Catholic Family Movie Night: Rocky

Hello! I am Stacy’s husband, Deacon Matt Halbach.

Stacy asked me to write a Catholic Movie night post. At first, I was a little hesitant. Was I

qualified, I wondered? But I soon relaxed in the knowledge that I had met all the

prerequisites: I love movies and I’m a Catholic parent. Check and check.

My movie selection for September may surprise you. It’s an oldie but a goodie,

and it is surprisingly full of Catholic themes. My first Catholic Movie night post—and

maybe my only one, depending on the reception—is on the 1976 Oscar-winning movie

Rocky. To my knowledge, no one has really mined the spiritual riches of this film (or

Rocky II, for that matter); and I am almost certain that no one has applied this wisdom to

family life. So, let’s get into it! Rocky is a pop culture example of two important scriptural

truths: With Christ, all things are possible, and Prayer Really Makes a Difference

1. With Christ All Things are Possible

The film’s opening scene begins with a picture of Jesus holding a host and

chalice in his hand. This image of the Eucharistic Jesus presides over a boxing

match taking place in a smoke-filled church hall amidst the howls and jeers of

betting fans. And you thought bingo in the church hall was bad!

In the ring we have Rocky—a down-on-his-luck boxer (brawler, really)—and

Spider Rico, a less-than-average-fighter and fellow nobody. When you juxtapose

this opening scene with the end of the film, which has Rocky beating impossible

odds by going the distance in a match against the heavy weight champion of the

world, Apollo Creed, thoughtful viewers will conclude that Christ (more

specifically, Rocky’s Catholic faith) played a significant role in his journey from

nobody to somebody.

Jesus is always with us; and with God, all things are possible (Mt 19:26). Our

Catholic faith tells us that in the Eucharist, Jesus is the most “with us” he can be.

Therefore, when we receive the Eucharist, all things are possible. Whether the

director intended to make this connection or not, as a Catholic dad and deacon, it

was obvious to me; and I never hesitate to point this out to my family every time

we watch Rocky, which is about 3-5 times a year!

Tips to Live it Out:

 Consider taking your family to adoration. Let them know that adoration is a

reminder of how much God wants to be present to us.

 Take some time after Mass, as a family, to express gratitude for having

received Jesus in the Eucharist.

2. Prayer Really Makes a Difference

As scripture shows us, prayer can make the impossible possible. Before the

championship fight, we get a shot-by-shot comparison of the two fighters getting

ready. Before each fighter enters the arena, Rocky takes a long, sobering look at

himself in the mirror and then kneels to pray by the bathroom sink. Apollo Creed

sits in his dressing room with a pensive look on his face. While Apollo could also

be praying in this moment, the visual juxtaposition of the two fighters’ seems to

highlight Rocky’s dependance on God which eventually comes to fruition as

Rocky will ultimately achieve his goal: to go the full fifteen rounds with the heavy

weight champion and prove he is somebody.

The second critical moment is during the penultimate round (Round 14 of 15).

Rocky’s girlfriend, Adrian, who didn’t want to watch the fight, walks into the

enormous stadium which is electric and filled with howls and cheers—a far cry

from the local church hall, indeed. Seeing Rocky down on the canvass, struggling

to get up, Adrian immediately begins to pray and Rocky slowly gets up. But more

than this, Rocky begins to motion to Creed to come and get him! Rocky finishes

the round with a flurry of punishing shots that cripple the champion and will go on

to finish the fight on his feet, standing tall.

Tips to Live it Out:

 Take time each day (or at least once a week) to pray as a couple/family for

the things you need.

 Make a commitment to keep your loved ones in prayer by scheduling a

few minutes each day to lift up their intentions.

So, if you are looking for an inspirational movie to show your family, particularly one that showcases an underdog who had little more than a dream and a prayer to achieve his life's goal, then choose Rocky. While the faith-inspired elements of this movie are subtle, the still pack a punch!