Amazon.co.uk Review
It's easy to forget that this Spartan, violent film, which begat the Rambo series, was such a big hit in 1982 because it was a good movie. Green Beret vet John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) wanders into the wrong small town to find a fellow 'Nam buddy and gets the living heck kicked out of him by the local law enforcement (led by Brian Dennehy). The vet strikes back the only way he knows how, leading to a visceral, if unrealistic, flight and fight through the local mountains. Based on the 1972 novel by David Morrell, this film saved Stallone's then-foundering career and the Rambo character became the inspiration for countless political cartoons. But this film is Deliverance without the moral ambiguity. --Keith Simanton
The Rambo trilogy is also available on DVD as a complete set.
Amazon.co.uk Review
It's easy to forget that this Spartan, violent film, which begat the Rambo series, was such a big hit in 1982 because it was a good movie. Green Beret vet John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) wanders into the wrong small town to find a fellow 'Nam buddy and gets the living heck kicked out of him by the local law enforcement (led by Brian Dennehy). The vet strikes back the only way he knows how, leading to a visceral, if unrealistic, flight and fight through the local mountains. Based on the 1972 novel by David Morrell, this film saved Stallone's then-foundering career and the Rambo character became the inspiration for countless political cartoons. But this film is Deliverance without the moral ambiguity. --Keith Simanton
The Rambo trilogy is also available on DVD as a complete set.
Customer Reviews:
Classic 80's Action.......2008-02-24
When John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) tries to peacefully pass through a small American mountain town the prejudiced Sheriff (Brian Dennehy) takes an instant dislike to him due to his unkempt appearance. When Rambo ignores the subtle warning to leave town, he is arrested for vagrancy, locked up, beaten and humiliated by the Sheriff and his men. What the men don't know is that their prisoner is a green beret Vietnam veteran and winner of the congressional medal of honour. He is a killing machine haunted by his war experiences and when they push him too far he snaps and escapes into nearby mountains. Using all his military skills, Rambo wages a one man war against his pursuers.
Sylvester Stallone's Rambo character is one of the most iconic of all the 80's action heroes. First Blood is the first and finest in the franchise and Stallones performance is arguably the best of his career. Three sequels have now followed but none quite match up to the gritty original.
Like this? Try: Rocky
First Blood was only the start of it...., .......2008-02-21
Back in the 80's, a film was released that would change the way action movies felt. The film was First Blood and it made a little known actor called Sylvester Stallone into an international action star.
Based on a novel about a disgraced and out of place Vietnam veteran by David Morrell, First blood tells the story of John J. Rambo who returns to America after a torturous tour of duty in Vietnam. His friends are gone, killed in action and he returns to a world where he is treated like either an alien or a criminal by the Police force. You see he's an outsider and they really don't like outsiders. Thus follows a brutal and torturous assault on Rambo by them. I felt that as i was watching the film, they were just as brutal as the Cong were in Vietnam. Finally something snaps and Rambo becomes a one man army who no-one can control. When push come to shove, Rambo has no mercy. he becomes unhinged and unstoppable. Relentless in his goal he will destroy anything or anyone who gets in his way (or severely hurt them if they're lucky). If you pose a threat, prey Rambo never comes for you. There is a poignant message in First Blood. Rambo is one of the many Vietnam war Veterans (whether fiction or factual) who returned after slugging their guts out fighting a losing battle that was the Vietnam war. Only to return unappreciated, unwelcome and unheard even ignored. The ones who lost their limbs or worse for a war no-one cared about. What hell these people must have gone through. I mean it makes you think, What was the whole point of fighting for a country that never cared? Why bother risking your life and body on the line only to have your neighbour spit back in your face and not give a damn? I have always felt sorry about these people since i decided to research the Vietnam war, it was a horrifying time. The things they did to people doesn't bear thinking about. So i was feeling sorry for Rambo from the very start. To go through all that and then get the treatment he got from the cops, he just didn't deserve it. He wasn't even hurting anyone for the first half of the movie, THEY were hurting him. I never felt sorry for the cops at all in this film, as far as i was concerned they deserved everything they got. They didn't deserve my pity, they bought on themselves. They really made angry off a vicious one man army so basically justice was served.
First Blood contains great performances from Richard Crenna as Col. Trautman, Brian Dennehy as Sheriff Will Teasle, David Caruso (who found fame in NYPD Blue and CSI Miami) as a wet behind the ears deputy and of course Sylvester Stallone as the main character who became a hero to Vietnam vets and the American citizens by playing John J. Rambo. First Blood is easily a film that can be watched again and again and will stand the tests of time. The music is great by Jerry Goldsmith and Dan Hill's It's a long road suits the movie with a sorrowful message that enbodies the whole film.
"What you call hell, he calls home"
One of Stallones best.......2008-02-19
This is by far and away the best of the Rambo films, but funnily enough frequently forgotten, because the second movie was so much more successful. With elements of 'Deliverance' and 'Southern Comfort' this creates an atmospheric movie which is thrilling, entertaining and pretty violent as well.
Stallone doesn't have to do much acting wise, but his action stuff is well done and generally he looks the part and is very believeable as a disgruntled Vietnam Vet. However its the always excellent Brian Dennehy as the local Town Sheriff, who has bitten off more than he can chew, that holds the film together, with another classy performance.
IMO this is the only one of the first three Rambo films worth owning (I haven't seen the latest yet) and at its current price its well worth getting.
Stallones most impressive film........2008-01-27
Forget his Rocky films which though earned him an Oscar are rather predictable, its this film now an amazing 26 years old that made Stallone into a huge star.
This film has a credible plot ie a mentally imbalanced Vietnam war vetaran returning home to far from a heros welcome unable to find work and becomes a drifter.Except John Rambo is one of Americas elite Green Beret combat troops akin to our SAS so when a local sheriff takes a dislike to his unkempt appearence in his quiet town where little ever happens Rambo retaliates in only the way he knows.
Richard Crenna who plays his commanding officer Col Trautman whilst in Vietnam arrives to pick up the pieces but not before some real action takes place.
If its action with a purpose then this film should have gained Oscar nomination,its not too over the top and Dan Hills singing of the title music make it one of the most action packed adventure movies to come out of holywood in the 80ies.
First Blood 2+ 3 even though they were a huge sucess financially were not as significant story wise as First Blood where Americas stance on its returning combat troops from Vietnam left a lot be desired.
Tom Cruise also had a statement to say in his equally compelling film "Born on the fourth of July" but the biggest testomony to the war was Michael Ciminos "Deerhunter".
Quick Reviews!.......2007-10-28
Seen by many as just another mindless action flick, this goes deeper than most films of its kind. Yes, it is a classic 'one man army' movie, and although i feel its sequel deals more with the disillusionment of veterans, it is an effective look at a man trained only to kill-destroyed by his government, forgotten by his people. Small town exclusiveness, fear and small-mindedness are exploited to the full, and if you give it a chance, this is actually a highly satirical movie. But if you want to see explosions, guns and killings, which is what first brought me to this film, then you can't find many better.
Stallone dispatches of the 'bad guys' using every inch of his Rambo's training, and yes, from the start you know the cops don't have a hope. The few roles which call for any substantial acting are done well, the action is of a high quality, the music is memorable, and the script sufficient. if you want deep characterisation then watch The Deer Hunter, but for action, watch this.
There are some ok extras here, although a 'proper' special edition would be better. For a crisp, cheap version of the film though, this is prefect.
Amazon.co.uk Review
It's easy to forget that this Spartan, violent film, which begat the Rambo series, was such a big hit in 1982 because it was a good movie. Green Beret vet John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) wanders into the wrong small town to find a fellow 'Nam buddy and gets the living heck kicked out of him by the local law enforcement (led by Brian Dennehy). The vet strikes back the only way he knows how, leading to a visceral, if unrealistic, flight and fight through the local mountains. Based on the 1972 novel by David Morrell, this film saved Stallone's then-foundering career and the Rambo character became the inspiration for countless political cartoons. But this film is Deliverance without the moral ambiguity. --Keith Simanton
The Rambo trilogy is also available on DVD as a complete set.
Customer Reviews:
Classic 80's Action.......2008-02-24
When John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) tries to peacefully pass through a small American mountain town the prejudiced Sheriff (Brian Dennehy) takes an instant dislike to him due to his unkempt appearance. When Rambo ignores the subtle warning to leave town, he is arrested for vagrancy, locked up, beaten and humiliated by the Sheriff and his men. What the men don't know is that their prisoner is a green beret Vietnam veteran and winner of the congressional medal of honour. He is a killing machine haunted by his war experiences and when they push him too far he snaps and escapes into nearby mountains. Using all his military skills, Rambo wages a one man war against his pursuers.
Sylvester Stallone's Rambo character is one of the most iconic of all the 80's action heroes. First Blood is the first and finest in the franchise and Stallones performance is arguably the best of his career. Three sequels have now followed but none quite match up to the gritty original.
Like this? Try: Rocky
First Blood was only the start of it...., .......2008-02-21
Back in the 80's, a film was released that would change the way action movies felt. The film was First Blood and it made a little known actor called Sylvester Stallone into an international action star.
Based on a novel about a disgraced and out of place Vietnam veteran by David Morrell, First blood tells the story of John J. Rambo who returns to America after a torturous tour of duty in Vietnam. His friends are gone, killed in action and he returns to a world where he is treated like either an alien or a criminal by the Police force. You see he's an outsider and they really don't like outsiders. Thus follows a brutal and torturous assault on Rambo by them. I felt that as i was watching the film, they were just as brutal as the Cong were in Vietnam. Finally something snaps and Rambo becomes a one man army who no-one can control. When push come to shove, Rambo has no mercy. he becomes unhinged and unstoppable. Relentless in his goal he will destroy anything or anyone who gets in his way (or severely hurt them if they're lucky). If you pose a threat, prey Rambo never comes for you. There is a poignant message in First Blood. Rambo is one of the many Vietnam war Veterans (whether fiction or factual) who returned after slugging their guts out fighting a losing battle that was the Vietnam war. Only to return unappreciated, unwelcome and unheard even ignored. The ones who lost their limbs or worse for a war no-one cared about. What hell these people must have gone through. I mean it makes you think, What was the whole point of fighting for a country that never cared? Why bother risking your life and body on the line only to have your neighbour spit back in your face and not give a damn? I have always felt sorry about these people since i decided to research the Vietnam war, it was a horrifying time. The things they did to people doesn't bear thinking about. So i was feeling sorry for Rambo from the very start. To go through all that and then get the treatment he got from the cops, he just didn't deserve it. He wasn't even hurting anyone for the first half of the movie, THEY were hurting him. I never felt sorry for the cops at all in this film, as far as i was concerned they deserved everything they got. They didn't deserve my pity, they bought on themselves. They really made angry off a vicious one man army so basically justice was served.
First Blood contains great performances from Richard Crenna as Col. Trautman, Brian Dennehy as Sheriff Will Teasle, David Caruso (who found fame in NYPD Blue and CSI Miami) as a wet behind the ears deputy and of course Sylvester Stallone as the main character who became a hero to Vietnam vets and the American citizens by playing John J. Rambo. First Blood is easily a film that can be watched again and again and will stand the tests of time. The music is great by Jerry Goldsmith and Dan Hill's It's a long road suits the movie with a sorrowful message that enbodies the whole film.
"What you call hell, he calls home"
One of Stallones best.......2008-02-19
This is by far and away the best of the Rambo films, but funnily enough frequently forgotten, because the second movie was so much more successful. With elements of 'Deliverance' and 'Southern Comfort' this creates an atmospheric movie which is thrilling, entertaining and pretty violent as well.
Stallone doesn't have to do much acting wise, but his action stuff is well done and generally he looks the part and is very believeable as a disgruntled Vietnam Vet. However its the always excellent Brian Dennehy as the local Town Sheriff, who has bitten off more than he can chew, that holds the film together, with another classy performance.
IMO this is the only one of the first three Rambo films worth owning (I haven't seen the latest yet) and at its current price its well worth getting.
Stallones most impressive film........2008-01-27
Forget his Rocky films which though earned him an Oscar are rather predictable, its this film now an amazing 26 years old that made Stallone into a huge star.
This film has a credible plot ie a mentally imbalanced Vietnam war vetaran returning home to far from a heros welcome unable to find work and becomes a drifter.Except John Rambo is one of Americas elite Green Beret combat troops akin to our SAS so when a local sheriff takes a dislike to his unkempt appearence in his quiet town where little ever happens Rambo retaliates in only the way he knows.
Richard Crenna who plays his commanding officer Col Trautman whilst in Vietnam arrives to pick up the pieces but not before some real action takes place.
If its action with a purpose then this film should have gained Oscar nomination,its not too over the top and Dan Hills singing of the title music make it one of the most action packed adventure movies to come out of holywood in the 80ies.
First Blood 2+ 3 even though they were a huge sucess financially were not as significant story wise as First Blood where Americas stance on its returning combat troops from Vietnam left a lot be desired.
Tom Cruise also had a statement to say in his equally compelling film "Born on the fourth of July" but the biggest testomony to the war was Michael Ciminos "Deerhunter".
Quick Reviews!.......2007-10-28
Seen by many as just another mindless action flick, this goes deeper than most films of its kind. Yes, it is a classic 'one man army' movie, and although i feel its sequel deals more with the disillusionment of veterans, it is an effective look at a man trained only to kill-destroyed by his government, forgotten by his people. Small town exclusiveness, fear and small-mindedness are exploited to the full, and if you give it a chance, this is actually a highly satirical movie. But if you want to see explosions, guns and killings, which is what first brought me to this film, then you can't find many better.
Stallone dispatches of the 'bad guys' using every inch of his Rambo's training, and yes, from the start you know the cops don't have a hope. The few roles which call for any substantial acting are done well, the action is of a high quality, the music is memorable, and the script sufficient. if you want deep characterisation then watch The Deer Hunter, but for action, watch this.
There are some ok extras here, although a 'proper' special edition would be better. For a crisp, cheap version of the film though, this is prefect.
Customer Reviews:
Splendid........2000-10-27
This is a violent, but truely beautiful film. Anyone with an interest in historical Japan or the Samurai should purchase
See the blood, revel in the violence, try the moves at home.......2000-05-16
The third film in the infamous Lone Wolf and Cub series is perhaps one of the best. From the honorable duel between the disillusioned samurai to the glorious battle scene in which Ogami Itto takes on one hundred warriors, the film never disappoints. If you love martial arts and samurai films then you'll love this. Wakayama Tomisaburo is one of the greatest film-swordsman ever. You should buy this film for that reason only.
Amazon.co.uk Review
It's easy to forget that this Spartan, violent film, which begat the Rambo series, was such a big hit in 1982 because it was a good movie. Green Beret vet John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) wanders into the wrong small town to find a fellow 'Nam buddy and gets the living heck kicked out of him by the local law enforcement (led by Brian Dennehy). The vet strikes back the only way he knows how, leading to a visceral, if unrealistic, flight and fight through the local mountains. Based on the 1972 novel by David Morrell, this film saved Stallone's then-foundering career and the Rambo character became the inspiration for countless political cartoons. But this film is Deliverance without the moral ambiguity. --Keith Simanton
The Rambo trilogy is also available on DVD as a complete set.
Customer Reviews:
Classic 80's Action.......2008-02-24
When John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) tries to peacefully pass through a small American mountain town the prejudiced Sheriff (Brian Dennehy) takes an instant dislike to him due to his unkempt appearance. When Rambo ignores the subtle warning to leave town, he is arrested for vagrancy, locked up, beaten and humiliated by the Sheriff and his men. What the men don't know is that their prisoner is a green beret Vietnam veteran and winner of the congressional medal of honour. He is a killing machine haunted by his war experiences and when they push him too far he snaps and escapes into nearby mountains. Using all his military skills, Rambo wages a one man war against his pursuers.
Sylvester Stallone's Rambo character is one of the most iconic of all the 80's action heroes. First Blood is the first and finest in the franchise and Stallones performance is arguably the best of his career. Three sequels have now followed but none quite match up to the gritty original.
Like this? Try: Rocky
First Blood was only the start of it...., .......2008-02-21
Back in the 80's, a film was released that would change the way action movies felt. The film was First Blood and it made a little known actor called Sylvester Stallone into an international action star.
Based on a novel about a disgraced and out of place Vietnam veteran by David Morrell, First blood tells the story of John J. Rambo who returns to America after a torturous tour of duty in Vietnam. His friends are gone, killed in action and he returns to a world where he is treated like either an alien or a criminal by the Police force. You see he's an outsider and they really don't like outsiders. Thus follows a brutal and torturous assault on Rambo by them. I felt that as i was watching the film, they were just as brutal as the Cong were in Vietnam. Finally something snaps and Rambo becomes a one man army who no-one can control. When push come to shove, Rambo has no mercy. he becomes unhinged and unstoppable. Relentless in his goal he will destroy anything or anyone who gets in his way (or severely hurt them if they're lucky). If you pose a threat, prey Rambo never comes for you. There is a poignant message in First Blood. Rambo is one of the many Vietnam war Veterans (whether fiction or factual) who returned after slugging their guts out fighting a losing battle that was the Vietnam war. Only to return unappreciated, unwelcome and unheard even ignored. The ones who lost their limbs or worse for a war no-one cared about. What hell these people must have gone through. I mean it makes you think, What was the whole point of fighting for a country that never cared? Why bother risking your life and body on the line only to have your neighbour spit back in your face and not give a damn? I have always felt sorry about these people since i decided to research the Vietnam war, it was a horrifying time. The things they did to people doesn't bear thinking about. So i was feeling sorry for Rambo from the very start. To go through all that and then get the treatment he got from the cops, he just didn't deserve it. He wasn't even hurting anyone for the first half of the movie, THEY were hurting him. I never felt sorry for the cops at all in this film, as far as i was concerned they deserved everything they got. They didn't deserve my pity, they bought on themselves. They really made angry off a vicious one man army so basically justice was served.
First Blood contains great performances from Richard Crenna as Col. Trautman, Brian Dennehy as Sheriff Will Teasle, David Caruso (who found fame in NYPD Blue and CSI Miami) as a wet behind the ears deputy and of course Sylvester Stallone as the main character who became a hero to Vietnam vets and the American citizens by playing John J. Rambo. First Blood is easily a film that can be watched again and again and will stand the tests of time. The music is great by Jerry Goldsmith and Dan Hill's It's a long road suits the movie with a sorrowful message that enbodies the whole film.
"What you call hell, he calls home"
One of Stallones best.......2008-02-19
This is by far and away the best of the Rambo films, but funnily enough frequently forgotten, because the second movie was so much more successful. With elements of 'Deliverance' and 'Southern Comfort' this creates an atmospheric movie which is thrilling, entertaining and pretty violent as well.
Stallone doesn't have to do much acting wise, but his action stuff is well done and generally he looks the part and is very believeable as a disgruntled Vietnam Vet. However its the always excellent Brian Dennehy as the local Town Sheriff, who has bitten off more than he can chew, that holds the film together, with another classy performance.
IMO this is the only one of the first three Rambo films worth owning (I haven't seen the latest yet) and at its current price its well worth getting.
Stallones most impressive film........2008-01-27
Forget his Rocky films which though earned him an Oscar are rather predictable, its this film now an amazing 26 years old that made Stallone into a huge star.
This film has a credible plot ie a mentally imbalanced Vietnam war vetaran returning home to far from a heros welcome unable to find work and becomes a drifter.Except John Rambo is one of Americas elite Green Beret combat troops akin to our SAS so when a local sheriff takes a dislike to his unkempt appearence in his quiet town where little ever happens Rambo retaliates in only the way he knows.
Richard Crenna who plays his commanding officer Col Trautman whilst in Vietnam arrives to pick up the pieces but not before some real action takes place.
If its action with a purpose then this film should have gained Oscar nomination,its not too over the top and Dan Hills singing of the title music make it one of the most action packed adventure movies to come out of holywood in the 80ies.
First Blood 2+ 3 even though they were a huge sucess financially were not as significant story wise as First Blood where Americas stance on its returning combat troops from Vietnam left a lot be desired.
Tom Cruise also had a statement to say in his equally compelling film "Born on the fourth of July" but the biggest testomony to the war was Michael Ciminos "Deerhunter".
Quick Reviews!.......2007-10-28
Seen by many as just another mindless action flick, this goes deeper than most films of its kind. Yes, it is a classic 'one man army' movie, and although i feel its sequel deals more with the disillusionment of veterans, it is an effective look at a man trained only to kill-destroyed by his government, forgotten by his people. Small town exclusiveness, fear and small-mindedness are exploited to the full, and if you give it a chance, this is actually a highly satirical movie. But if you want to see explosions, guns and killings, which is what first brought me to this film, then you can't find many better.
Stallone dispatches of the 'bad guys' using every inch of his Rambo's training, and yes, from the start you know the cops don't have a hope. The few roles which call for any substantial acting are done well, the action is of a high quality, the music is memorable, and the script sufficient. if you want deep characterisation then watch The Deer Hunter, but for action, watch this.
There are some ok extras here, although a 'proper' special edition would be better. For a crisp, cheap version of the film though, this is prefect.
DVD Review:
- Red Beard [1965] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Rumpole Of The Bailey: Series 4 [1978]
- Saravah Feat. Baden Powell and Others [French Import] [2005] (REGION 0) (NTSC)
- Seagull's Laughter [2002] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Secret Ballot [2002] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Silent Waters [2003] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Soldier of Orange [1978] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Somewhere in Europe [1947]
- Stay Alive [2006]
- Stella [1955] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
DVD Review List
DVD Review