10 Most Surprising Underdog Oscar Victories
4. Rocky
It’s no big secret that the John G. Avildsen directed boxing drama
Rocky was the surprise hit of 1976. Penned by star Sylvester Stallone in just
three and a half days and filmed on a relatively modest budget of just over $1
million, the movie went on to gross $225 million worldwide and since 2006 has resided
in the Library of Congress’s National Film Registry for its cultural
significance.
Its success at the 49th Academy Awards was Rocky’s most surprising triumph, however. Mirroring the movie’s rags to riches tale of a Philadelphian underdog come good, Rocky was nominated for a total of ten Oscars and scooped three including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Film Editing.
Rocky’s Oscar victories were all the more unexpected considering the calibre of the films it was up against. The critically acclaimed All the President’s Men, Network and Taxi Driver were all nominated for Best Picture too but it was Rocky that boxed its way to glory on the night.