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Rambo: First Blood (1982)

First Blood is simply one of the best films ever made. I think it transcends the action film genre and has stood the test of time. Stallone was immensely popular back in the 80′s and if it is true that he hated the first cut of the film, then one can only say that he is lucky that he didn’t get his wish to scrap the entire thing.

John Rambo is first introduced to us as he is walking into a small town to look for a friend of his that he served in Vietnam with. Upon discovering that he contracted cancer coming back from the war, Rambo wanders aimlessly into town. He is greeted by a small town overzealous sheriff named Will Teasle, played wonderfully by Brian Denehy. He at first tells Rambo that he will help him out and give him a ride. When Rambo asks if he can find a good place to eat, Teasle directs him to a diner about 10 miles up the highway. Rambo asks if there is a law against him eating in the town, Teasle, says yea, me. This sets up the premise as Rambo begins walking back into town. Arrested for vagrancy, Rambo is taken to the local jail and we meet some of the local redneck officers, notably, a young David Caruso, who seems to be the only one who empathizes with Rambo. Finally, he escapes the jail and takes the entire small town sheriff department and the military on a hunt into the local “jungle.”

First Blood has strength of character. It has frenetic action scenes and every actor in the film is at the top of their game. Samuel Trautman, Rambo’s mentor and former Colonel in the war, is played by Richard Crenna as a no nonsense but empathetic man. He knows Rambo has pushed back a little too hard but he understands where his plight comes from. He wants to avoid more bloodshed but at the same time he doesn’t completely agree with how Rambo has been treated. He is obviously a law abiding citizen, but he knows that not all the laws were upheld when dealing with Rambo.

Sylvester Stallone is RAMBO. There is no one else that could play him. Just like Harrison Ford embodies Indiana Jones and Bruce Willis is John McClane, Stallone is about as good as he has ever been here. He is quiet, he is strong and his physicality creates a character that many of us can empathize with and eventually root for. David Morell wrote a different character in his book but Stallone paints him more as a sympathetic character. He is correct in doing so. While Morell’s vision is still present, this is more of Stallone’s creation. Rambo is about as unique a character present in film history.

First Blood is a film released in 1982, but in my opinion it set a new standard for action film stars. I think James Bond was pretty much your standard action film star before that. He was smooth and debonair and nothing went wrong for him. Rambo, at least in First Blood, is realistic. He bleeds, he cries, and he wears his emotion on his sleeve. This is someone that many of us could and can relate to. The sequels made him larger than life and that is fine, but this small film done by the Carolco guys is about as perfect a film as you can get.

10/10

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Sylvester Stallone interview for Rambo

Rambo: First Blood, Part 2 Movie Poster (11 x 17 Inches – 28cm x 44cm) (1985) Style D -(Sylvester Stallone)(Richard Crenna)(Charles Napier)(Steven Berkoff)(Julia Nickson-Soul)(Martin Kove) $5.29 Rambo: First Blood, Part 2 Poster (11 x 17 Inches – 28cm x 44cm) (1985) Style D reproduction poster print CAST: Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna, Charles Napier, Steven Berkoff, Julia Nickson-Soul, Martin Kove; DIRECTED BY: George P. Cosmatos; PRODUCER: Tri-Star Pictures;…

Rambo: First Blood, Part 2 Poster Movie B 11×14 Sylvester Stallone Richard Crenna Charles Napier Rambo: First Blood, Part 2 reproduction Approx. Size: 11 x 14 Inches – 28cm x 36cm Style B mini poster print Pop Culture Graphics, Inc is Amazon’s largest source for movie and TV show memorabilia, posters and more: Offering tens of thousands of items to choose from. We also offer a full selection of framed posters.. Customer satisfaction is always guaranteed when you buy from Pop Culture Graphics,…

Rambo: First Blood, Part 2 Movie Poster (11 x 14 Inches – 28cm x 36cm) (1985) Style E -(Sylvester Stallone)(Richard Crenna)(Charles Napier)(Steven Berkoff)(Julia Nickson-Soul)(Martin Kove) $5.29 Rambo: First Blood, Part 2 Poster (11 x 14 Inches – 28cm x 36cm) (1985) Style E reproduction poster print CAST: Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna, Charles Napier, Steven Berkoff, Julia Nickson-Soul, Martin Kove; DIRECTED BY: George P. Cosmatos; PRODUCER: Tri-Star Pictures;…

Stallone: Music From The Films Of Sylvester Stallone $16.98 …

Action & Suspense Screen Themes [Japan Import] Out of print, import collection of movie soundtrack music, from films including: First Blood (Rambo), The Protector, The Golden Boy, The summertime killer, Zorro, Les Grands Chemins, The bounty killer, Zombie, Fort Saganne, Never say never again, and others. 20 tracks in total. King Records Japan (catalog: K30Y-4026)….

First Blood (Rambo 1) [VHS] $1.49 It’s easy to forget that this Spartan, violent film, which begat the Rambo series, was such a big hit in 1982 because it was a good movie. Green Beret vet John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) wanders into the wrong small town to find a fellow ‘Nam buddy and gets the living heck kicked out of him by the local law enforcement (led by Brian Dennehy). The vet strikes back the only way he knows how, leading…

Rambo 1: First Blood [VHS] $9.93 It’s easy to forget that this Spartan, violent film, which begat the Rambo series, was such a big hit in 1982 because it was a good movie. Green Beret vet John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) wanders into the wrong small town to find a fellow ‘Nam buddy and gets the living heck kicked out of him by the local law enforcement (led by Brian Dennehy). The vet strikes back the only way he knows how, leading…

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Rambo: The Complete Collector’s Set [Blu-ray] $32.19 Studio: Lions Gate Home Ent. Release Date: 07/27/2010 Run time: 386 minutes Rating: R…

Rambo – The Complete Collector’s Set (First Blood – Ultimate Edition / Rambo – First Blood Part II – Ultimate Edition / Rambo III – Ultimate Edition / John Rambo – Special Edition) $24.96 For over 25 years, Sylvester Stallone’s “mythic commando” Rambo (Variety) has thrilled audiences worldwide. From “ragged and flashy” First Blood (The New York Times) to the “shockingly entertaining” Rambo (The Seattle Times), the series chronicles a reluctant killing machine as he wages war against corrupt global forces – all while facing a battle within his own soul. Rambo: The Complete Col…