2nd Viewing Thoughts: Rocky IV Director's Cut (One BIG Problem)

[@SeanChandlerTalksAbout]

I've seen the original so many times that I know every music cue and cut. Watching the directors cut is like listening to music where the drums are off beat from the rest of the band There's multiple additions I love, but I wish it was extended cut rather than a full recut.

[@DrumdumsXtra]

Same Sean. It might be one of my most watched movies ever.

[@leighkeane7770]

You should watch my version, I've changed back a lot of the changes Sly made

[@time2chill121]

Great explanation. I was going to say something similar, but you nailed it

[@ANJIN79SAMMA]

agreed when i saw it, I liked it, but it was too jarring! I know Rocky IV back to front inside out.

[@BACKTRACKCINEMA13]

Great video, and thanks for the shout-out! I'm almost in tears at Apollos' funeral in directors cut! I love Tony Burton and Sly in that moment. Talia Shire performance is amazing in directors cut!!

[@garymoviefan4294]

Lee, I actually thought it was 1000% better...One quick shot that sent shivers down my spine was the way Rocky looked at Drago during (not after) the Creed fight!

[@DrumdumsXtra]

There are definitely some chill inducing moments. I think the theatrical version is perfection, and has more of a Christmas spirit.

[@MarioFaker]

Humanizing Drago brings it more in line with Creed 2.

[@tjcarr8097]

I wish I had access to all of the footage to make my ultimate cut of the movie. Because I believe that there is a much better cut with using footage from both versions out there

[@DrumdumsXtra]

I agree. There are some moments in the DC that are better, like the Apollo fight.

[@leighkeane7770]

You need to watch my version. Taken me over a year to finish and now it's the perfect blend of the original and the directors cut, it also has the Rocky intro crawl and fanfare like the first 3 films

[@Peatnik9]

The fact the Russians all walk out pissed off at the end instead of that lame applause break is a MAJOR improvement.

[@larrygarcia6356]

THANK YOU!!! Glad I’m not the only one who feels that way.

[@isaiahrussell56]

Two little things I hated that they cut out and I don’t know why they did was the quick scene of him crumbling the picture during training and the quick scene of the kids cheering when he cut Drago in the 2nd round.

[@DrumdumsXtra]

It's like all the fun from the theatrical was cut out. I think the light-hearted moments gave the serious moments more impact.

[@Kiddism101]

I haven’t seen the director’s cut yet but would this movie benefit from a fan edit? with a mix of theatrical and director’s cut.

[@DrumdumsXtra]

Yes I think so, but the theatrical is almost perfection in my eyes.

[@larrygarcia6356]

The recut version is vastly superior to the original cut. Stallone wisely ditched the cheesiness that made it cringey, the robot being the worst. Drago is given a more realistic portrayal here, not just a mindless villain. Apollo fight was extended as well, putting up more of a fight with Drago. Plus I like at the end the two guys sitting on the balcony ended up leaving, instead of applauding. It’s more realistic. So yeah the recut is more polished and better for it.

[@gercahill970]

You just don't get it move on .. This was a fantastic take on Rocky vs Drago

[@DrumdumsXtra]

@@gercahill970 Ok.

[@steviet133000]

I love both versions I obviously love the original rocky 4 because I grew up on it it was my childhood.But I really liked rocky vs drago director's cut Stallone fixed alot of bad edits & it felt like so real & grounded it blends very well with creed But I like these conversations & great video as always great conversation

[@perryfan49]

I prefer the 85’ theatrical cut, but I respect and appreciate Sly for doing a director’s cut. I hope he goes back to some of his other films and gives us alternate versions like Paradise Alley and Staying Alive.

[@BishopWalters12]

I watched the DC once and it was fine but I'm going to stick with the TC and robot lives matter. The robot is awesome.

[@DrumdumsXtra]

I love the robot too.

[@Dcsquire28]

I love the theatrical cut but the directors cut is more grounded and more emotional and that’s why I love Stallone’s directing style and choice! Making drago more human and showing more of the relationship with Apollo and rocky! Just a beautiful film! I wish they would have this released on physical media rather than digital! I’m always afraid of this cut being taken away cause it’s so damn good! Would like to see stallone do this to another few of his films!

[@DrumdumsXtra]

I think it depends on what you want. The DC is more akin to the first two films in tone. The theatrical feels more like a fun action movie.

[@simonbelmont65]

I agree with there being too much Rocky 3 in the directors cut. I just think that Apollo should have gotten his own montage in Las Vegas, train very hard and put up a way better fight against Drago. Apollo should have died on round 10 not round 2. That would have enhanced Apollo’s legacy. I always felt like in Rocky 4, Rocky got all the glory, while Apollo got nothing. Rocky and Apollo’s friendship are one of the major high lights of the Rocky series.

[@Geronimo_Jehoshaphat]

Rocky 5 is the one that could be significantly improved with some better editing choices.

[@kalreeve]

There is a workprint of Rocky V that is excellent. The workprint version is one of my favorite Rocky movies.

[@capitalcitygoofball1987]

Be great if this came to DVD. I'm not sure you can take this movie out of it's 80s bubble gum packaging, but I do enjoy the wide shots and extra scenes. I think at the end of the day it's my preferred version, although I'm still on a hunger strike until we get the COBRA extended cut.

[@leighkeane7770]

I've recently finished doing my own cut of Rocky IV. It's taken me over a year and gone through a few different versions. It's the perfect blend of the original and the directors cut and it also has the Rocky intro crawl and fanfare like the first 3 films. I've made a lot of changes and tweeks and now I prefer my version to any other. I'd love someone to watch it and do a review or something. I'd ideally like Sly to watch it himself and give me his opinion.

[@Thathorrorguy12FU]

That was definitely a great way to put it bud. Definitely a great alternative. And the original release is obviously a better cut.

[@Dobbsy79]

I thoroughly disliked the directors cut Stallone made. Cutting all the cheesy stuff sort of ruined the goofy charm of this entry. The ultra 80s silly stuff is WHY people like it. The added in scenes were deadly dull and cut for a reason- this isn’t a drama on the level of Rocky 1 or 2 or Balboa - it’s mid 80s cheese- EMBRACE that.

[@axelstone3131]

I really don’t like that people call it “cheesy” it’s a product of its time. The Rocky movies change with the times. Rocky and Rocky 2 are very much 70’s movies, Rocky 3 and Rocky 4 embody the 80’s very well. The music was different, the clothing, the movies, MTV became a thing: the definition of cheesy is “cheap” or “of low quality” which this movie absolutely isn’t. Two training montages, a flashback scene in the car. If anything the movie encapsulates overcoming insurmountable odds, is super motivational and has a badass soundtrack and is just as good as the others, because Drago is clearly something Rocky has never faced before. I’ve gone on a bit of a rant which I didn’t mean to do but I feel pretty protective of the Rocky movies as I grew up with them and they are my favourite movies so I’m really not fond of hearing Rocky 4 referred to as “cheesy” it’s the most successful Rocky film after all and is highly rewatchable.

[@larrygarcia6356]

You clearly missed the mark on why Stallone decided to rework his movie. It’s more focused on pace and ditches the cheesiness that made it cringey. The robot was the ultimate cheese. Drago isn’t a mindless machine anymore, he’s given a heartbeat now. And Creed put up more of a fight with him. It’s definitely more polished and the better version.

[@gregorydacosta2102]

The cuts in a lot of areas didn't even make any sense. The new edit messed up the pacing, and the cuts themselves were choppy. The footage they switched out or added took away from Drago, in my opinion. Like you said, the 80's DNA was sucked out of it.

[@larrygarcia6356]

@@gregorydacosta2102 I feel the exact opposite but agree to disagree.

[@gregorydacosta2102]

@larrygarcia6356 Fair enough. "But if I can change and you can change, everybody can change!"😂

[@mikieson]

ugh..I just cant watch this version. I know I should "maybe"..BUT...I cant

[@jakebiomask]

I largely prefer the theatrical version, but there's a few moments where I prefer the directors cut. Luckily, on the 4k disc, if you select theatrical, while watching the film you can press the disc menu button and a little bar scrolls up allowing you to switch between the directors cut and theatrical in just 2 seconds. So I kept switching back and forth for the first half of the film, and then when he lands in Russia I just watched the theatrical without switching. I love the added extra scene of Apollo and Rocky talking in the garden and especially the funeral scene with Duke's speech and Rocky much longer speech, that scene was a BIG improvement. Apollo's fight was better too I think, as be puts up more of a fight.

[@DrumdumsXtra]

Wow that's a cool feature! That scene with Duke at the funeral....wow. He stole Rocky's thunder.

[@jakebiomask]

@DrumdumsXtra Have you watched the new 4K Director's Cut of Rocky Balboa? I watched it the other day, although I don't think Stallone made the new cut, I think it was more of a studio thing. They've basically added lots of deleted scenes in and also changed certain scenes to add an alternative version of it in, the best new addition is adding in the deleted scene of Paulie crying in the alley behind Rocky's restaurant after he shouts at him, it was cut in the theatrical for some reason, it's the culmination of Paulie's entire arc in all 6 films

[@gdodson69]

I need to give this another watch. Haven't watched this version since it initially was released, but I do remember liking it for what it is. In a way it kind of reminds me of watching the Richard Donner cut of Superman II. Spent just about 40 years watching a film over and over, so you are expecting this one thing to happen, but then it doesn't, or does in a different way, it is a bit jarring.

[@StultifiedGraphics]

I recut this with the original, Left all the old stuff even the robot, and added all the new stuff, i made it work, i was real happy with it and was nearly finished and then my computer crashed. SAD Put so much work into it, had to isolate some dialogue from the music in certain scenes to make it work lots of cuts between old and new footage, the hardest thing was matching the footage regarding colour and tone. Man i had fun doing it. Oh well will try again later

[@andylikesstuffchannel]

Soundtrack is brilliant agree with the beginning being dull as dish water

[@chriszajac8818]

I like both equally but neither is perfect. I agree the first fifteen minutes should’ve been shaved down to about five. Overall the directors cut was more serious and has a slight edge

[@David-wo9un]

I was a big fan of the first 4 Rocky movies; the rest are fine, but there’s something special about the first 4. I unfortunately have not seen the Director’s cut but I am left feeling I’m missing out.

[@DrumdumsXtra]

If you're a fan of IV, it's definitely worth checking out. I'm obsessed with Rocky haha.

[@matthewmorgan748]

The fight scene is on re cut is ridiculous. In the first round is like you have seen enough punches for 12 rounds ....then it says round 2 😅

[@Chris_Sherwood]

I agree with rhythm and would add, I've noticed alot of the directors or extended cuts of films suffer from the same... most theatrical cuts have the superior rhythm. Aliens is a great example for me personally... I love everything that was added but yet I perfer to watch the theatrical just for the pacing.

[@DrumdumsXtra]

Completely agree on Aliens. Another example is Donnie Darko. The DC actually makes the movie bad.

[@Whitleythe13th]

40 year's ago IV released and the song No Easy Way Out by Robert Tepper is still the best, 1985 to 2025... 80's awesomeness all day...carry on

[@DrumdumsXtra]

That song never gets old.

[@time2chill121]

I hate the director's cut. The movie was amazing without it I love your style of reviewing this, so I hit subscribe and hope your channel grows big. God bless and Hope you have a great Christmas this year

[@DrumdumsXtra]

Thanks so much man! Appreciate that.

[@scottmontgomery3743]

You should cover NIGHT OF THE COMET & THE LAST STARFIGHTER in the next video

[@NcboreasVapes]

What on earth are you waffling on about? Lol this cut is awesome for it's additional content. There.. took 10 seconds.

[@DrumdumsXtra]

Thank you my lord.

[@MrEverlast316]

I liked it very much , but my letdowns just like you mentioned , too much of Rocky III at the begining , the celebration after the victory is cringe and my biggest ones is when he gets knocked down.. the inner voice is clearly a recording of Sly of today's voice which is kind of weird , I alson didnt like that theres no count when Drago goes down , the ref gives the victory to Rocky right away even tho I miss Hearts on fire at the end , I thought it was pretty cool to hear eye of the tiger when he leaves the ring . to be honest , im such a big fan of Rocky 4 , (saw it twice at the theater in 85 ) I gotta admit , I didnt want a cut I wanted a extra long Rocky 4 , no cuts + extras haha do you know if its available on blue ray now ? man I hope Sly fixes Rocky V

[@jtatum1112]

Ya, I hear ya about the opening but I like that Sly put "The Sweetest Victory" song in there. Personally I like the Director's Cut a little more mainly because of the 2 fights. Also HATE Rocky's jump at the end. I have no idea why he thought that was better than him spinning and raising his arms in victory

[@perryfan49]

It did seem like this cut of the movie was only about the fight. Not so much the story of Rocky and the family of characters.

[@billymountiii5788]

I think the theatrical cut is better, in my opinion

[@MrFrankFurter]

Ruined by the aspect ratio, Stallone thinking it looks more dramatic cutting the top of peoples heads off. He should have gone 4:3.

[@bb-gc2tx]

the changes made to the final round of the drago fight ruined my theory from the original cut that drago while hurt could of gotten up but was through being controlled by russian goverment

[@Rickmicheals]

Rocky is probably my favorite movie of all time. And 4 is probably one of the best. But, I didn’t care for this cut .

[@willthorburn1985]

I liked the director's cut a little more. What i dont like about it was weird editing choices and inserting some scenes that arent better. I also didnt like the adding of the black bars on top and bottom, that was not the original aspact ratio.

[@DrumdumsXtra]

Yes definitely some weird moments.

[@nicholaswoodall3840]

you have alot of cool stuff

[@DrumdumsXtra]

Thank you!

[@stevenjoyce5541]

Rocky 4 was a great movie that made the most money for Stallone . It held the title for biggest gross for a sport film for 24 years at $300 million until the blind side beat it in 2009 at $309 million . Not a fan of the new cut , the 85’ cut was a sign of the times. the robot actually help sage stallion read in real life , I think Stallone cut out the robot because the pain of losing sage in 2012 . Star Wars was a great film for its time , when they started to mess with it in the 90s, never was the same. Rocky 4 was the best of them all . Leave it be

[@DrumdumsXtra]

Interesting factoid!

[@davidhall7648]

Stallone should have left part 4 alone and edited part 5 to improve that instead!

[@DrumdumsXtra]

Haha agreed. I don't even know if you can fix that movie. Stallone performance feels so off in it.

[@thereviewartistrrp5493]

I have seen Rocky 4 many times. I always hate hearing people describing it as a good cheese. It's not, It's a dramatic movie with light-hearted moments. Like the apollo-Dolph pre fight show. It felt like a real pre fight show. Plenty of boxers have come out with pre shows very similar. Eubanks did, nazeem did many have. It felt real. It had high stakes. Theres plenty of cheesy movies from the 80s. Rocky is not one of them. All van damn movies love them, but there cheesy.

[@lukesmale24]

Some of the editing points though are way off in the new cut. One minute Duke is taking Rocky's robe off and in the next shot he is standing away from Rocky. The new scenes are good for the most part, but man he cuts Sooo much out like the locker room scene and man cutting Ludmilla meeting Mary Anne. I also hate Rocky just walking out of the ring to Eye of the Tiger. Just feels totally out of place and deflates the joy of the original ending

[@SlowhandsRockTalkShow]

Love the original. Thought the directors cut was decent. I think what Stallone should have done was keep the original but then add additional scenes and just make the movie longer overall as there was nothing I felt should have been cut out but plenty of things that could have been added.

[@ManvasPachenko]

Personally, I think if any ROCKY movie needed a remastering and extending/re-cutting? It would be ROCKY III. I think its the definitive movie of the franchise. I mean come on!! Clubber Lang or Drago? Clubber is far more charismatic and interesting.

[@DrumdumsXtra]

@ManvasPachenko that’s where I have to give Stallone credit for his versatility in creating villains.

[@Out-Cast75]

The theatrical is better . Although I like a few scenes better in the directors , the funeral scene is better.in the directors cut and the Apollo fight. I like it just not as much as the theatrical.

[@alohaohana901]

The robot sequences are asinine. I have watched Rocky 4 numerous times, but I have never rewatched the robot scenes. They are unnecessary and stupid as hell.

[@bilalrashad6636]

I'd take either version over the abomination that was Rocky 5

[@DrumdumsXtra]

Preach.

[@mikeadams7904]

Had some good bits but i prefer the theatrical

[@RAGING_MIRAGE]

I can remember the night you went to see it lol. Terrible.... I went to see the Directors Cut twice lol.

[@TheJoseph5117]

Stopped watching at 4.49 because you said exactly what I thought the one and time I watched it. Absolutely no rhythm/ pace to the thing. Even the fight scenes had no rhythm they were slowed down. 👍

[@DrumdumsXtra]

Yeah man just really frustrating in the pacing dept.

[@Thathorrorguy12FU]

I liked the director's cut as well. Obviously this is my favorite of the franchise. I will say that I love every Rocky film. Rocky 5 is definitely the weakest of them(still good tho).

[@DrumdumsXtra]

Yes Rocky V is at the bottom of a steep cliff.

[@hardtarget4life]

The theatrical hate filled cold war version is of course the best. This directors cut was just stupid, hated, pointless. Stallone should not think he can remove the cold war from history as he did here. Remember your first take on this, you hated it too, now you like it ? So whats is it you like it or you hate it ? Remember if he dies, he dies! Yeah Russians rooting for Rocky, dont think that would happened in real life, think the blood thirsty commies had shouted KILL, KILL, KILL! Some stupid nonsense here and there especially end of film speech by Stallone. We are the same age (about) You dont remember the cold war ?

[@vinilima1227]

I saw rocky iv director’s cut for the 1st time in January this year and didn’t like it !!! The original version is 100000% better !!!!!!! The whole magic/spirit of rocky iv is gone in the director’s cut. DEFINITELY NOT intending to rewatch it ! EVER ! I remember I enjoyed to see some extra footage especially for drago and I thought the behind the scenes of this cut was more interesting than this version of the movie itself.

[@DrumdumsXtra]

Because of the loss of rhythm, the movie feels off.

[@stephenwyatt88]

I prefer the Director's Cut. I think Stallone made a better film.

[@OrdellRob]

The director’s cut is better. Only liberals wouldn’t like it.

[@DrumdumsXtra]

@@OrdellRob Jesus Christ does everything have to be political these days? Nothing is sacred anymore.

[@MarkBurrows-o1p]

I loved the original Rocky 4 it had everything + the music soundtrack as welli in it that will be watched over an over again throughout the years. Yet the directors cut wasn't good at all except all the Apollo Creed scenes including the extended fight he had with Drago an the funeral were Tony makes a heart felt speech about creed was powerful an should of all been in the original Rocky 4 in my views. Thanks for the Rocky fim review & giving us fans more videos updates Drumdums until next time takecare 👍😎

[@DrumdumsXtra]

You pretty much hit the nail on the head as to why the theatrical version is perfection.

[@MarkBurrows-o1p]

@DrumdumsXtra Thanks Drumdums for the reply an agreeing with me too 😎👍

[@paulstephenson2872]

ive only watched it once and that was enough sly should never of messed with it

[@tgriffin3059]

Stallone should have simply reinserted the deleted scenes. Instead, he took what is arguably his most beloved film, and absolutely BUTCHERED it. Stallone is a broken, defeated old man. The man he was when he made Rocky 4 would be deeply ashamed at what a weakling he has become....going to the critics with his hat in his hand, like a sad, broken old bum...

[@commonwealthedison2640]

The director’s cut was absolutely terrible.

[@Bastermater]

Stallone?! Yep, I’m good. ✌🏻