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The first movie was a real look into PTSD and mental health, as well as exposing that a lot of these soldiers were unable to adjust when they came home and were all quickly ignored and forgotten about. Rambo was harmless until he had a flash back after police violence on a homeless nobody.

The sequels were cartoony revenge fantasy. Fun to watch but didn’t really have a meaningful message.

I believe the original story had Rambo committing suicide in the police station. Which it sounds like I am the only one who would have preferred that ending to the story. A dark ending but would have really put the ! in the message.

Hearing the reason for the change makes me understand it. I hadn’t considered that in the 1980s many Vietnam veterans would have still been fairly young and seeing the movie.

Ava 1y ago

indeed...and the lack of respect vets, who didn't believe in the war in Vietnam nor respect the returning soldiers. There are medals in Sheriff Teasle's office. This is a reference to a subplot in the book in which Teasle had fought in the Korean War, and the reason for his dislike of Rambo, being a Vietnam vet. It was a much deeper message than just police violence.

I agree that First Blood is a powerful movie with a powerful message, and an important one at that. It holds a special place in the series, much in the way the first Rocky does, for very different reasons.

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Discussion

Ava 1y ago

i asked kagi ai to clarify and expand on what i wrote above. i think it's spot on 🤙

The movie First Blood explores the lack of respect that many American veterans faced when returning home from the Vietnam War. Even though they fought for their country, many Americans did not believe in or support the Vietnam War.

In the movie, there are clues that provide insight into Sheriff Teasle's character and why he dislikes Rambo. Teasle is a veteran of the Korean War, as evidenced by the medals in his office. However, unlike the Korean War, the Vietnam War was very controversial in the US. Many saw Vietnam veterans as "war criminals".

Teasle looks down on Rambo for fighting in the Vietnam War, which Teasle did not support. As a veteran himself, Teasle could relate to the difficulties of returning from war but did not show Rambo any respect or understanding as a Vietnam vet. This subplot highlights the deeper theme of how American society failed to properly welcome home and support those who fought in the Vietnam War.

The movie uses the interaction between Rambo and Teasle to convey an important message about the lack of respect and poor treatment that many Vietnam veterans faced when they returned home. Beyond just being about police violence, First Blood critiques how Americans viewed and rejected those who served in the Vietnam War.

GHOST 1y ago

I missed Teasle was a veteran. Now I need to go back and watch the movie again

Ava 1y ago

awesome. such a great film.

Ava 1y ago