Rambo

:For the band, see R.A.M.B.O..

First Blood

The first movie begins with the titular character - John Rambo, played by Sylvester Stallone - returning from the Vietnam War and searching for an old Army buddy. After discovering that his friend had died of cancer, and being escorted to the town limits by the local sheriff Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy) who "doesn't like his type", Rambo defiantly walks back into town. Sheriff Teasle arrests Rambo, and brings him to the station where he can be "cleaned up". During a forced shower with firehose, where he is beaten, Rambo has a wartime flashback of his experience as a POW in Vietnam. Temporarily losing touch with reality, Rambo escapes from prison and hides in the local mountains.

Related Topics:
Sylvester Stallone - Vietnam War - Brian Dennehy - POW - Vietnam

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The sheriff tries to "hunt" Rambo down; however, Rambo is too well trained, and continuously eludes the posse.

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The Army sends Colonel Samuel Trautman (Richard Crenna) to help the sheriff capture Rambo. Despite his advice to let Rambo defuse himself, and peacefully arrest him later, Teasle refuses his help. Worried that the Army is trying to protect their "asset," and to settle a personal score, Teasle continues his hunt. Trautman informs the sheriff that he isn't trying to protect Rambo from the sheriff, but to protect the police from Rambo.

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After incredible amounts of property damage and a showdown with Teasle, Col. Trautman tries to persuade Rambo to surrender. What results is an emotional and revealing monologue by Rambo who talks about his time in Vietnam, the shattered dreams of his army buddies and his post-war experience. The film ends with Rambo being escorted in handcuffs. (The filmmakers originally intended for Rambo to commit suicide, but this ending was scrapped after being rejected by a test audience. In the novel, Rambo is shot by Colonel Trautman.)

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