Synopsis:

Stallone’s directors cut of Rocky IV released in 2021 was good but flawed, in my view. The tech used to remaster the film was impressive. Some of the unseen footage was interesting to see. But a lot of heart and charm from the theatrical was cut out. So i decided to make a fan edit improving Sly vision for his directors cut.

Intentions:

I used Davinci Resolve Studio. I used colour correction, noise reduction to match footage from the theatrical. I used AI tools to extract music from vocals to change music in some scenes. This technique was also used so that some of my edits blended in well. I added some sound effects. I added grain when needed.

Change List:

1. All scenes from the theatrical that were cut out of the DC weren’t restored/remastered, therefore have been colour corrected, noise reduced in Davinci Resolve Studio. Also cropped to match aspect ratio of the directors cut. 2. I made a custom Rocky IV title scroll to match more closely the title scrolls from the previous 3 films. Added grain. 3. I added Eye Of The Tiger music when Apollo propositions Rocky in the Gym. 4. I removed the song ‘Sweetest Victory’ and replaced it with Bill Conti’s theme when Rocky beats Clubber. 5. Removed the original ‘Rocky IV: Rocky vs Drago The Ultimate Directors Cut’ title scroll. 6. Added scenes from the theatrical that were removed- Rocky and Apollo sparring, Paulies Birthday party, Rocky and Adrian’s anniversary, Drago arriving to America. 7. I inserted the scene where Rocky is washing his Lamborghini and joking with his son. 8. Scene where Apollo discusses his reasons for wanting to fight Drago with Adrian, I inserted Paulies robot back into the scene. 9. I inserted the scene where Rocky and Apollo are in dressing room, pre Apollo v Drago fight. 10. I inserted the scene where Paulie is packing his luggage whilst his robot tells him to not forget to pack things. Bickering like a married couple. 11. Fixed the Rocky and Son goodbye scene. In the directors cut it ends abruptly because the robot was mentioned, Stallone wanted anything with the robot cut so the dialogue for the goodbyes were ruined. I fixed that. 12. I inserted the robot standing on front porch as Rocky walks past. 13. I added Rocky putting a photo of his son on his mirror, in the training barn, in Russia. 14. I added all scenes of Rocky’s son and his friends watching the Rocky v Drago fight. 15. I fixed Rocky’s dialogue at the end where he says ‘everybody can change’ in the directors cut he delivers it with a monotone voice. I replaced it with the theatrical which is more uplifting. 16. I inserted the dialogue of Rocky wishing his son a merry Christmas and tells him that he loves him, which was cut from the directors cut. 17. I removed the song Hearts On Fire (Eye Of The Tiger on the DC) and replaced it with Sweetest Victory as the last scene plays out. I made it in 4K and I also made custom English subtitles!

Other Sources:

I used footage from the theatrical and directors cut of Rocky IV. I also used some audio from Rocky III and Rocky I. An image of the championship belt was downloaded from the internet.

Special Thanks:

I used footage from the theatrical and directors cut of Rocky IV. I also used some audio from Rocky III and Rocky I. An image of the championship belt was downloaded from the internet.