First Blood

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2:19

First Blood

R

1982

1h 35m

Action

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

50 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Vietnam veteran and drifter John J. Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) wanders into a small Washington town in search of an old friend, but is met with intolerance and brutality by the local sheriff, Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy). When Teasle and his deputies restrain and shave Rambo, he flashes back to his time as a prisoner of war and unleashes his fury on the officers. He narrowly escapes the manhunt, but it will take his former commander (Richard Crenna) to save the hunters from the hunted.

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Critics Consensus

Much darker and more sensitive than the sequels it spawned, First Blood is a thrilling survival adventure that takes full advantage of Sylvester Stallone's acting skills.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Stallone brought intense physicality, obviously, but also hangdog vulnerability to a character who takes revenge on a cruel, unfeeling establishment and utters some of the most iconic lines in shoot’em’up history.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 24, 2022

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Watchable if entirely preposterous...

Rated: 3/5

Jun 23, 2022

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Michael Sragow

Rolling Stone

An ambitious, bloody, talented but pulpy mess.

Jun 21, 2022

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Allison Rose

FlickDirect

Director Ted Kotcheff offers some stunning visuals, making First Blood not only a pleasure to watch but a study in directing.

Rated: 3.5/5

Apr 8, 2024

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…Ted Kotcheff’s terse action thriller is a significant American film that changed culture and politics back in 1982, and still packs an 89 minute punch today…

Rated: 5/5

Jul 1, 2023

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Pushed-to-the-edge survivalist John Rambo raised the bar significantly for action heroes.

Rated: 9/10

Sep 6, 2020

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Larry K

Pretty sweet movie. Lots of action and I liked the ending.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/17/25

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Kauê T

Filme onde Silvester Stallone dá as caras e entrega ação viciante, efeitos épicos e um enredo envolvente. Ali só começava o sucesso...

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/16/25

Full Review

Christian S.

Classic film worth seeing

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/14/25

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 35 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/04/25

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Patrick C

Anyone who had the misfortune of watching some of the bone-headed Rambo sequels prior to seeing this might be forgiven for giving it a pass, thinking it would be like the others. That would be to miss out on one of the finest movies of the '80s in my opinion. 'First Blood' is leagues apart from those that followed it, a thoroughly engaging drama which is tautly directed and featuring a superb performance by Sylvester Stallone. When the viewer is finally witness to the indescribable pain of everything John Rambo witnessed while serving his country, it is intensely moving and genuinely affecting. Stallone's physique in the film gives a clue to its success; he is toned and fit but with none of the ludicrously bulging muscles that made later films seem like He-Man in combats. This is a measured and thought-provoking film that is surely one of the peaks of his career.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/02/25

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Audience Member

Great movie; the action was good and the acting amazing.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/24/25

Full Review

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Ted Kotcheff

Director

Sylvester Stallone

Rambo

Richard Crenna

Trautman

Brian Dennehy

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David Caruso

Mitch

Jack Starrett

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First Blood: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Vietnam veteran and drifter John J. Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) wanders into a small Washington town in search of an old friend, but is met with intolerance and brutality by the local sheriff, Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy). When Teasle and his deputies restrain and shave Rambo, he flashes back to his time as a prisoner of war and unleashes his fury on the officers. He narrowly escapes the manhunt, but it will take his former commander (Richard Crenna) to save the hunters from the hunted.

Director: Ted Kotcheff
Producer: Buzz Feitshans, Herb Nanas
Screenwriter: Michael Kozoll, William Sackheim, Sylvester Stallone, David Morrell
Production Co: Elcajo Productions, Anabasis N.V.
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Runtime: 1h 35m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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