Matte artist Chesley Bonestell created the extraordinary matte paintings used in the film to recreate Notre Dame Cathedral and medieval Paris.Both remarked hat they were using fake names.Revealing his close attention o detail, Tony then mentioned that Lesgate had switched from smoking "rather expensive cigars" at college to a pipe.Rocky (1976)d.John G.Avildsen, 119 minutesFilm Plot SummaryThe film opened on November 25, 1975 with a low-paying boxing match in Philadelphia between bull-necked Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and his opponent Spider Rico.Audiences, critics and the studio (before its release) viewed the film""s subject matter as sensational, controversial, daring, and starkly real.Listen, I""ll give a performance tonight that will make you proud of me."Backstage in her dressing room following her brilliant and triumphant debut performance, she was first congratulated by her middle-aged wardrobe woman Nellie Navarre (Helen Ware): "Your performance, my dear, was inspirational.