All I wanna do is go the distance

<p> If any film has gone the distance it's <I>Rocky</I> (1976) which spawned one of the longest running franchises in film history. Released in America's bicentennial year <I>Rocky</I> based on an original screenplay by then-unknown writer and actor Sylvester Stallone surprised everyone. Shot on a shoestring budget by director John Avildsen the film became a blockbuster and Academy Award-winning best picture In addition to spawning a lucrative franchise and spin-offs <I>Rocky</I> propelled the careers of Stallone and Talia Shire raised interest in boxing and sports movies and placed Philadelphia and its architecture in the popular consciousness. </p><p> <I>Rocky</I> has always been a contested text raising questions about race gender and class in America as well as debate about genre storytelling and film art--questions which are addressed at length in this rich collection of essays. As the contributing scholars show <I>Rocky</I> and its sequels retain their power to rouse audiences well into the twenty-first century and continue to inspire audiences athletes and filmmakers.</p>