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 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. 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 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)

06/24/2022

4/5

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.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

06/23/2022

3/5

Watchable if entirely preposterous...

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Michael Sragow

Rolling Stone

06/21/2022

An ambitious, bloody, talented but pulpy mess.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Apr 17

3/4

The first and best of the franchise.

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Rachel Wagner

rachelsreviews.net

Mar 31

I didn’t expect to be moved by Rambo’s story but I was.

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Richard Freedman

Newark Star-Ledger

Jan 14

Considerably less thoughtful than, say, "Coming Home" on a similar subject, "First Blood" so revels In sadism that Its high-minded pretenses are quickly washed away in blood; first, last and always.

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J1gsaw P.

@j1gsawpupp3t Jun 21

In all my (as of this writing) 43 years I have yet to actually sit down and watch a full Rambo flick… so I started at the beginning. And it wasn’t an immediate 5 star, it was pretty decent to get an idea. Wasn’t a fan of how it ended, and Sly should’ve had more speaking parts in the flick but not sure if that’s on purpose and just the character…. I guess I’ll find that out as I go thru the series. Overall good effects for the period, and a good play by the sheriff… played a gods “villain”.

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Skutler T.

@SkutlerYT Jun 13

Very much a good watch, highly recommend

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Colton

Jun 13

Ok now here is a Damm good one instead of showing my kid turning red I would show them this (I mean it when I said I was going to burn the panda persons house down in turning red) thats how to parent because they will like learn how to survive in the woods

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Peter B

@RT58516657 Jun 10

When I first saw this film on its original release, I thought it was a great action movie. On rewatching I see a thoughtful study about PTSD and prejudice. Classic movie drama and action.

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Vincent S

@Vin_E_At_The_Movies Jun 10

I still stand by the ending scene of drama and emotion in this action classic. I love all of it and still feel it is somewhat underrated. Sylvester Stallone proved himself an action star here and the action scenes and look of the movie are outstanding. Stallone is an action God and Brian Dennehy is his equal adversary.

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Ry N.

@RyGuy Jun 8

Green Beret, John Rambo, goes to war with a small town police force after experiencing police brutality. The action is pretty dated, but still solid as they delve into Rambo’s PTSD.

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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 - Blowing Up the Gas Station

1:43

First Blood: Official Clip - Rambo Shoots the Sheriff

3:00

First Blood: Official Clip - Rambo vs. Helicopter

2:59

First Blood: Official Clip - Rambo's Speech

2:53

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

2:20

First Blood: Official Clip - Rambo Takes Down Cops

2:58

First Blood: Official Clip - Rambo vs. Rocket Launcher

2:42

First Blood: Official Clip - The Cops Harass Rambo

2:58

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First Blood: Trailer 1

2:19

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Synopsis

Vietnam veteran and drifter John J. Rambo 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. 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 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)