First Bloods Original Abandoned Ending, Explained

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As a die-hard fan of ’80s action movies, I can’t help but reflect on the fascinating journey of Rambo, a character whose evolution mirrors the turbulent times we lived in during that era. The original ending of ‘First Blood’, darker and more gritty, would have undoubtedly been a powerful statement, but it wouldn’t have given us the iconic franchise we’ve come to love.

Over time, Sylvester Stallone has significantly transformed his image. These days, he’s often referred to as “The Dapper Don of Tulsa,” seldom resorting to physical fights or weapons usage. Instead, his associates handle such tasks for him. However, during the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, Stallone was more of a frontline soldier. He gained fame with the Rocky series, but it was the Rambo franchise that catapulted him to international stardom, as its broader appeal transcended the boundaries of the boxing arena.

According to David Morrell’s novel, the initial movie in the franchise, titled First Blood, was a significant hit, both critically and financially. It became the first Hollywood blockbuster to debut in China and held the record for the most ticket sales for an American film until 2018. Since then, the Chinese market has proven to be a lucrative source of income for major studios.

Besides giving rise to numerous sequels, an animated TV show, comics, novels, and video games, the movie’s success can be attributed to the fact that Sylvester Stallone and director Ted Kotcheff decided against the initial ending.

A War Veteran Fights Against Police Brutality in First Blood

While often recognized for its high-octane action sequences, First Blood also delves subtly into a range of significant political and societal themes, thereby gaining recognition as a uniquely bold and imaginative cinematic interpretation.>

The story begins as Vietnam War veteran John Rambo (portrayed by Sylvester Stallone) journeys to a lakeside home in search of an old comrade. Upon arrival, he discovers that his friend succumbed to cancer due to exposure to Agent Orange, a toxic chemical utilized extensively by the American military during the war. This initial scene serves as a subtle reminder of the often overlooked struggles faced by veterans following their service for their nation.

After surviving the brutal jungle warfare on the front lines, leaving him in a state of homelessness with nowhere else to go, Rambo finds himself in the fictional town of Hope, Washington. At this particularly stressful moment, an unsuspecting Sheriff Will Teasle crosses paths with Rambo, unaware of the challenges he’s about to face.

In a fitting portrayal, Brian Dennehy plays the gruff, intimidating sergeant who views it as part of his duty to drive away vagabonds. Consequently, he instructs Rambo to depart. Not one to take orders from anyone not in his chain of command, he exits and later reappears, compelling Sergeant Teasle to apprehend him and file multiple charges against him.

After that, it’s revealed that the officers under Teasle engage in excessive force. At the police station, they mistreat Rambo, which sets off his post-traumatic stress disorder and leads him to fight them all off. He then flees into the forest.

In the forest, Rambo employs unconventional warfare strategies, reminiscent of Batman’s style, to overpower numerous law enforcement officers in pursuit of him. However, it’s important to note that he doesn’t intentionally take any lives; unfortunately, one officer falls off a helicopter during an intense scene and dies as a result.

Initially a Green Beret, this character is portrayed as rational, urging the authorities towards a fair resolution, but they appear stubbornly unreasonable. Consequently, he persists in meting out punishment. Notably skillful, Rambo’s actions prompt the Washington State Patrol and National Guard to intervene.

In the scenario, Colonel Sam Trautman, who had been both Rambo’s mentor and commanding officer in the past, is summoned to assist with negotiations. However, Rambo staunchly resists surrender, asserting that “they were the ones who initiated violence.” Undeniably, no confrontation has ever been more entertaining than this one.

Rambo’s Original Ending Was Almost Faithful to the Novel

Near the closing scenes of the movie, director Ted Kotcheff tenderly and delicately captures Rambo’s emotional upheaval following his actions. On the brink of exhaustion, Rambo contemplated taking Teasle’s life, but Trautman managed to dissuade him from doing so.

In my own words, I’d say:

The conclusion is undeniably impactful. In a brief span, Rambo succinctly conveys the flaws inherent in military life. It’s intriguing to note that this wasn’t the intended finale at first. Instead of succumbing to the police, Rambo was initially planned to take his own life.

According to an interview with Entertainment Weekly, director Ted Kotcheff confirmed that the original plan for John Rambo’s character was for him to meet his end, and there was a solid justification behind this decision.

In a deeply personal reflection, I found the movie to be a poignant portrayal of Rambo’s descent – a tale that eerily echoed the heart-wrenching stories shared by many veterans I’ve encountered. Heartbreakingly, some of these individuals ultimately took their own lives. The parallels between Rambo’s tragedy and theirs are striking, underscoring a tragic commonality in their fates.

Concerned that portraying an ’80s action hero committing suicide might be too harsh for audiences, Kotcheff and Stallone decided to change the plot. They likely thought that showing an arrest instead of a suicide would be less distressing.

The commentary on the DVD of the movie “First Blood” discloses that the widely recognized ending was filmed later, in March 1982, as the initial ending was considered unsatisfactory. Prior to this, the film was critically panned and shortened from a Scorsese-like runtime of approximately three and a half hours to just 90 minutes. The DVD release of the movie’s “Ultimate Edition” in 2004 features an alternative ending that hasn’t been seen before, where the main character takes his own life.

There Would Be No Rambo Franchise if Creative Liberties Hadn’t Been Exercised

In the original storyline, the final scenes more closely resemble those found in the book. The climax unfolds with an electrifying showdown. Catching Rambo off guard, Teasle shoots him in the chest, but is himself hit in the abdomen by a retaliatory shot from our hero. Despite his intentions to leave town, Rambo is pursued relentlessly by Teasle. When the National Guard arrives, Rambo contemplates suicide, then decides it’s more honorable to meet his end in battle. He slays Teasle, but Trautman fatally shoots him in the head.

Instead of saying that the original ending might have spoiled the franchise, consider rephrasing it to: “The alternative ending could have thwarted the entire series, as none of the subsequent novels, cartoons, or games would have come to life.” Furthermore, emphasize the significance by stating, “Above all, the groundbreaking sequels — each renowned for its incisive exploration of geopolitical matters — might never have been produced.

The sequel “First Blood: Part II” delves into the sensitive topic of prisoners of war that had caused controversy for the U.S. government, while “Rambo III” explores the complexities related to the Mujahideen (a group that later evolved into Al Qaeda) and the Soviet occupation in Afghanistan. Lastly, “Rambo IV” focuses on the threat of guerrilla warfare in Burma.

While we’re grateful for the conclusion we received, it’s worth noting that the original version has its unique merits and carries a deeper intellectual weight. It’s safe to say that even if the movie had followed a different path, Sylvester Stallone would have continued his rise as one of the world’s leading action stars, much like Arnold Schwarzenegger who seldom repeated sequels yet maintained an impressive career trajectory.

From my perspective as a movie critic, it’s fair to say that none of the sequels to “First Blood” quite measure up to the original masterpiece. If you were to eliminate these sequels from existence, the cinematic landscape might not have been significantly altered. However, engaging in such a debate among fans is always fascinating. After careful consideration, it’s clear that keeping the sequels in our film history was indeed the wiser choice.

First Blood
is available to stream in the US on Paramount+, Fubo TV, or Pluto

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2024-10-06 00:03