The greatest romantic movie of all time was released 37 years ago, and it’s one that I’m betting many people haven’t considered.

Romantics and critics alike will notice that “Casablanca,” “Annie Hall” and “Punch-Drunk Love” do no not fit that bill.

But “Rocky” does.

Actually, it’s not a love movie at all and was never meant to be.

Sylvester Stallone wrote an underdog story about an amateur boxer and “leg-breaker for some cheap, second-rate loan shark” who gets a shot to fight Apollo Creed, the heavy weight champion of the world.

So how is it the greatest love movie of all time?

Because Adrian got in the ring.

Though she’s part of a sub plot and arguably minor character, Adrian Pennino makes the film.

Rocky may be struggling to make rent while training to fight the greatest boxer in the world, but his biggest challenge, and subsequent victory, is getting a date with Adrian.

When she finally agrees, it’s Thanksgiving day and everything is closed, including the skating rink he takes her to. He bribes the staff on duty to allow them to skate, but only has enough cash left over to rent a single pair of skates, which he gives to Adrian.

Rocky doesn’t start skating on thin ice until after they leave the rink when he asks Adrian to come to his apartment.

“I don’t belong here,” she says over and over, divulging that she has never been alone in a man’s apartment before. He tells her it’s OK and takes of her glasses and hat.

“I always knew you were beautiful,” he tells her.

“Don’t tease me,” she replies.

He kisses her.

These scenes are few and far between in Rocky. Their scarcity, subtlety and realness as compared to true romance films makes them even more delicious.

As the film progresses, Adrian comes out of her shell, but Rocky is torn between spending time with her and training for a fight that he doesn’t think he’ll win.

“Women weaken legs,” his trainer tells him. But Rocky has more problems than training can fix — he needs Adrian as much as he does his gloves.

“I dunno, she’s got gaps, I got gaps, together we fill gaps,” he said about her.

The night before Rocky takes on Apollo Creed, the most important event of his life so far, Rocky is cuddling with Adrian when he confesses that he doesn’t care if he doesn’t win and doesn’t expect to.

All he wants to do is “go the distance with Creed,” to prove to himself and to her that he’s somebody.

He makes it through all 15 rounds becoming the first person to knock Creed down in the process, but loses the fight in a split decision.

Bloodied and bruised when the bell rings, he is rushed by reporters and supporters. Microphones and lights fill his swollen eyes, but all he can see is Adrian. She is running to the ring, too, but loses her hat in the process.

While the whole world is looking at Rocky and asking him how he feels, he looks at Adrian and asks her where her hat is.

His entire life, everything he trained for is not as important as the headwear of the woman he loves.

In that moment at least, nothing matters to Rocky except Adrian.

This isn’t a movie about a guy proving something to a woman, or sacrificing something for a girl. It’s about a man proving himself and ultimately not caring because he’s in love.

And that’s why it’s my favorite love movie of all time.­­­

jtaylor@kykernel.com.