First Blood (1982) is a groundbreaking action film that introduced the iconic character of John Rambo, played by Sylvester Stallone, to the world. Directed by Ted Kotcheff and based on David Morrell’s novel of the same name, the film is often regarded as a classic of the action genre and set the stage for the Rambo franchise. While First Blood is packed with intense action and combat sequences, it also explores themes of isolation, trauma, and the impact of war on veterans, making it more than just a typical action movie.

Plot Overview

The film opens with John Rambo, a former Green Beret and Vietnam War veteran, traveling to the small town of Hope, Washington. Rambo is searching for an old war buddy but is soon met with hostility and suspicion from the local sheriff, Will Teasle (played by Brian Dennehy). Teasle, seeing Rambo as a drifter with no clear purpose, orders him to leave town. When Rambo refuses and is arrested on a trumped-up charge, the situation quickly escalates.

During his time in jail, Rambo’s experiences as a soldier and the trauma he faced during the war begin to surface. He reacts violently to the treatment he receives from the local police, triggering a chain of events that transforms the town into a battleground. Rambo escapes into the surrounding wilderness, where he uses his military training and survival skills to elude the law.