Dolph Lundgren "Ivan Drago" Personal, Hand-Annotated Shooting Script from Rocky IV (United Artists, 1985). ...

Description

Dolph Lundgren "Ivan Drago" Personal, Hand-Annotated Shooting Script from Rocky IV (United Artists, 1985). Original studio printed 104-page multi-color revision page Final Shooting Script written by Sylvester Stallone and dated on the interior cover page "March 4, 1985" and "Rev: 5/28/85". This was actor Dolph Lungren's personal copy of his on set shooting script, housed in a 3-ring binder and including loose call sheets, studio memoranda, calendar, handwritten papers with notes non pronunciation, ab exercises, etc., for Lundgren's 2nd film appearance and 1st featured role. At the back of the folder are bound envelopes handwritten, "Fight", "Russian", and "Call" containing printed and annotated pages of fight choreography, Russian language (as Lundgren was Swedish playing the Russian fighter) and assembled call sheets. Throughout the shooting script are many handwritten character annotations by Lundgren, including, on page 44 during his fight with "Apollo Creed" (Carl Weathers):
"DRAGO'S CORNER Drago returns to his corner with an air of supreme confidence. Rimsky speaks forcefully to him in Russian., about how hard Apollo Creed hits... Drago gives a nonchalant shrug and eyes the stunned audience." Lundgren writes: "Feel the butchery. Stare at Rocky. Feel uncomfortable with my strength."
During the climactic fight between "Drago (Lungren) "Rocky" (Stallone), Lundgren's notes include:
"Round two. Worried Smile. Cut: fear!! Very hysterically. 'What if I lose"? In front of my friends."
As the fight progresses:
"AUDIENCE: The Soviet Premier and his delegation redden as the THUNDEROUS CHANTING REVERBERATES throughout the arena. The BELL RINGS, and the fighters move to the center of the ring and begrudgingly touch gloves. DRAGO I will beat you, you bastard." Lundgren writes: "Please let me win."
"RING: Rocky slams Drago, who returns the punishment with equal intensity." Lundgren writes: "(Crying, animal sound)"
Finally, when Drago is defeated, Lundgren writes: "close-up: small smile (natural) did my best nothing left for me in Russia. Know that I will defect."
Exhibiting production handling, age, and minor soiling. Rocky IV arrived at a time when the American audience was obsessed with our own Russian conflicts and is a product of that era. It was also the movie that saw the death of "Apo0llo Creed" (Weathers), who had become a staple of the franchise. The movie is a time capsule of the making of one of the favorite entries in the Rocky legacy, and comes from the personal experience of the actor who arguably played the most memorable adversary to ever grace the scene in any boxing movie. In Very Good to Fine condition. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions.

Heritage Auctions provides detailed information when available but strongly encourages in-person inspection. Condition statements and photographs are offered as general guidance only, not as complete representations of facts, and do not constitute a warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Framed artworks are not examined outside their frames, and additional details from Heritage may be unavailable; therefore, the condition of unexamined works is not guaranteed. Heritage is not responsible for damage to frames, glazing, original boxes, display materials, or for works that have shifted within the frame. All lots are sold "AS IS" in accordance with our Terms & Conditions of Auction.