Who directed the 1985 film Rocky IV?

Sylvester Stallone directed the 1985 film Rocky IV. He also wrote the screenplay and reprised his role as Rocky Balboa, making the movie a particularly direct expression of his creative vision.

Rocky IV follows Rocky after the death of his friend and former rival Apollo Creed, who is killed in an exhibition match against the powerful Soviet boxer Ivan Drago. Rocky travels to the Soviet Union and trains in harsh conditions before facing Drago on Christmas Day in Moscow. The story uses the boxing rivalry as a Cold War-era conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union.

The film was the fourth entry in the Rocky series and became the franchise’s biggest commercial success. It is known for its elaborate training montages, electronic music, spectacular production design, and the robot Paulie receives as a birthday gift. James Brown’s “Living in America” and Survivor’s “Burning Heart” became closely associated with the film.

George P. Cosmatos directed Rambo: First Blood Part II, not Rocky IV. John G. Avildsen directed the original Rocky and Rocky V, while Stallone directed Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV, and Rocky Balboa.