Many called Sylvester Stallone "crazy" for reprising the role of boxing champ Rocky Balboa at the grand old age of 60. But Sly came out fighting. He wrote as well as directed the film, which went on to meet with surprisingly warm critical response and landed a knockout punch at the box office. So, don't be surprised to see The Italian Stallion staging his next comeback on a Zimmer frame...

Going The Distance

"You can go far beyond what people say you can do," says Sly, "if you believe in it." That sets the tone for a rousing behind-the-scenes featurette where we see Stallone get a hero's welcome on the streets of Philadelphia. Shooting in the Italian Market quickly descends into chaos as the locals surround him and beg for autographs and photos. It's a similar story at the famous steps leading up the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where Sly shoots the last reel and recaptures past glory. It's obviously been an emotional ride for the star who mournfully reflects, "Everything that I'll ever accomplish, that is really worthy, is done."

Stallone keeps his chin up for Reality In The Ring, which sees him go toe-to-toe with real-life boxer Antonio Tarver. There are glimpses of his gruelling six-month training regime and rehearsal bouts with Travers, where it's pointed out that the hits are actually being landed. His trainer puts it down to Sly's "intestinal fortitude", although Stallone admits that a layering of sound effects is designed to make the punches feel harder. He talks as well about achieving authenticity in the fight scenes using the HD cameras favoured by HBO for live sports coverage.

Punch Drunk

There's more sparring with Travers among seven deleted scenes ("I think I lost my balance," says the dazed OAP), plus extended versions of Rocky's heart-to-heart chats with Paulie. The original version of Rocky's first meeting with Marie (Geraldine Hughes), after 30 years, is also included. It's in a much cosier version of Andy's Bar and is also notable for Rocky's comical run-in with someone who appears to be a refugee from The Jerry Springer Show... An alternative ending is presented separately and milks Rocky's last moments of triumph for all they're worth.

Stallone talks about marrying a wistful sense of nostalgia with adrenaline-pumping action in a detailed commentary for the film. He gets very technical, describing every technique, from the colour palette to the lighting effects he used to emphasise emotion. And the final boxing scenes with Travers were obviously a high point. He chuckles at the memory of a stunned crowd at the Mandalay Bay hotel in Las Vegas where he made his unscheduled appearance in the ring. You'll chuckle too when he reveals that the original title of the film was 'Puncher's Chance'. (Ouch.)

A blooper reel in which Stallone misses his stage direction and fluffs his lines reminds that us he is actually very old. Even so, devotees of the franchise will find that Rocky Balboa hits the mark.

EXTRA FEATURES

Rocky Balboa DVD is released on Monday 21st May 2007.