Rocky IV: Rocky vs Drago
by Robbo
Posted on 27 March 2025
Rating -
Rocky Drago Directors Cut Review – What’s It All About?
Let’s dive into Rocky Drago Directors Cut, officially titled “Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago – The Ultimate Director’s Cut”, a 2021 re-edit of the iconic 1985 sports drama. Directed by Sylvester Stallone and starring Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, Carl Weathers, and more, this film strips away the camp and injects real emotional weight.
Our Rocky Drago Directors Cut review covers the changes, the drama, and whether this version hits harder than the original.
So, what’s the deal? The Rocky saga takes a more serious turn as Apollo Creed faces Ivan Drago with devastating consequences. Rocky must grapple with guilt and vengeance, setting the stage for a rematch with Cold War tensions sizzling in the background.
In this revised cut, Rocky’s journey feels more mature, more conflicted, and surprisingly timely. With 40 minutes re-edited, the film goes from punchy montage fest to something with real muscle.
The Cast – Who’s Bringing It?
Sylvester Stallone gives a grizzled, introspective performance as Rocky. His emotional weight finally matches the physical.
Carl Weathers’ Apollo Creed also gets his due—more dialogue, more presence, and far more dignity.
Dolph Lundgren’s Ivan Drago is less of a monosyllabic brute this time. His arc is subtle but present. You even feel a touch of empathy. Almost.
Everyone steps up, and the cuts really shine a spotlight on character over cliché.
Stallone’s Direction – A New Vision for Rocky Drago Directors Cut
Stallone directed both the original and this new cut, but this time around, he’s taken a scalpel to his own legacy. Gone is the robot butler. In its place? Focus, grit, and real emotional beats.
The Rocky Drago Directors Cut explores themes like grief, masculinity, pride, and redemption. It’s less about USA vs USSR and more about one man taking accountability for a friend’s death.
It’s tight, it’s lean, and it has a hell of a right hook.
The Look & Sound – A Tougher Rocky IV
Visually, the remastered footage is crisp, with improved lighting and new editing choices that intensify every blow. Gone are the flashy jump-cuts and music-video vibes—what’s left feels far more cinematic.
The soundtrack has been trimmed, but you still get those iconic moments like “Hearts on Fire.” The emotional cues hit better now—fewer distractions, more drama.
It feels like Stallone wanted us to watch—not just cheer.
Behind the Scenes – Did You Know?
Did you know? Stallone cut over 40 minutes of footage and replaced it with previously unseen material. The decision to remove Paulie’s robot wasn’t random—he said it felt “too goofy” for a film about death and redemption.
Read more here.
Also, during filming in the 80s, Dolph Lundgren accidentally hit Stallone so hard it sent him to the ICU. That punch? Real enough to hospitalise the Italian Stallion.
Read the full scoop.
Final Thoughts – Is Rocky Drago Directors Cut Worth It?
Absolutely. It’s not just a longer cut—it’s a stronger film. If you’re a fan of the franchise, this version respects your intelligence and your emotional investment.
For newcomers? It’s a good standalone entry that packs more punch than nostalgia alone. We give it 4 bruised ribs out of 5.
Consider what you have been looking at with this new cut of Rocky 4…Stallone, one of the most successful motion picture stars in history, has taken one of his very few truly beloved films…one that he wrote and directed, as well as starred in…and castrated it for the sake of placating people who will never like him, in any event. I went to see this, with very mixed feelings…lured by the prospect of seeing brand new footage of a favorite that was made so long ago…but apprehensive because I know how feeble his insecurities have made Stallone…and my fears were justified. There is only one truly valuable addition to the film…the moment where Adrian breaks down and begs him not to go to Russia…that was an impressive scene, because Adrian is generally so stoic and quiet…to see her break down like this is affecting. But most of what Stallone has done is to simply go back and alter old scenes, making them at times awkward…and at times downright anemic. Consider some of the things that he and his critic pal maligned the film for in their discussion…too slick, too ’80’s’, they said….so what did Stallone do to ‘fix’ this? Look closely, and you can actually see moments that transpire exactly as they did before…but he went back and substituted less becoming shots of himself. I mean, scenes that unfold exactly as before…but Stallone replaced iconic shots of himself with lame(dare I say dorky) shots…This is particularly true as Drago makes his entrance for the climactic fight. Nothing gets rid of that annoying 80’s era polish like choosing less compelling shots when much better ones exist. Most unforgivably of all, he eliminated the scene where Rocky and Drago make eye contact right after Apollo’s death. That scene is a microcosm of the film…an unforgettable moment in American cinema(Apollo Creed’s death scene is absolutely brilliant, in its totality)….and that moment of eye contact was transcendent…But I guess that’s considered worthless 80’s melodrama, so the simpleton removed it because…well, because some geek behind a keyboard somewhere mocked him over it…For a man of Stallone’s caliber, and track record, to lower himself like this…for the sake of earning some validation from people who are not fit to polish his shoes…is about as degrading as anything I’ve ever seen. The look of peace, and satisfaction, that radiates from his features…while he parrots mockeries and insults that have been directed towards his own film…a film that, along with the first 3 Rocky movies, happens to comprise the biggest and most indelible part of his legacy…is absolutely pathetic…and, frankly, disturbingly so…