First Blood (1982)

First Blood (1982)

In 1982, First Blood introduced audiences from all over the world the man we know as John Rambo, played by Sylvester Stallone. This is an action film, but the movie is not seen as an action film, but more of a “survival wilderness” movie that allows for ripe characterization. Unlike the sequels that follow which depict Rambo as a cold-blooded killing machine, we get a man dehumanized by his exploits in the Vietnam War and someone we can sympathize with because of the events that occur. It is because we have such a character, is why we have an above-average action film. The film itself explores nothing new, but the themes remain powerful and provoking all the same. The Vietnam War took a lot out of the military and the people of the United States in general, and films from the 1970’s and 1980’s take these issues to heart. This is also what elevates the movie above average action fare.

Stallone portrays John Rambo, a former Green Beret. He wanders to a town in the state of Washington to visit a friend of his. As he enters town, he is picked up by the police chief, Teasle (Brian Dennehy). Teasle seems willing to help him out at first, but that ends when Rambo asks where he can get a bite to eat. The chief sends him to a diner ten miles outside of town. Rambo does not take to kindly to that and comes back to town where he is placed under arrest for vagrancy. Rambo is then mishandled by the town’s police force, and then all craziness breaks loose. He escapes the prison and goes to the forest, where the police and military join forces to take him down. When Rambo’s former superior, Colonel Trautman (Richard Crenna) arrives to defuse the situation, maybe-just maybe, all parties can make it out alive.

Stallone, using his starpower from the Rocky franchise, was able to get this movie made. He and director Ted Kotcheff made changes to the script, drastic enough where you could say the book is completely different. From all reports I have seen, the endings are completely different. Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing is up in the air, because the ending here may be the weakest link to the movie. The movie is at its best when we watch Stallone setting up fort in the wilderness and doing nothing but surviving the elements and the combined police/military force. The best scene, in my opinion, is where we see Stallone show off his physical prowess when escaping the police station. The cops were mean, but Rambo is even meaner. Watching him strike down the police officers using force is very fun to watch!

The performances are all great! Stallone, when given the right script, does well with what is given to him. Rambo is the one he made his own and is his best well-known role outside of the Rocky franchise. At least with this particular movie, his character is given depth and nuance and Stallone does a good job at showing these. Richard Crenna is excellent considering he was the studio’s billionth choice to play this part. He certainly gave Tauchman a side of empathy. Brian Dennehy was very fun to watch as he saviors his role as the police chief. When we first meet him, he is not who he seems.

Out of all the Rambo movies from the 80’s, First Blood is the one to see and remember. The sequels are just mindless action movies, but this is a darker film that uses its PTSD theme to full effect. Does it completely work? Maybe not as better films, but this theme allows us to sympathize with the character of John Rambo. Also, Jerry Goldsmith’s theme he created for Rambo, “The Long and Winding Road” is an effective musical theme. When the movie is in the forest with Rambo using his tactics he learned as a Green Beret, that is when the movie it at its best. I need to commend the character for not trying to kill anyone, unlike the future sequels. If you want to see an action film with an underlying theme, check out First Blood.

My Grade: B