatly aligned with the rest of the film. Exemplary:

Deleted Scenes	Director's Cut (HDR -> SDR via Tone Mapping)

The following small differences can still be discovered.

* Breakfast with sleeping Paulie: When Rocky goes for dessert next to Paulie, he pulls out another photo here in close-up, in which Paulie's head is pasted over Rocky's and Apollo's face was strangely blurred. This close-up was removed from the DC, but the middle section from the medium shot was missing from the deleted scenes.

Deleted Scenes	Director's Cut

* Alternate bar scene (introduction by Marie): When Rocky comes to the old owner, the Deleted Scenes had a first shot of him being wheeled down to his legs or wheelchair. Seems a bit bumpy here. There are also some different cuts to the other people present in the bar and the way Angie scolds Rocky is edited a little differently (bumpier). The last shot of Marie is again longer in the DC.

* Paulie's girlfriend: The entire scene in which Rocky meets Paulie's girlfriend, who is packing his things, was not included in the DC. However, it does appear selectable in the bonus material of the 4K Blu-ray. Rocky comes home here and she explains that Paulie has given her the key and asked her to collect his things, as Paulie is now moving in with her. Rocky is visibly surprised, but tries not to let on and, after a moment's hesitation, carries a box after her.

Finally, the alternative ending should be mentioned briefly, which is also individually selectable in the bonus material of the 4K Blu-ray. Immediately after the end of the fight, you remain in the ring throughout and Rocky appears much fresher than in theatrical version/director's cut, accompanied by heroic music. Here, too, there is a split decision, but it is in Rocky's favor. Dixon is naturally crestfallen and Rocky celebrates to chants from the audience. In the following interview, Dixon is humble and impressed by Rocky. He says that we should respect our elders and that his main insight today was that nothing is over until it's over. Rocky celebrates again to heroic music and the image blurs as he shakes hands with a spectator. All in all, an unrealistic and corny conclusion that thankfully wasn't adopted for the DC.