{"product_id":"9781476655949","title":"\"All I wanna do is go the distance\": Essays on the Rocky Franchise and Its Enduring Cultural Impact","description":"\u003cp\u003e   If any film has gone the distance, it's \u003ci\u003eRocky\u003c\/i\u003e (1976), which spawned one of the longest running franchises in film history. Released in America's bicentennial year, \u003ci\u003eRocky\u003c\/i\u003e, 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, \u003ci\u003eRocky\u003c\/i\u003e 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e  \u003ci\u003eRocky\u003c\/i\u003e 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, \u003ci\u003eRocky\u003c\/i\u003e and its sequels retain their power to rouse audiences well into the twenty-first century and continue to inspire audiences, athletes, and filmmakers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"McFarland \u0026 Company, Inc., Publishers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46763451908337,"sku":"9781476655949","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0674\/5433\/7265\/files\/9781476655949_p0.jpg?v=1765458227","url":"https:\/\/shop.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781476655949","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble","version":"1.0","type":"link"}