Where was Rocky IV filmed?
1985
City Locations
Wyoming: Jackson, Grand Teton National Park; Las Vegas, Nevada
Location Types
American, Contemporary, NatureScapes, Hotels/Motels
Location Styles
Americana/Anywhere America, Hotel/Motel Style, Seedy
About Rocky IV
In the opening Rocky IV scene, Ivan Drago, a Russian boxer, travels to the United States with his wife and trainers. His manager Nicolai praises Drago’s athletic prowess, equating it to the superior abilities of the Russians. Apollo Creed is stirred to prove himself and challenges Drago to an exhibition fight. Rocky is hesitant to support him but commits to helping him train.
The two men meet for a press conference, and tensions run high. The match is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas. Apollo makes a spectacle of his entrance by hiring James Brown to perform “Living in America.” The fight is initially mild but soon turns ugly.
Apollo is no match for Drago. Rocky and Duke beg him to stop the match, but Apollo refuses. Drago continues to attack Apollo with devastating blows, and Duke begs Rocky to “throw in the towel” to end the fight. Drago beats Apollo to death and is unmoved by the death of his opponent.
Rocky challenges Drago to fight him. Drago agrees to a 15-round fight on the condition it occurs in the Soviet Union on December 25th. This arrangement was insisted upon as a defense for Drago who is receiving death threats in the USA.
Rocky goes to Russia without Adrian who is upset he has agreed to the match. He establishes a training base in isolated Krasnogourbinsk. Paulie and Duke come with him to help him train.
Rocky trains the old-fashioned way while Drago is subjected to working out on high-tech treadmills and other equipment. He is also given consistent injections of anabolic steroids. Adrian comes to Russia to support Rocky, and his enthusiasm for the fight is renewed.
Just before the match, Rocky walks into the arena and is greeted with great hostility. Drago approaches the ring in a dramatic display of patriotism.
In the first round, Rocky is dominated by Drago. The second round sees Rocky land a punch that wounds Drago’s eye. Duke reminds him that Drago is only a man while Drago is overheard remarking to his trainers that Rocky is not human; he is made of iron. His trainers mock him for succumbing to the “weak American.” The next twelve rounds proceed with blows landed by both men, and both men are still on their feet. During the 12th round, the crowd begins to warm to Rocky and cheers for his success. Drago’s trainer belittles him, and an enraged Drago throws him out of the ring.
In the last round, both men are visibly exhausted. Rocky is pummeled by Drago but is able to stay on his feet. Suddenly, Rocky spies an opportunity and begins hammering Drago with heavy blows, winning the fight. Rocky speaks to the crowd, and the Soviets rise to their feet to applaud Rocky.
Rocky IV Locations
Shot in 1985 in the United States, Rocky IV is the fourth film in the famed Rocky series. The movie was written by Sylvester Stallone who also directed and starred in the film. Other stars featured in this beloved boxing classic are Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Brigitte Nielsen, and Dolph Lundgren.
After the release of Rocky III, work on the Rocky IV script began. Filming commenced in 1984 with such scenic locales as Philadelphia, Wyoming, and Vancouver providing backdrops for the movie. Rocky IV has become synonymous with its inspirational soundtrack and references to the Cold War.
Rocky was released in Los Angeles in November 1985 to mixed reviews. Several critics lambasted the film, claiming its script was predictable and criticizing the emphasis on the Cold War, claiming it portrayed Russians in a poor light. However, the film was a smash hit at the box office, earning more than $300 million and taking pride of place as the highest-grossing movie in the Rocky series and the third highest of the year. There are several different filming locations for Rocky IV including Jackson, Wyoming, and Grand Teton National Park. Other cities featured in this beloved boxing movie are Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Is the Rocky film franchise one of your absolute faves? If so, a trip to visit the film shoot locations for Rocky IV is sure to be a blast!
Fun Fact:
The fight sequences between Sylvester Stallone and Dolph Lundgren in Rocky IV were real with one particularly aggressive match ending with Stallone in intensive care in the hospital.
Rocky is confronted by Adrian scene in Rocky IV
Rocky’s house (Fremont Mansion), 50 Fremont Pl, Los Angeles, CA
In this dramatic scene, Rocky gives the most famous quote from the movie. He is confronted by his wife, Adrian who is afraid he will get seriously hurt or killed in his upcoming fight with Drago.
Adrian: You can’t win!
Rocky: To beat me, he’s gonna have to kill me. And to kill me, he’s gonna have to have the heart to stand in front of me. And to do that, he’s gotta be willin’ to die himself. I don’t know if he’s ready to do that.
To see the film location for this iconic scene, you can visit the Fremont Mansion on Fremont Place in Los Angeles, California. It is also known as The Rocky House in Rocky 4. Some of the ways you can get there are by taking the 210 bus from Vine and Fountain or Bus 20 from the Hollywood/Wilshire bus. You could also hop on the Metro B Red Line to Bus 20.
Drago’s arrival in America is announced on the news scene in Rocky IV
Los Angeles International Airport, 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA
In this Rocky IV film scene, footage of Drago's training is displayed on a film screen. The TV is showing a broadcast of an interview conducted with Drago, his wife Ludmilla, and his trainer Nicolai. Ludmilla speaks for Drago, telling the journalists about Drago’s training program. This dialogue takes place between Nicolai, a reporter, and Ludmilla in one of the best scenes in Rocky IV.
Nicolai: It makes a man, a better man, a great athlete, a superior athlete by harnessing all his strength. Though most of the world is ignorant of body chemistry, we wish to educate your country.
Reporter: There have been rumors of blood doping and the widespread distribution of anabolic steroids in the Soviet Union. Has Drago partaken part in any such experiments?
Ludmilla: No, no, Ivan is naturally trained.
Reporter: Then how do you explain his freakish strength?
Ludmilla: Like your Popeye, he ate his spinach every day.
Nicolai: So, we have a demonstration. A normal heavyweight, an average of 700 pounds of pressure per square inch.
Drago hits the bag.
Nicolai: As you can see, Drago averages 1,850 pounds. So, the result’s quite obvious.
Reporter: What results are those?
Nicolai: Whatever he hits, he destroys.
Some of the footage displayed in the Drago interview was shot at the Los Angeles International Airport. To get to this former Rocky IV film set, the easiest public transportation option is the Flyaway Shuttle bus found at Union Station.
Apollo and Drago attend a press conference to promote their exhibition fight scene in Rocky IV
Las Vegas, NV
Apollo, Rocky, Drago, Nicolai, and Ludmilla sit at a conference table to promote the upcoming Las Vegas fight between Apollo and Drago. Apollo speaks very arrogantly to the reporters, and the Soviets are offended by his cocky attitude. This conversation follows in one of the most funny scenes in Rocky IV.
Apollo: Well, you know some folks got to learn the hard way.
Reporter: So, no quick knockout prediction?
Apollo: No, no, no, I’m not angry with him. See, I just want to show the whole world that Russia doesn’t have all the best athletes.
Reporter: Rocky, how do you think Apollo should fight Drago?
Rocky: Well, personally, I think the first thing you’d better get Apollo is a ladder.
Though this Rocky IV production location was filmed on a set that was built specifically for this scene, it was shot in Las Vegas, a city that features prominently in this movie. A trip to Sin City never disappoints, and since many of the shots in this film proudly display the Las Vegas landscape, it is well worth your time to stop by for a visit.
Of particular interest are the areas around the MGM Grand Hotel where the fight scene between Apollo and Drago was filmed. There are several different airports that provide service directly to Las Vegas, and upon arrival, you can take a shuttle bus into the heart of the city to do some exploring.
Discover Las Vegas Filming Locations
Apollo is killed by Drago scene in Rocky IV
Bally's Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, 3645 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV
Drago and Apollo are deep into their fight at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Apollo is struggling. Drago is dominating the match, and Apollo is barely able to remain on his feet. Apollo’s wife yells to stop the fight, and Duke pleads with Rocky to throw in the towel, but Rocky stays true to Apollo’s wishes. Drago administers one final blow that knocks Apollo face-first to the floor. His body starts to seize, and the crowd rushes to the ring.
Drago is declared the winner and gives a speech in English. He is asked how he feels about Apollo’s injuries, and he responds without emotion, “If he dies, he dies.” To reach this Rocky IV film set where one of the best action scenes occurs, you can take bus lines 119, 202, or Deuce or the Monorail route LVM.
Rocky and Drago train in Russia scene in Rocky IV
Mormon Row, US-26, Moose, WY
While Drago is hard at work on high-tech equipment, Rocky trains the old-fashioned way by running through the mountains and across rugged terrain. Drago is injected with anabolic steroids to enhance his performance while Rocky saws heavy lumber in blustering cold winter conditions and pulls a sled containing Paulie and some weights. The difference in the men’s training regimes is readily evident and both gain strength and power through their chosen regimes.
At the end of a grueling run, Rocky is greeted by Adrian who has come from the United States to see him. They walk toward each other, and Adrian tells him, “I couldn’t stay away anymore. I missed you.” Rocky whispers that he misses her too, and Adrian shares, “I am with you; no matter what.”
To reach this filming location, make a turn at Moose Junction from Highway 89. Several of the key training scenes were filmed on this property.
Explore Filming Locations
Rocky wins the fight scene in Rocky IV
The Agrodome, Pacific National Exhibition Grounds, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Rocky and Drago are deep into their fight in Russia on Christmas Day. Nicolai speaks to Drago in Russian, telling him, “The American is small and weak. Weak.”
Rocky’s trainers yell instructions from the ropes, and both men continue to throw punches. Drago picks up Rocky and throws him against the ropes then delivers a nasty blow to Rocky’s head. Rocky fights back, hitting Drago with a hook that causes a nasty cut near Drago’s left eye. The tide begins to turn with Rocky standing his ground and remaining strong.
The bell rings and both men return to their corner. Duke tells Rocky, “You see? You see? He’s not a machine! He’s a man!”
And Drago tells Nicolai, “He’s not human. He is like a piece of iron.”
The two men continue to battle it out in the ring. Both are deeply fatigued, but both remain on their feet. Rocky begins pummeling Drago and delivers sufficient blows to knock Drago off his feet. Drago grabs the ropes to try to rise to his feet but cannot do it. Rocky is declared the winner. The crowd, once firmly against Rocky begins to cheer, “Rocky! Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!”
This scene continues from the previous one and is also shot in the Agrodome in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Conclusion
One of the most beloved films in the Rocky franchise, the landscape seen in Rocky IV is truly inspiring, ranging from the mountains in Wyoming to the glitzy hotels of the Las Vegas strip and even to good old Philly, PA.
If you’re tired of the same old, same old and are on the hunt for a different kind of vacation, why not plan to visit the Rocky IV filming locations? It’s sure to be grand fun!