Sylvester Stallone’s Near-Miss During the Filming of Rocky IV: A Truth Behind the Legend
Many movie enthusiasts and fans of the Rocky series have wondered about the truth behind one of the most dramatic moments in Rocky IV: Sylvester Stallone nearly dying while filming the fight scene with Dolph Lundgren. This article aims to uncover the facts behind this legendary story, backed by confirmed documentation and medical reports.
The Hospitalization Incident
Sylvester Stallone, in an interview, confirmed that he was indeed hospitalized during the filming of his fight scene with Dolph Lundgren. According to Stallone himself, Lundgren hit him with a real punch, as Stallone had instructed him to do. The force of the punch caused Stallone’s rib cage to hit his heart, resulting in severe swelling. This event led to Stallone being admitted to the hospital for several days.
Two key factors contributed to the severity of Stallone’s condition. Firstly, he had forewarned Lundgren to deliver a real punch, and secondly, he was not wearing a protective chest plate. This combination resulted in the punch inflicting critical damage. According to Stallone, he required his heart to be restarted twice, underlining the severity of the situation.
The Depth of the Injury
The exact extent of Stallone’s injury and the impact on his vital organs are documented in his medical records. An often-cited figure is that Stallone’s blood pressure reached 260, which certainly means his pressure was dangerously high. While not explicitly mentioned in the primary sources, it is safe to assume that his pressure exceeded 200, further emphasizing the severity of the impact.
The Fatal Possibility
Contrary to the popular belief that Stallone almost died, some sources suggest that his condition was indeed critical, but not life-threatening. In an interview, Stallone himself was rather cautious when discussing the severity, referring to it as a near-miss rather than a near-death experience.
Stallone’s near-miss incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of real-life physical activities in the pursuit of realistic movie scenes. He, along with the production team, had underestimated the risk of injury, primarily due to his amateur boxing experience and the disparity in physical attributes between him and Lundgren.
The Pre-Production Preparation
Stallone, an avid and aspiring boxer, had undergone some basic boxing training with Cus D'Amato, a former fight manager for Joe Louis. However, this training was limited and insufficient for the intense and professional nature of his fight scene in Rocky IV. Tragically, his inexperience led to him being unprepared for the real impact of a seasoned martial artist like Dolph Lundgren.
During the filming, without proper precautions, Stallone’s heart was severely affected, highlighting the na?veté and the risks associated with real-life fighting in the name of cinematic realism.
Conclusion
While the story of Sylvester Stallone nearly dying during the filming of Rocky IV is a controversial one, it is clear that his condition was serious. The incident serves as a critical lesson for filmmakers and enthusiasts alike, underlining the importance of proper safety measures and the accurate portrayal of realistic physical activity on screen.
The tale of Sylvester Stallone and his near-miss during the filming of Rocky IV stands as a testament to the dedication of actors and the potential risks they face in the service of cinematic truth.