Tag Archives: stallone

A Legend in Pro Wrestling Also Had A Small Hollywood Career

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Terry funk was a legend in the professional ring. He truly loved the sport and wrestled well into his golden years. After his passing last month, fans have been coming together to share their favorite Terry funk stories and moments. Chainsaw Charlie has been mentioned more than a few times. Many are surprised to find out Funk had small career in Hollywood which included stunt work on Sylvester Stallone’s film Rocky III. Since there are already many stories out there dedicated to Funk’s life and career in the squared circle, FSM is ranking Terry Funk’s Top 4 Movie Roles:

4. The Ringer – In this 2005 comedy, Funk plays a debt collector who gets a little physical with the main character’s (Johnny Knoxville) uncle in order to get some cash that is owed.  

3. Road House – Funk appeared in the 1989 action film Road House in the role of Morgan, a tough bouncer and one of the henchmen working for the film’s antagonist, Brad Wesley, played by Ben Gazzara. Most notably, the film also stars Patrick Swayze as a bouncer named Dalton who is hired to clean up a rowdy bar. Terry Funk’s presence in the film certainly added to the action and intensity of some of the fight scenes.

2. Over the Top – Funk’s role in the 1987 Sylvester Stallone film Over the Top was the character Ruker, a fellow arm wrestler and antagonist to Stallone’s main character, Lincoln Hawk. Over the Top is a sports drama film centered around the world of professional arm wrestling, and Terry Funk’s appearance added to the fighting atmosphere of the movie. The film has become a bit of a cult classic over the years.

1. Paradise Alley – In the film, Terry Funk’s character, Frankie the Thumper, is a professional wrestler. Frankie is one of the wrestlers in the local wrestling circuit that the Carboni brothers, played by Sylvester Stallone (Cosmo), Armand Assante (Lenny), and Lee Canalito (Victor), are involved with. Frankie the Thumper is known for his wrestling skills and is part of the wrestling world that the Carboni brothers navigate as they pursue their dreams and get involved in various wrestling matches and events throughout the film. The film portrays their interactions and challenges within the wrestling community in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen during the 1940s. Funk also served as the stunt coordinator.

Which was your favorite Terry Funk movie? Did it make our list?

FSM Movies: Escape to Victory

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Sylvester Stallone is the gift that keeps on giving. Younger movie fans get the gift of discovering classic after classic as if each one was brand new. Older fans, who have the Rocky films memorized already, get the gift of quirky new projects and random appearances in things like the Marvel Universe. This review is more for the younger fans who may be aware that Stallone ended communism in Rocky IV but didn’t know he also helped end fascism by playing soccer in the movie Escape to Victory.

Headlined by the loveable Sir Michael Cane and directed by Hollywood legend John Huston, Victory was released to the masses in 1981. Since this film fell under the rare “War/Sport” genre, it made sense to cast Sylvester Stallone as he had recently played war hero John Rambo and boxing underdog Rocky Balboa.

In Victory, Stallone plays a World War II era prisoner-of-war named Captain Robert Hatch. He spends most days watching the cooler prisoners kick a soccer ball around before ending up as the team’s unlikely goalkeeper. These cooler prisoners were made up of actual soccer stars of the time such as Pelé, Bobby Moore, and Robin Turner.

For some strange reason in the film, a high-ranking Nazi officer played by Max von Sydow thinks it would be great for morale around the world to have these allied prisoners-of-war (who happen to be really really good at soccer) play an exhibition match against a German super team. Of course, the match is intended to be used as propaganda and perhaps a symbol of how Germany would crush the allies in war. Movie fans can probably guess that Stallone, Caine, and the rest of the allies put up a heck of a fight on the field. But a dilemma arises when the players have a chance to escape. This is when the movie gets especially enjoyable.

Victory is a pleasant ride from start to finish. The film presents many WW-II themes but with a lighter touch – something that’s perfect for a war movie about soccer! Additionally, the great chemistry of all cast members is evident from the opening few scenes. Stallone shines in a role that may have been written with him in mind. Pelé seems like a natural actor. The other professional footballers don’t try too hard (in a good way). And Michael Caine and Max von Sydow absolutely carry the movie. A younger Caine brings his spunky energy as the leader of the allies while von Sydow’s acting almost makes you feel bad for a Nazi.

While the subject matter and era are taken seriously, Victory feels like it could be the child of The Dirty Dozen and The Replacements. It’s not quite a war or sports movie and doesn’t necessarily try to inform the viewer of anything that’s not already known. But it’s a fun story you’ve probably never experienced before. Its ending is also one of the most underrated endings in sports movie history (no spoilers here except that Stallone is involved).

FSM Final Grade: B

Click here to purchase Victory today!