Film Of The Week #71 - Rambo: First Blood (1982)

Duggy747

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083944/

Well, what can be said about Rambo that hasn't already been? Gun-totting, one-man war machine that raised the bar 80's action violence? Oh yea! But because of the name and legend that is John Rambo people tend to forget how different the 1st movie was from the rest. He was a war vetern drifting across the country just wanting to be left alone but in the end was pushed over the edge by a king-of-the-shìt small-town sheriff and then pretty much causing a personal war (as well as making the woods a scary place to venture into!). He wasn't the bulging biceps monster with the machine gun glued to his hand, holding the belt of bullets on the other screaming: "NNNNNAAAAAARRRRGGGHH!!!" while turning commies to red mist.

What I love about this movie is the fact that Rambo is the most human in this movie and is a more believable character. The story is nicely panned out switching between Rambo's escapades and the fued between Brian Dennehy & Richard Crenna before the whole thing crashes down and becomes too much for Rambo to take on.

Plus, there was some great dialogue:

Teasle: Are you telling me that 200 of our men against your boy is a no-win situation for us?
Trautman: You send that many, don't forget one thing.
Teasle: What?
Trautman: A good supply of body bags.

Poetry!

Anywho, discuss!

Sherifu

Saw this movie as a kid. Saw it when I was older. It has the same impact and has aged very well.

1 man against the world carrying the scars of war.

Love Brian Dennehy's king shit cop character.

Excellent movie, one for a boy's night anytime.

shrapnel222

it's amazing that the first instalments of both rocky and rambo were both really well done, incredibly modest, and all around great films. shame that none of the sequels ever had an ounce of the class or talent or potential that he showed in those first 2

faceman

Interesting choice, good show!

I really like this film, even today. Its very dated now, and the undertone message of the film is completely faded at this stage.

Its got every cliche in the book (it wrote it!) but its an entirely enjoyable film.

Back in those days Brian Dennehy made films instead of those awful films he makes now that end up in the "True Stories" section in the video store!!!!

Death or Glory

Is there archives where I can read all the Film of the week threads/posts?

Sherifu

Also re: the sequels, they never came near the quality of the original.

Death or Glory wrote: »

Is there archives where I can read all the Film of the week threads/posts?

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=52657634&postcount=1

Beanstalk

Yeah this is an awesome film, great choice, I love the sequels too, but only for the laughing aspect. Stallone really came across as a complete loner in this film who just gets pushed too far. IT's cool too the way he only kills 1 person I think? (the guy in the helicopter) All the rest he just hamstrings or incapacitates in really cool ways, makes it all much more believable I suppose.

The Bollox

I used to really like Rambo II, but now I can't watch it without falling asleep. I never liked Rambo III. the new Rambo Film is good though. It's a good call-back to the 80's style of war film where you just blow the sh*t out of everything instead of having some stupid love story take up most of the air time.

Rambo I though is a classic. I love the film and the end is quite powerful where Rambo breaks down. good choice OP

Pride Fighter

faceman wrote: »

and the undertone message of the film is completely faded at this stage.

I wouldnt say that. A lot of parallels with the Iraq war being similar to Vietnam.
Great choice BTW.

Galvasean

Watched First Blood there recently and by golly, it was an intricate character study! :eek:
While I love some good ol' fashioned brain switch off dakkadakka, Rambo 2-4 are missing the very soul that First Blood had. FB has a great balance between the two, action and character.

ThOnda

I enjoy the First Blood more now, when I am older. It is really good film. Story of the man who carried his own past and who was trying to live his life and to cope with his past.

Draupnir

Beanstalk wrote: »

Yeah this is an awesome film, great choice, I love the sequels too, but only for the laughing aspect. Stallone really came across as a complete loner in this film who just gets pushed too far. IT's cool too the way he only kills 1 person I think? (the guy in the helicopter) All the rest he just hamstrings or incapacitates in really cool ways, makes it all much more believable I suppose.

He doesn't kill anyone in this film, the office falls out of the helicopter when the pilot looses control.

Mully

On utv tonight, 23.05

faceman

Pride Fighter wrote: »

I wouldnt say that. A lot of parallels with the Iraq war being similar to Vietnam.
Great choice BTW.

I wasnt around the time of vietnam however i understand that support for american troops whether an individual is in the yes to war or no war camp, is higher nowadays.