F.I.S.T.

Between Rocky flicks, Sylvester Stallone took on the role of a different kind of fighter in F.I.S.T., an epic drama about the formation, frustrations and backdoor dealings of a 1930's labor union. Stallone portrayed Johnny Kovak, a factory worker who rallies his blue-collar buds to form the Federation of Inter-State Truckers (like the Teamsters). Stallone dukes it out with the mob, corporate goons and a sinister senator, and what starts out as a noble endeavor eventually – like all power struggles – gets corrupted. Released in 1978, the movie depicts the plight of the common man – familiar turf for Sly who made a career out of fighting the good fight. But Stallone, who's character ages 30 years over the course of this film, also gets to showcase the versatile actor often hidden behind his fist thrusts and stoic stare.