Rambo - First Blood  (1982)

To his Mum he's John, to his Dad simply J, but to the rest of us, this one man fighting machine is known only as... Rambo. Based on David Morrell's Novel, and directed by Ted Kotcheff, First Blood sees Rambo back from Vietnam and searching; searching for answers. Rambo has become a vagabond, a Green Beret in a country that doesn't care and doesn't want him there. First Blood is Kotcheff's Reaganite response to High Noon, just as Rio Bravo was for Howard Hawks, only this time we have moved forward 30 years and small town America isn't like it use to be. Brian Dennehy stars as the Sheriff Will Teasle, hell bent on keeping the peace, being Gary Cooper. But this is post Vietnam, Reagan era film making, the establishment can no longer be Gary Cooper, the Establishment turned into Lee Van Cleef. Rambo is the one man army, he doesn't want to kill, he doesn't want to be pushed around, he just wants to eat. But the Sheriff and his establishemnt soon find out what happens when you stop a wild animal from eating and this is where Rambo replaces small town America for Small town Vietnam. After some one-sided scuffles we realise the Establishment can't handle the starving beast, the beast who seeks peace. So an unwanted visitor arrives, promises to help, knows Rambo inside out, taught him everything he knows, can put the beast back on the straight -and-narrow, in comes Colonel Samuel Trautman; but in classic fashion they don't want to listen to Uncle Sam, small town Vietnam can handle their own problems and small town Vietnam want to handle their own problems. The small town forgot it was Uncle Sam who created Rambo and its Uncle Sam who must stop Rambo. First Blood is action, it's gung ho, it's sentimental and at times it's absurd but it is Rambo at his best. Before Afghanistan and Burma, before the pen was truly replaced by the sword and Rambo became invincible, First Blood is a great tonic to these heady times. Sit back, enjoy and watch Uncle Sam control his beast.

Truly underrated, and a film that stays with the viewer long after. Stallone plays it perfectly, as the ex veteran, who gets picked for vagrancy. The hostility shown to a man who fought for his country, shows the extreme prejudice within our society and the film plays upon this right until the end. Absolutely 1st class acting, directing and genius screenplay, based on the David Morell novel. The musical score is simply tremendous, and is addictive and rewarding on its own merits. For me, this is Stallone’s finest achievement, and classed as very serious film indeed. Outstanding in every respect.

The first ?Rambo? film is something of an oxymoron insofar as it?s a reasonably intelligent, well thought out and possibly even subtle action adventure movie. Definitely in this regard it?s way above average.

Sure, it has more than its fair share of shootings and explosions and naturally these more than satisfy at a visceral level. But more than that, it?s also got a pretty clever plot to it.

Stallone?s mono-syllabic ?nam veteran provides an interesting and unusual hero but for my money it?s the small town police chief - rankled by Rambo?s reputation as a one man killing machine and hell bent on teaching him a lesson - who provides the more interesting (and sinister) character.

In any case, ?Rambo? is a thoughtful action film and ? unusual for it?s genre ? not particular gratuitous in its use of violence.

There?s more to it than meets the eye but it?s also great popcorn fodder.

could watch this film over and over again. one of his best films

I hadn't seen this movie for ages and was pleasantly surprised by the DVD. Far better than its sequels - there's a story and half decent characters as well as some good action sequences. It?s not going to blow your mind, but it?s aged well for 1982 film and it?s an enjoyable way to spend 90 minutes, especially combined with beer and a pizza.

One of my all time classics, truly well made and well thought out. John Rambo escapes from jail and thats where the story all starts........this is one of them movies you would watch again and again.....true classic. RENT IT!!

Saw this film for the first time on some dodgy video back in the 80's.

Stalones performance as John Rambo, is amazing, hardman with a concious and the scene where he pours his heart out makes you realise that at some time all men no matter how tough they are, cried.

Excellent, pure and above all hits home the reality of what men and women had to endure during the vietnam war.

Stallone's finest moment in my opinion. A simple, sparse action film a world away from today's Sfx-fests. If you're thinking of renting T3, get this instead, just avoid the inferior sequels like the plague.

Excellent action movie. Stallone is a Vietnam war veteran who gets hassled by a local sheriff, and a small-town war ensures.

Unlike the spectcle of a lot of other Stallone films, the action here has some credibility and point to it.

There is also an emotional basis for the film in the Vietnam-USA-like battle between Rambo and the redneck Sheriff, and this gives the film an added depth that is lacking in the other Rambo / Rocky movies.

Despite the banal conclusions about conflict etc, this really is an excellent watch.

Check it out!

Forget Rocky with all its American patriotism and we're better than you lot (Rocky IV against the Russians) mentality this is Stallone's finest film. Going from vicious hunter to broken man hearing him tell how he lost his friends in Vietnam and how he was treated by the American public when he returned home is heartbreaking. Shame they spoilt it by making two sequels.

AN ALL ROUND ACTION PACKED FILM.

The best and to be honest the only still watchable Rambo flic would recommend it

Rambo is an excellent movie very entertaining lots of gore and action good acting by Sylvester Stallone.

A surprisingly impressive film, which has aged very well indeed. Although it appears at one level to be an all-action shooting-fest, it is also a thoughtful commentary on America's post-Vietnam trauma, and a move away from the cerebral, ponderous 1970s movies - 'The Deer Hunter', 'Coming Home', and even 'Apocalypse Now'.
By returning to the simple idea of a lone action-oriented hero, this movie caught the imagination of a new generation of film-goers (much to the annoyance of the high-brow critics), and paved the way for such films as 'Die Hard'.
Stallone gives a great performance, from the quiet veteran at the start, through the action man who nonetheless hurts when he falls over, to the desperate and confused Vietman victim at the end.
One message is that America has not come to terms with its failure in Vietnam, and still wants to impose a conformist, narrow "imperialist" view of the world, rather than genuinely searching itself and learning.
But no need to get too philosophical when the action is so powerful...

This was the first of the Rambo collection and in my opinion the best!! I could watch this film over and over again.

Excelent viewing, Rocky plays a rather ugly looking John Rambo who at the hands of a nasty sheiff suffers so much abuse, he begins a one man-ed war. I loved it, Plenty of action violence.

By far the best Rambo. Good action and half decent story even if the morallity of it gets lost in the action and story line as it nears the end.

ultimate film. great action sequences, great acting from stallone, as usual.
enjoyable from start to finish...

Its a shame that such a good film had such bad sequels. John Rambo should of died at the end like the original book ending. Rent it you may be pleasantly surprised.

you can not help loving this old film it is simply the best

a decent enough production considering its age. The old ones are always the best, where everything is 'real', no special effects. Stallone for once is convincing and the story has something of interest and keeps you attached til the end. all in all, worth a watch :)

Still great to see the movies that Made Sly Stallone famous. Along with the Rocky movies (Which I did'nt like not being into boxing) These *one man American army* are pretty well filmed, With John Rambo being very well equipped for the job in hand...Basically wiping out an army single-handed. Great action packed movie!

Cannot put down Stallone in this film, come on hes still making great films, excellant actor! Hats off to you mate!

great sly film. one of his best. this is the role he is meant to play

good old fashioned action adventure built around a moral tale of poor 'ole Nam vets (not doctors for cats). Sly is ace.

great classic film and one of slys best. I thought he was trained to soak up all that pain and take it like a man not cry like a girl......

This is by far and away Sylvester Stallone's finest hour. (Not that he has that many great hours) The story is gritty and at the time very topical. The abandonment of the vietnam vets was a shameful disgrace that America should be very saddened by. Brian Dennehy puts in a great performance as the rubbish sheriff, and the action and violence meeted out to his hapless deputies is brutal and yet brought upon themselves by swagger and bravado, not realising that they are facing the ultimate killing machine, JOHN RAMBO. Tremendous fun though the ending is not the greatest. I preferred the book cos they kill him. Still you can't hold a dreadful Hollywood sequel down.

Haven't seen this for a long time, but its still a gripping film! Full of tension and Stallone grunting (not such a good thing)! A really good story, although not as good as the book! Definitely worth a watch!

Been a few years since I watched Sly in rambo and fancied watching it again to see if some of the old films are as good as the present with basic special effects.

Really enjoyable old style action,, guns, fighting etc If you like films like Terminator, Red Scorpion, Rocky you will probably enjoy this one like I did!

Great film. He should not have made any more after this one. Cos it would have definitely become a cult movie. This movie has it all; action, well thought out plot, great cast and acting. After all these years I still enjoyed it.

This isn’t just a movie, this is an incredible movie. Personally I don’t care for the 'vet' issue, but for more like any ordinary person. Here is a guy walking down the highway who wants to get something to eat, and then comes along the Sheriff. It was right on the money, let’s face it; have you ever met a nice cop? It is true, society can drive a person to do what John J Rambo did in this movie. I think its more a lesson to the cops that being judgemental is wrong. Who were the cops to judge John J Rambo for walking down the highway wearing a jacket because he's a vet? All he wanted was something to eat, and he would have moved on...but no, like all cops out there, they brought on the war themselves when they pushed an innocent man to insanity with accusations and lies...What a pleasurable ending with the M16 shooting of the sheriffs station, I hope someday more people stand up to themselves, especially if you're innocent, then show the world that the justice system just doesn’t work and society is responsible for its own actions.

I guess memories are better left as memories, kids enjoyed the action, but ti's aged for too much for adults.

A classic from the 80s, even if your not a stallone fan this is worth a watch. Could have been a better ending but hey it was the 80s.

The first part in the Rambo series is by far the best and most realistic. In this one, Rambo is allowed to show some character and reason as to why he acts the way he does. Instead of being sent to mow down a group of people he has never met, he is provoked firstly by some redneck police in a small town and this leads him to wreak havoc on his tormentors. This film is still recommended to those who found later versions of the Rambo series over the top.

This for me is one of stallones best films (not forgetting ROCKY I & II) This is a classic which can be watched more and more. Full of action, with a story.....what more can you ask for.

Ramo first blood is a great movie and one that i could watch time and time again. There is a well thought out and a excelent action adventure movie. It's full of explosions and alot of gun play and a good plot that is easy to follow. Sylvester Stallone takes to the role of John Rambo, a shell-shocked Vietnam vet adrift in the Pacific Northwest. Harassed by an unsympathetic small-town sheriff brings on nasty flashbacks of torture at the hands of the Viet Cong; after busting out of the jail where he has been unjustly imprisoned, our psychically-scarred hero vows to get revenge on the ungrateful sheriff. Before blowing the sheriff and his town away, however, Rambo must use his jungle smarts to elude the relentless posse of state troopers and National Guard troops who pursue him through the forest.

I absolutely loved this film. It has to be said that Rambo 1 and Rambo 4 are by far the best. Sly has still got it and he is the most amazing actor. If only he was a few years younger...mind you, even that isn't putting me off. ANYHOO, back to the film, it was planned and thought out very well, great action and I loved the ending where he breaks down. Shows even the toughest of men can have a good old cry. Brilliant. Watch it. Now :-D

Alway a good watch is Rambo!

Very good film in fact it's probably stallones best film ever. I've got this on video at home. The only difference, is that the videos 92 minutes long and the dvds only 89 minutes long so thats why I rented the dvd before buying it cos I noticed that on some dvds I've replaced videos with is that theres some bit snipped out and that the film is a few minutes shorter than the video version. And I'm not sure but think there was a few bits snipped out, or am I mistaken.

Stalone at his moody best in his iconic role. First Blood is the archetypal escape and survive in the woods, which even has at its heart an emotional centre.

Its Rambo, Enough said. Timeless war vet film, acting still holds. Only the 'robocop' ammo / Spray fire shows this film for its age. Not for those who don't like military films.

As with most franchises this started great then fell apart in the sequels. The first Rambo film had a great story, a great choice in cinematography and good characters (though they've not dated well) which the series has never managed to replicate since. The set up is great a Vietnam vetarn turns up in a remote town to meet an old comrade only to find out that his friend is dead and that the locals don't take kindly to vetarns turning up. Once the scene is set all hell breaks loose in the hills and finally the town, though its surprisingly bloodless. Shame they never managed to better this effort.

old classic never seen a bad stallone movie always enjoyed em... shame the sound is old dolby really needs remastering... but still enjoyable

got to be one of the best

I had been told by friends from work to watch this as it is the 80's film to watch. It's not really my kind of film but it was very good, the action was there and the story line was good and Rambo can deal with just about anything!!!

This film shows all too well the truth behind what has happened to too many of the Vietnam vet's. It is brilliantly portrayed by Stallone and Dennehy, my only problem with this film was that, having read the book before I knew there was a film, the ending spoilt it for me. The film is faithful to the book until Rambo catches the sherrif. The explosive and conclusive ending that says it all is missing. There again, if they'd have put the real ending in they couldn't have made any more Rambo films!!!!! Still, I thought it was brilliant and just ignore the ending anyway.

Typical action film. Very good if a little dated. Better than some of his other films anyway. A good action tale if you like that kinda thing.

This is a good all round action/violence film, with no real point, but is alot better than I ever thought it was going to be! A bit random in places - I liked the motorbike encounter and the transformation from man to machine! Nothing like the newest Rambo film, so well worth a watch even if you hated the new one!

good film worth watching i think one of only films that get better each one they bring out not worse

If I'd have seen this at the time of its release I imagine I'd have loved it. However, having only seen it for the first time recently, it all just seems silly. Fortunately though, it's silly in a good way - fast paced, inventive, stupidly OTT and full of dumb action. The actual plot made absolutely no sense and was really just an excuse to have Stallone skulk around in a forest being a one man hunting machine. And he does it brilliantly with a thankful lack of dialog (until his long and rather embarrassing speech at the end). It's not made me eager to watch any of the sequels but it's a good, entertaining stand-alone film in its own right.

A smashing movie from Rambo....

another good film if you like the one man army thought of thing.

1st off, I loved this film, but it is nothing like the novel written by David Morrell. In Morrell's book, Rambo is a lot more sadistic and the body count is more like the 4TH Rambo movie, also at the end Trautman kills Rambo. Now, quite publicly Stallone admits that he changed it to how we now know it because off the back of the Rocky success, people didn't want to see the loveable 'Italian Stallion' slaying hundreds of police officers (right or wrong). It also proved quite prudent as it obviously turned into a career making franchise with 3 sequels. Read the book 1st but then forget what you've read. Both the book and the movie are spectacular!

I liked this film in the sense that it was completely original for the time but these days there are greater action films, which are easily less farfetched and unrealistic than this, but still satisfy the action side of the film. Die hard for example completely Unrealistic but at least when john mclane falls or gets shot he suffers wound, I know rambo is a baddass but surely a rocket launcher being fired about an inch away from you would hurt anyone severly? Or he is really lucky? This film also portarys typical america- I mean the government sends about 3 regiments of the national guard to deal with one guy? I mean that just completley obscence. However i am probably missing the point talking about realism because thats probably what this film was made for just for a guy whose whole intention is to kill people who disturb him? another thing i found was that the flashbacks to the prison camps in vietnam are a bit rubbery they dont make you feel as tho he was really there. Also stallone is crap in the talking bits but he (or his stunt double) is great in the action parts. overall this film will more than satisfy anyones lust for some action but however next time you see it you will have forgotten most, its not that memerable...

I know some say SS can't act-but I think he's great in this fast-paced thriller with brilliant music, photography and mountainous forrest locations. Brian Dennehy (Sherriff) learns the hardway and like Rambo says 'Let it go!' - that's exactly what he should have done, but we have great fun watching Rambo get justifiable revenge. Already looking forward to seeing it again-----especially in Blu-Ray!

brilliant beginning to a fantastic trilogy well worth seeing all the movies if you like a good bit of action.

SLY IS CURRENTLY MAKING A NEW RAMBO FILM (2005)AGE 59. DON'T PUSH HIM OR HE'LL GIVE YOU A SMACK WITH HIS ZIMMER FRAME, HE HAS NO TEETH ANY MORE BUT HE'LL GIVE YOU A NASTY SUCK