Rambo

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

Rambo is a trilogy of popular action films based on the characters created by David Morrell in his novel First Blood. The films are: First Blood (1982), Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), and Rambo III (1988). A fourth film is expected sometime in 2006. The films focus on a troubled Vietnam War veteran, John Rambo, who is greatly skilled in all aspects of survival.

Contents 1 First Blood 2 Rambo: First Blood Part II 3 Rambo III 4 Rambo IV 5 The animated series 5.1 Plot 5.2 Complete episode listing 6 Trivia 7 Pop culture references 8 External links

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.

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

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.

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.)

Rambo: First Blood Part II

The second movie, Rambo: First Blood Part II, has Rambo released from prison by Federal order to document the possible existence of POWs in Vietnam, under the belief that he will find nothing and the government can sweep the issue under the rug. Rambo, with the assistance of a local woman Co Bao (Julia Nickson-Soul), does find American POWs and tries to escape with one. Marshall Murdock (Charles Napier), in charge of the operation, orders that Rambo be abandoned, and all documentation of POWs be destroyed. Rambo is taken into captivity, and tortured by the Russian army. With the help of Co (who is later killed), Rambo escapes, destroys nearly the entire hostile army, and flies back to Thailand with the rescued POWs. He then threatens Murdock to find the remaining POWs, or Rambo will find him.

This movie (and the whole Rambo trilogy) is laced with Wagernian and Arthurian symbolism, including a descent into the underworld, identity with a unique blade, and betrayal by one's countrymen. The Red Headband Rambo fashions from Co Bao's dress following her death in First Blood Part II represents the garters worn by old chivalrous knights.

Rambo III

The third movie, Rambo III, sees Rambo going to Afghanistan to rescue Colonel Trautman, who was captured while trying to document the atrocities of the occupying Russian army on the local forces, so the U.S. government would aid them. With the help of the Mujahideen, Rambo is able to rescue Trautman and eliminate the homicidal Russian commander in that region. There is also a David Morrell novel of the second movie, but unlike the first book this was written after rather than before the movie.

Rambo IV

There are rumours about a possible Rambo IV coming in 2006. Quote from Stallone about Rambo IV:

"It won't be what you think - not the same Rambo with the headband. In keeping with some sort of believability, he would be passing the torch to a younger generation of high-tech combatants. We're working on an interesting premise where Rambo is brought back from living on a ranch somewhere, and because of his skills in jungle warfare and survival, he's asked to lead a young group in a search-and-rescue mission. They can't believe this decrepit guy is a war hero, but when their technology fails, they see where Rambo excels."

On October 28, 2005, CNN confirmed on their website of Stallone's plans to produce the fourth Rambo film. They explain the basic plot and production plans[1]:

"Rambo IV" centers on former Vietnam vet John Rambo, who is living a reclusive life back home in the U.S. But when a girl goes missing, he is forced to abandon his quiet lifestyle and take justice into his own hands.

No director is attached, and the screenplay is in the early stages. The indepedently produced $50 million film is set to begin shooting in the spring in Mexico and the U.S.

The animated series

Rambo was also the name of an animated series in that debuted in 1986, which was based on the film series. It ran for 65 episodes. The complete series is currently in the process of being released on DVD. Four volumes in the complete release have been released so far. The cartoon series debuted in April of 1986 as a five part mini series, and was renewed in September as a daily cartoon. However, the series only lasted one season and was cancelled in December of the same year (65 episodes were made in total).

Plot

In the cartoon, Rambo was now part of a team called The Force of Freedom which went on missions around the world battling against the evil organization S.A.V.A.G.E., led by General Warhawk. Although the cartoon was filled with much fighting and gun fire, there was never any sensational violence, blood or gore, and rarely did anyone ever die. Rambo used violence as a last resort and relied on quick thinking and fast moves to outwit his opponents.

Complete episode listing

Trivia

• John Rambo was born in 1946, and is half German and half Indian. He is a qualified helicopter pilot.
• The song was written by Jerry Goldsmith.
• John Rambo is the first name on the Vietnam Memorial at Arlington National Cemetary
• The series title comes from the Japanese title of First Blood, Rambo (ランボー).

Pop culture references

• Someone who is fighting alone in a difficult situation, or being brave and stupid is often described as "being a Rambo".
• In the video game series Metal Gear, Solid Snake's commander in operation Colonel Roy Campbell bears a resemblance to Colonel Trautman. Solid Snake also wears a bandana and takes on armies almost singlehandedly (albeit in a sneaky, evasive manner, in contrast to Rambo's more "direct" approach).
• In Gremlins 2, Gizmo was watching Rambo 2, and later dressed up like Rambo, complete with bow and arrow.
• In the action comedy movie Hot Shots! Part Deux, Charlie Sheen's character is a parody of Rambo.
• In DC Comics, one of the Green Lantern Corps, Guy Gardner, is nicknamed "Rambo with a Ring".
• In True Lies, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Arnie's on screen wife says "I married Rambo" after he machine guns some bad guy.
• In the computer game Soldat, the "Rambo mode" gametype gives the first player to get a kill a bow and arrow capable of killing in one hit. Other players become the "Rambo" when they kill the current "Rambo". Players are only rewarded for fragging the Rambo.
• Video game character Jazz Jackrabbit is a Rambo-like rabbit, with even the red bandana.
• In the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon series, the character of Rocksteady was seen armed with an automatic rifle which resembles the M60 machine gun, Rambo's weapon of choice in the first two Rambo films, in the early episodes of the 1987 series. Another possible reference to Rambo can be found in Rocksteady's attire with Rocksteady wearing a pair of military cargo trousers, combat boots and a singlet as well as Rocksteady sporting a bullet belt and a Bowie knife.

External links

• First Blood at the Internet Movie Database
• Rambo: First Blood Part II at the Internet Movie Database
• Rambo: III at the Internet Movie Database
  
  

A screenplay for "First blood"