Despite a pasted on head for the cover and a photo from Rocky II on the back, the makers of this DVD did an excellent job in rounding up the surviving key players in this sentimental masterpiece. Stallone is missing from the track, opting to do a solo, vanity interview on camera, but this track soars with wonderful stories from director John G. Avildsen, producers Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff, and actors Talia Shire and Burt Young.

Young is especially hilarious when recounting several improvs he made on the set, and Talia gives more depth to her character and the performance that went into it. Director Avildsen gives great detail on how several scenes evolved either due to lack of money or time, like when Rocky lets out his anger after Mick finally offers to manage him. The listener will also learn details like how Rocky, not The Shining, was filmed with the first-ever steadicam, or why the operator was later hired and then fired from Martin Scorsese's Raging Bull.

In recent years, the significance of this film has been tarnished with the dreadful last sequel, Rocky V, and the diminishing career of its star, but this commentary helps rectify the great integrity that went into the original masterpiece. This commentary receives a 10.

This is a better track than the one Stallone does on the other edition. But this track is also included on the 2-disc collectors edition. Actually, the only thing I would want to improve this track is Stallone. It’s really a shame that just because he got a track on his own, he couldn’t pitch in here. Here we get a few minute bits from each, and it’s edited in a way that is very natural according to what is happening on the screen. I loved hearing from Carl Weathers and Talia Shire, but all the others are also great. This track covers everything, but oddly enough the oscars are not mentioned. But really, if you only hear one commentary on rocky, let it be this one. 8/10

Agree with the above. I prefer this track to Stallone's solo commentary. Great stories from Weathers, Burt Young, and the producers. A neat look at the '70s movie scene at United Artists, as well as more insight from Mr. Brown. His insight is a great companion to the "Shining" commentary, esp for those amateur cameramen out there.

This track is very good edited. Good points are the small budget, the style of the movie, the locations, the connection between the actors and the faith in Stallone.

The best part for me comes from Garrett Brown and his use of the Stedicam. The Stedicam was brand new at the time. Stallone is missing on this track, but the other guys are doing a great job. 9 out of 10.