Bronze statue of Rocky Balboa at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, created by A. Thomas Schomberg, as commissioned by Sylvester Stallone. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Ah, the underdog. The person or being that has to go up against harsh odds to come out on top and prove to the world and himself that he is just as good as the top guns.
Remember Underdog the cartoon? He was a little geeky dog that sprung into action to help his love interest Polly Purebred when she victimized by the evil Riff Raff.
My favorite underdog of all time is Rocky. I am partial to the movie because it was filmed in my home town of Philadelphia, but more so I love when the underdog wins.
My top three Underdog Movies:
3. Braveheart - William Wallace goes on a tear of vengeance after the English kill his new wife. One of my votes for most violent movie of all time.
2. The Karate Kid – Here’s a movie that is the epitome of being the new kid in a town full of jerks. Daniel Larusso moves to a new town and has to put up with bullies. He meets Mr. Miyagi who makes Daniel do tons of tedious chores “wax on – wax off” that frustrate Daniel. All he wants to do is kick Pretty Boy Blondie’s ass. And he does.
1. Rocky – Of course Rocky! Sylvester Stallone is my hero in this for more than the obvious reasons. He wrote this screenplay and refused to let anyone play the lead in it except himself. How is that for balls? Rocky is just a regular Shmoe who goes up against Apollo Creed (Rocky was supposed to lose the fight). Rocky goes toe to toe for fifteen rounds with Apollo. This movie won three Oscars. Three!
Underdogs teach us that sometimes all we need is heart and determination to get through anything.
Do you recall a time in your life when you were an underdog? How about someone else?
Was the underdog for years – that shy quiet kid that was always in a corner reading. Missed out on sports, but was in a brainy HS for 9-10. Went to a small town then, a sports school. Brains were not cool – failure was the new norm. So – having learned to be chameleon – I did failure just fine.
Always felt like an underdog until my 40′s – divorce and a new job helped. Lots of confidence now – just a little late.
If you liked Braveheart, a related book is The Forest Laird – http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/books/article1761635.ece I quite enjoyed it.
Hey Mike – thanks so much for stopping by and sharing a part of your story.. I’ll have to check that book out..
Who doesn’t love an underdog? I’ve been to that spot in Philly and run those stairs. We tried to keep count as we ran up them but it was too hard! I’ve been an underdog in terms of getting into a competitive graduate school program, but I “doggedly” pursued it and got in my second year trying! Great post.
Good job on graduate school!
yeah, those steps are tough… I’ll go down this summer and I’ll try to count them!
I actually didn’t know all that about the Rocky movies, and I’ve never seen them. I guess it’s time, huh? I’ve always been the underdog but I’ve always enjoyed my status as “other.”
Hey Doree.. yeah, Sylvester Stallone is definitely a motivational person in my book of “people who make me want to live a better life”. He actually only wrote the first one. It’s worth checking out. Definitely a character driven plot.
i have been the underdog for almost four years firstly the legal system the probation services the courts the mental health services and now the cqc and middleton st george hospital-all for the love and rights of my stepdaughter-they under estimated my determination because i could not match them financially but i will not ever surrender.
Oh, Mike… you are in my thoughts and prayers. Good for you fighting for your step-daughter. I wish you the best…
n the words of Winston Churchill.. “Never, Never, Never Give Up.”
thank you
i feel like an underdog now trying to get the attention of an agent for my books – but i haven’t really tried yet. i’m just learning about queries and pitches and such, and i’m waiting to get a review back from publishers weekly, which i should have later today, and that will probably help. but – no – the underdog doesn’t always win. if they did, then there wouldn’t be underdogs.
Hey Rich! I think you’re going to do well. I enjoy your writing. And you’re right, the underdog does not always win.. But it sure is awesome when they do!
Yes’m, I agree! I love to cheer for the underdog, and yes, I remember the Underdog cartoon!
I recall many times when I was the underdog, and those times taught me to never say never, and that I could do anything I thought I could do. I think I might just drag some of those memories out of the old storage bin of my mind and write some stories! Thanks for the inspiration!
Hey Charles!
Underdog rocks! Good luck with your stories.. 
I hope to be able to read them..
Writers especially love the role of the underdog. We spend so many years being one.
So true, Caleb. The protagonist in my WIP is an underdog…
Thanks for stopping by,
Hee hee. I’ve been an underdog all my life. All through school I was that kid that was made fun of all the time. In Jr. High and High school P.E., no one wanted to pick me for any sports because I sucked (I did, really, except in volleyball. Then they were afraid of me.
). I only had 3 dates in HS, all of which were complete and utter disasters. Someone else at work always got the ‘highest achiever’ award no matter how hard I worked, and I managed to marry two men who managed to make me feel completely alone and unloved. All this coupled with so many rejections for my writing and it’s a wonder I’m still fighting, but fighting I am, because I know I’m special. I know I’m worth something. I know I have or will make a difference to someone, somewhere, and I know I’ll succeed, no matter what anyone else says. To quote Helen Reddy: “I am strong. I am invincible. I am woman.” The underdog always wins, right?
k: Good for you for never giving up. I can relate to being in a relationship with someone who made me feel less than. Took me years to let that go.
Have a great day, k.
Keep fighting.. don’t quit!!