“Rambo: First Blood,” released in 1982 and directed by Ted Kotcheff, is an icon of 1980s action cinema and presents a series of fascinating behind-the-scenes curiosities. This film not only defined the action movie genre of the decade but also propelled Sylvester Stallone into one of the greatest action stars of all time. Beyond the memorable action sequences and intense narrative, there is a host of intriguing facts that contribute to the richness of the story behind the film. Let’s explore some of these curiosities that make “Rambo: First Blood” such a captivating and enduring work.
1 – A REAL FIGHT
A true acting professional doesn’t hesitate to spring into action. During a prison escape scene, Stallone accidentally struck actor Alf Humphreys in the nose with his elbow, resulting in Humphreys wearing a bandage on his nose for the remainder of the film.
2 – IMPROVISATION
The hero stumbled upon a makeshift piece of fabric in the middle of the forest, which wasn’t scripted. This fabric happened to be a canvas used by the production team during filming. As there was only one available, it became a valuable resource for the film, and naturally, the actor carefully preserved it after shooting was completed.
3 – THE FIRST VERSION WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH LONGER
The protagonist himself, Stallone, wasn’t satisfied with the initial version of the film. He even contemplated buying the rights to destroy the footage but ultimately abandoned the idea. Instead, Stallone pushed for the production to cut the film in half, as the original version exceeded 3 hours in length.
4 – STALLONE’S REDEMPTION
“Rambo” marked Sylvester Stallone’s first major success aside from the “Rocky” franchise. However, there was fear that Stallone was becoming overly associated with the image of a fighter, leading many in the industry to doubt his ability to be a versatile actor beyond a single film or franchise.
5 – THE ICONIC KNIFE
The soldier’s iconic combat knife was designed by renowned craftsman Jimmy Lile, at the direct request of Stallone. The intention was for this knife to be capable of use in extreme survival conditions. The production commissioned a total of six of these special knives for the film.
6 – CAST
A variety of renowned actors were nearly cast in the role of the soldier, including Jeff Bridges, Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Paul Newman, Nick Nolte, Ryan O’Neal, John Travolta, and Al Pacino. As for directors, names such as George Miller (“Mad Max”), Mike Nichols (“The Graduate”), and Sydney Pollack (“Tootsie”) were considered for helming the film.
7 – CHANGES IN THE SCRIPT
There are conflicting reports regarding the number of script versions before Stallone decided to take on the final writing of the film. Some claim there were 26 iterations, while others mention the preparation of 8 different scripts. Regardless, the production faced challenges in defining the definitive narrative of “Rambo,” and ultimately, Stallone ended up significantly contributing to most of the script.
8 – BLOWING THE BUDGET
Initially estimated at $11 million, the film ended up facing significant delays in filming, resulting in a substantial increase in production costs, ultimately reaching the $17 million mark.
9 – POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS
According to observations from screenwriter David Morrell, the protagonist vividly portrays the effects of post-traumatic stress. Furthermore, the film reflects numerous conversations he organized with young veterans who returned from Vietnam.
10 – BOX OFFICE SUCCESS
As we’ve seen, the film cost $17 million, much more than anticipated. However, the box office returns were well worth it, grossing an incredible $125 million worldwide.
The behind-the-scenes curiosities of “Rambo: First Blood” reveal not only the complexity of filmmaking but also the depth of influences and decisions that shaped this iconic action film. From on-set improvisations to discussions about portraying post-traumatic stress, each detail adds layers of meaning to the narrative and the viewer’s experience. By exploring these curiosities, we are transported into the backstage of creating a cinema classic, filled with nuances and fascinating stories. “Rambo: First Blood” not only thrills with its action sequences but also invites us to reflect on the deeper issues that permeate the character’s story and its lasting impact on cinematic culture.