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First Blood

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2:19

First Blood

R

1982

1h 35m

Action

Adventure

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Watchlist

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

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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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tim s

First Blood is an excellent introduction to John Rambo—one of the most haunted yet capable action icons. His background as a Vietnam vet is a crucial element of the story, especially since the antagonists—the cops—harbor nothing but disdain for him. What ensues are the consequences that arise when the law falsely targets an innocent man. Stallone, in the lead role, adequately portrays a tortured soul, while the cops on his trail are power-hungry and malicious.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/26/25

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Zee F

The greatest movie ever made, RAMBO is the definition of alpha male warrior

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/20/25

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John R

"He's an expert with guns, knifes, and with his bare hands".

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/14/25

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David S

Sometimes you have to overdo something going on in the world in the form of this film to expose flaws in our world. Every police officer in this country that has seen this film has an opinion - and should!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/04/25

Full Review

mean s

Without a doubt this was Stallone approaching the apex of his prime! First Blood has got heart & soul. Sly insisted on doing his own stunts and broke his ribs when falling from the top of the pine tree. When he yelled: "Oh Jesus!" that was him in real pain. First Blood is a great watch. We are blessed to have performers like Stallone.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/02/25

Full Review

Peter V

Yes, absolutely one of the best of Sylvester Stallone.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/23/25

Full Review

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Ted Kotcheff

Director

Sylvester Stallone

Rambo

Richard Crenna

Trautman

Brian Dennehy

Teasle

David Caruso

Mitch

Jack Starrett

Galt

First Blood: Official Clip - Rambo Wrecks Police Cars

1:36

First Blood: Official Clip - Rambo's Motorcycle Chase

2:59

First Blood: Official Clip - Rambo Shoots the Sheriff

3:00

First Blood: Official Clip - Blowing Up the Gas Station

1:43

First Blood: Official Clip - Rambo's Speech

2:53

First Blood: Official Clip - Rambo vs. Helicopter

2:59

First Blood: Official Clip - God Didn't Make Rambo. I Made Him

2:20

First Blood: Official Clip - Rambo vs. Rocket Launcher

2:42

First Blood: Official Clip - Rambo Takes Down Cops

2:58

First Blood: Official Clip - The Cops Harass Rambo

2:58

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Rambo: First Blood Part II

33%

60%

Rambo: First Blood Part II

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First Blood: Trailer 1

2:19

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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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