First Blood (1982)

First Blood (1982), directed by Ted Kotcheff, is the first film in the Rambo franchise and is based on David Morrell’s 1972 novel of the same name. The movie stars Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo, a troubled and misunderstood Vietnam War veteran who becomes the target of a small-town sheriff and his deputies. First Blood is widely regarded as a landmark in the action genre, notable for its focus on the psychological scars of war and the mistreatment of veterans.
The film opens with John Rambo, a former Green Beret and Vietnam War veteran, wandering through a small town in search of an old war friend. He soon learns that his friend has passed away, leaving him feeling even more isolated and lost. As he drifts through the town of Hope, Washington, he catches the attention of Sheriff Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy), who sees Rambo as a drifter and orders him to leave town.
When Rambo quietly refuses, Teasle arrests him for vagrancy. While in custody, Rambo is mistreated by the sheriff’s deputies, triggering flashbacks to his time as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. This causes Rambo to react violently, escaping from the police station and retreating into the nearby mountains. A manhunt ensues, with Teasle and his deputies pursuing Rambo through the wilderness.
As the chase escalates, Rambo uses his survival and combat skills to evade capture and defend himself, leading to a series of deadly confrontations. His former commanding officer, Colonel Sam Trautman (Richard Crenna), arrives and warns Teasle that Rambo is not just an ordinary man—he’s a highly skilled soldier capable of extreme violence when pushed too far.
The film culminates in a tense standoff between Rambo, Teasle, and Trautman, where Rambo finally breaks down, revealing the emotional trauma he suffered during and after the war. This emotional climax shifts the film from a straightforward action thriller to a more profound commentary on the difficulties faced by veterans returning from combat.