Sylvester Stallone was one of the biggest movie stars of the 1980s and had many acclaimed roles in action hits, franchise sequels, and underrated thrillers. While this was a decade defined by Stallone’s feud with Arnold Schwarzenegger, these two icons pushed each other forward to star in increasingly outrageous cult favorites throughout this incredible decade in filmmaking. During this time, Stallone often one-upped the stakes of his long-standing rival by branching out into comedies, neo-noirs, and continuing to make his own work as a writer, director, and star of some of the biggest hits of this era.
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Many of the best Stallone movies were released during the 1980s, as this was a prime time for the popularity of his characters like Rocky Balboa and John Rambo. Stallone had plenty of underrated movies during this time that, only with the power of hindsight, have come to be regarded as cult classics and misunderstood fan favorites. While Stallone continued to excel in Hollywood in the subsequent decades, the 1980s were truly an incredible time for this action movie legend.
12 Rhinestone (1984)
Sylvester Stallone as Nick Martinelli
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Rhinestone PGComedy
Rhinestone is a 1984 comedy film featuring a country singer who bets that she can transform a cab driver into a country music star. As the singer mentors him, they prepare for his performance at a notable New York City nightclub, setting the stage for comedic and musical challenges.
Director Bob Clark Release Date June 22, 1984 Writers Phil Alden Robinson Cast Dolly Parton , Sylvester Stallone , Richard Farnsworth , Ron Leibman , Tim Thomerson , Steve Peck , Penny Santon , Russell Buchanan , Ritch Brinkley , Jerry Potter , Jesse Welles , Phil Rubenstein , Thomas Ikeda , Christal Kim , Arline Miyazaki , Tony Munafo , Don Hanmer , Dean Smith , David Cobb , Speck Rhodes , Guy Fitch , Stan Yale , Robert Cook , Cindy Perlman , Robert Martini Character(s) Jake Ferris , Nick , Noah Ferris , Freddie Ugo , Barnett Kale , Father , Mother , Elgart , Luke , Walt , Billie Joe , Maurie , Japanese Father , Japanese Grandmother , Japanese Mother , Tony , Sid , Cowboy Doorman , Countryman , Mr. Polk , Wino , Street Player , Scarey Man , Esther Jean , Bartender Runtime 111 minutes YouTube Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eASRE6YBU0M Expand
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While the pairing of Sylvester Stallone and Dolly Parton in a story about becoming a country music star had plenty of cult movie appeal, Rhinestone, unfortunately, missed the mark. The most memorable thing about Rhinestone was Parton’s work on the soundtrack, as the film led to her Country Singles’ number one hit, “Tennessee Homesick Blues.” The rest of the film was a forced and artificial interpretation of the song “Rhinestone Cowboy” by Larry Weiss, featuring Stallone in a comedy before he’d really found his footing in funny movies.
Stallone was Nick Martinelli, an obnoxious New York taxi driver who tried to turn into a popular singer to win a bet, while Parton was Jake Farris, the down-on-her-luck country singer tasked with transforming Martinelli. With a lackluster story and practically no chemistry between its stars, Rhinestone flopped at the box office and was one of the most jarring examples of Stallone being woefully miscast.
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11 Over the Top (1987)
Sylvester Stallone as Linc Hawk
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Over the Top PGActionDocumentaryDramaFamilySport
Lincoln Hawk, a trucker and arm-wrestler, competes in a high-stakes arm-wrestling tournament to win a new truck and rebuild his life. He battles both in the ring and for the custody of his estranged son. The film blends intense sports action with a heartfelt story of redemption and family.
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*Availability in US Director Menahem Golan Release Date February 13, 1987 Writers Gary Conway , David Engelbach , Stirling Silliphant , Sylvester Stallone Cast Sylvester Stallone , Robert Loggia , Susan Blakely , Rick Zumwalt , David Mendenhall , Chris McCarty Runtime 93 minutes Main Genre Action Expand
While Sylvester Stallone had turned himself into one of the most iconic action movie stars of all time with hit franchises like Rocky and Rambo, his cheesy arm wrestling movie Over the Top did not have the quite same appeal. The sheer ridiculousness of this film’s concept meant it lived up to its title, but Over the Top’s tale of truck drivers arm wrestling for custody of their children felt almost like a parody of a Stallone movie. Although it had its entertaining moments, this was perhaps Stallone’s most forgettable flop from this time period.
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Stallone was even nominated for the Worst Actor award at the Razzies for his portrayal of Linc Hawk. The actor himself has gone on record to criticize the film, with Stallone later stating there was a lot he’d change about Over the Top if he could go back in time (via Ain’t It Cool News.) Stallone criticized the “carnival-like” climatic sequences in Las Vegas and said that he would have liked to have had the film scored instead of including a “never-ending stream of rock songs.”
10 Rambo III (1988)
Sylvester Stallone as John J. Rambo
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6/10 Rambo III
Rambo III, directed by Peter MacDonald, follows John Rambo, played by Sylvester Stallone, as he leaves his peaceful monastery life to rescue his mentor, Col. Trautman, from Soviet forces in Afghanistan after Trautman is captured during a top-secret mission.
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*Availability in US Director Peter MacDonald Release Date 1988/08/19 Cast Sylvester Stallone , Richard Crenna , Marc de Jonge , Kurtwood Smith
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It must be admitted that Rambo’s character devolved with each subsequent entry in the series. While the first movie was a thoughtful exploration of a PTSD-suffering Vietnam veteran and the second leaned more heavily into action movie tropes, by the time Rambo III had come around, he was a full-blown superhero-style action star. With a plot that moved the story to the Soviet-Afghan War, Rambo III saw Sylvester Stallone going on a death-defying mission to rescue his former commander.
Rambo III was the last film in the series during the 1980s for good reason, as it was clear the franchise had run out of creative steam. While Rambo III was a solid action movie with some impressive special effects, it just felt like a shell of its former self. The Cold War political themes of Rambo III also felt one-dimensional and lacked nuances, meaning that this was Rambo’s worst outing in the 1980s.
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9 Lock Up (1989)
Sylvester Stallone as Frank Leone
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7/10 Lock Up RActionAdventureCrimeThriller
Lock Up stars Sylvester Stallone as Frank Leone, a convict nearing the end of his sentence in a minimum-security prison. He is unexpectedly transferred to a maximum-security facility by a vengeful warden who harbors a personal grudge against him. Directed by John Flynn, the film explores themes of resilience and justice as Leone navigates brutal challenges to regain his freedom.
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*Availability in US Director John Flynn Release Date August 4, 1989 Writers Richard Smith , Jeb Stuart , Henry Rosenbaum Cast Sylvester Stallone , Donald Sutherland , John Amos , Sonny Landham , Tom Sizemore , Frank McRae , Darlanne Fluegel , William Allen Young , Larry Romano , Jordan Lund , John Lilla , Dean Rader Duval , Jerry Strivelli , David Anthony Marshall , Kurek Ashley Runtime 109 Minutes Main Genre Action Expand
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While Lock Up had a haphazard production that meant the movie started filming before they even had the script fully ready (via Shock Cinema), there was still plenty to love about this mixed-bag prison movie. With Sylvester Stallone as Frank Leone, a convict nearing the end of his sentence, his incarceration became more difficult than he’d imagined after he was suddenly transferred to the violent maximum-security facility known as Gateway Prison, and his sentence was extended by five years.
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This turn of events for Stallone’s character was due to the sadistic practices of Warden Drumgoole, a man with a hatred of Leone who wants to see him suffer. While Lock Up felt rather meandering at times, praise must go to Donald Sutherland for his incredible portrayal of Drumgoole, who added a sinister energy to the imprisonment story. Although Lock Up was badly received at the time of its release, it’s since built up a beloved following among Stallone enthusiasts.
8 Escape to Victory (1981)
Sylvester Stallone as Captain Robert Hatch
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Escape to Victory (1981) PG-13WarDrama
Escape to Victory (1981) is a wartime sports drama directed by John Huston. The film centers on Allied prisoners of war who are coerced into playing an exhibition football match against a German team, while secretly planning their escape. Featuring performances by Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine, and football legend Pelé, the movie combines elements of athletic competition with the themes of resilience and camaraderie during World War II.
Director John Huston Release Date July 30, 1981 Writers Yabo Yablonsky , Evan Jones , Jeff Maguire , Djordje Milicevic Cast Sylvester Stallone , Michael Caine , Max Von Sydow , Pele , Carole Laure , Bobby Moore , Osvaldo Ardiles , Paul Van Himst , Kazimierz Deyna , Mike Summerbee , Co Prins , Russell Osman , John Wark , Søren Lindsted , Kevin O’Callaghan , Gary Waldhorn , George Mikell , Laurie Sivell , Arthur Brauss , Robin Turner , Michael Wolf , Jürgen Andersen , David Shawyer , Werner Roth , Amidou , Benoît Ferreux , Jean-François Stévenin , Jack Lenoir Character(s) Captain Robert Hatch , Captain John Colby , Major Karl von Steiner , Cpl. Luis Fernandez , Renee , Terry Brady , Carlos Rey , Michel Fileu , Paul Wolchek , Sid Harmor , Pieter Van Beck , Doug Clure , Arthur Hayes , Erik Ball , Tony Lewis , Mueller , Kommandant , Schmidt , Lutz , a german player , Lang , a propaganda civilian , Strauss , Baumann , André , Jean-Paul , Claude Runtime 116 Minutes Main Genre War Expand
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Escape to Victory, also known as simply Victory, was a sports movie starring Sylvester Stallone, dealing with entirely different themes than Rocky. Set in 1942 amid the war against Nazi Germany, Escape to Victory focused on Allied prisoners exhibition football match against a German team. With an all-star cast including Stallone, Michael Caine, Max von Sydow, and even soccer legend Pelé, Escape to Victory was an inspirational film with a unique plot.
Directed by filmmaking legend John Huston, Escape from Victory received mixed reviews from critics at the time but has gained much more acclaim in recent years. With excellent football sequences featuring many real players, Escape to Victory was an implausible but enjoyable story that blended sports, prison, and war genres into one piece of pure cinematic entertainment. While some may dismiss its concept as silly, if audiences suspend their disbelief, Escape to Victory was a highly engrossing movie.
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7 Tango & Cash (1989)
Sylvester Stallone as Lieutenant Ray Tango
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8/10 Tango & Cash ActionAdventureComedyCrimeThriller
Two rival Los Angeles cops are forced to team up when a drug lord implicates them in a crime they didn’t commit. They end up in jail and their only option is to escape in order to bring the real culprit to justice.
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*Availability in US Director Andrei Konchalovsky , Albert Magnoli Release Date December 22, 1989 Writers Randy Feldman Cast Sylvester Stallone , Kurt Russell , Teri Hatcher , Jack Palance , Brion James , James Hong Main Genre Action
Sylvester Stallone rounded out the 1980s with the buddy cop classic Tango & Cash, starring himself and Kurt Russell. This cult story of mismatched police officers saw Stallone playing the slick detective Ray Tango while Russell was the trigger-happy cowboy cop Gabe Cash. As the last great action comedy of its decade, despite being full of tropes and cliches, it’s hard to deny Tango & Cash’s status as a solidly fun movie.
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Related 10 Best Action Comedies Of The 1980s
The 1980s were a fantastic time for action comedies as major movie stars took up now iconic roles in buddy cop stories and franchise starters.
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While the story of Tango & Cash was predictable, as the pair were framed and sent to jail by their arch-nemesis, the chemistry between Stallone and Russell was worth the price of admission. As the duo overcame the odds and sought justice while spewing endless cheesy one-liners, Tango & Cash was a badly received buddy-cop adventure that never got the critical love it deserved at the time of its release. While there have been rumblings about a sequel over the years, it was disappointing that audiences never got to see more from Tango & Cash.
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6 Rocky III (1982)
Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa
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8/10 Rocky III PGDramaSports
Rocky III is the third installment in the Rocky franchise, featuring Sylvester Stallone as the titular character. The film follows Rocky Balboa’s journey as he faces a new adversary, Clubber Lang, portrayed by Mr. T. After suffering a major defeat, Rocky seeks to regain his title with the help of his former rival, Apollo Creed. Directed by Stallone, the film explores themes of determination and personal redemption.
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*Availability in US Director Sylvester Stallone Release Date May 28, 1982 Writers Sylvester Stallone Cast Sylvester Stallone , Talia Shire , Burt Young , Carl Weathers , Burgess Meredith , Tony Burton , Mr. T , Hulk Hogan Runtime 99 Minutes Main Genre Drama Expand
The Rocky franchise will always be the defining aspect of Sylvester Stallone’s career, as his breakout role brought him fame and fortune and was a part he consistently returned to. However, some entries were better than others, and Rocky III represented one of the weakest releases in the franchise. Although seeing Rocky train with his old rival Apollo Creed was enjoyable, Clubber Lang (Mr. T) stood as one of the least engaging adversaries Rocky had come up against.
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Many aspects of Rocky III felt wholly unnecessary as the franchise failed to meaningfully add anything new with this installment. Despite this, the action sequences were great, and it was enjoyable to continue watching the Rocky series’ signature montages as Rocky and Creed trained on the beach. There was also one more aspect that helped secure Rocky III’s legacy within the franchise, as this was the entry that included the song “Eye of the Tiger,” a perfect training track with an unmatched place in modern popular culture.
5 Cobra (1986)
Sylvester Stallone as Lieutenant Marion “Cobra” Cobretti
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Cobra RActionCrimeThriller
In Cobra, a genius mathematician turns vigilante and uses his intellect to execute intricate crimes while police attempt to apprehend him. As the story progresses, layers of mystery unravel, leading to a gripping narrative filled with suspense and intellectual duels.
Director George P. Cosmatos Release Date May 23, 1986 Writers George P. Cosmatos , Paula Gosling , Sylvester Stallone Cast Sylvester Stallone , Brigitte Nielsen , Reni Santoni , Andrew Robinson , Brian Thompson , John Herzfeld , Lee Garlington , Art LaFleur , Marco Rodríguez , Ross St. Phillip , Val Avery , David Rasche , John Hauk , Nick Angotti , Nina Axelrod , Joe Bonny , Brad Bovee , Kevin Breslin , Roger Aaron Brown , John Cahill , Malik Carter , Louise Caire Clark , Christine Craft Character(s) Marion Cobretti , Ingrid , Gonzales , Detective Monte , Night Slasher , Cho , Nancy Stalk , Captain Sears , Supermarket Killer , Security Guard , Chief Halliwell , Dan , Low Rider , Prodski , Waitress , Policeman #1 , Innocent Bystander , Supermarket Kid , Policeman #2 , Father of Blonde Girl , Night Guard , Woman in Car , TV News Reporter Runtime 87 Minutes Main Genre Action Expand
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With Cobra, Sylvester Stallone took his tough guy action movie persona to the absolute extreme with a fantastically violent showcase of pure carnage. Unlike the careful cops of so many other action movies from this time, Lt. Marion “Cobra” Cobretti was a no-nonsense cop who didn’t let rules and regulations stand in the way of fun, fast-paced, and frenzied thrills. With Stallone investigating a mass shooting and hostage situation at an L.A. supermarket, things soon heat up as Cobra disregards police procedure in his quest to save the day.
Cobra was a straight-up action movie that could be criticized for having one-dimensional characterizations, but this was the entire point, as the film prioritized action-movie entertainment above all else. This uncompromising willingness to lean into action tropes and cliches made Cobra a firm cult favorite and perhaps the purest encapsulation of Stallone’s unique appeal.
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4 Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)
Sylvester Stallone as John J. Rambo
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Rambo: First Blood Part II RActionAdventureThrillerWar
Rambo: First Blood Part II follows John Rambo, played by Sylvester Stallone, as he is released from prison for a government-sanctioned covert mission back to the hostile jungles of Vietnam. Tasked with gathering intelligence on American prisoners of war, he faces formidable challenges in this high-stakes operation.
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*Availability in US Director George P. Cosmatos Release Date May 21, 1985 Writers David Morrell , Kevin Jarre , Sylvester Stallone , James Cameron Cast Sylvester Stallone , Richard Crenna , Charles Napier , Steven Berkoff , Julia Nickson , Martin Kove Runtime 94 minutes Main Genre Action Expand
Rambo: First Blood Part II took the nuanced concept of the original movie and turned the dial up for maximum effect. With this sequel, Rambo lost some of his three-dimensional characterizations and became more of a typical action hero, although the movie was so fun that this loss in character depth could be forgiven. First Blood Part II saw Rambo return to Vietnam, where he sought to free potential prisoners of war who had been held captive in the country since the conflict was ongoing.
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First Blood Part II was a major blockbuster hit that earned an astounding $300 million at the global box office (via Box Office Mojo.) Rambo’s run-and-gun mentality and the litany of explosions and action shots helped turn Stallone into one of the most bankable stars of the 1980s and was a major contributor to his status as an all-time action movie legend. While some viewers may criticize the direction this sequel pointed the Rambo franchise in, there’s no denying it wasn’t a solidly entertaining movie.
3 Nighthawks (1981)
Sylvester Stallone as Sergeant Deke DaSilva
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Nighthawks RActionCrimeThriller
Nighthawks is a 1981 action thriller featuring Sylvester Stallone and Billy Dee Williams as New York City detectives pursuing an international terrorist played by Rutger Hauer. Directed by Bruce Malmuth, the film follows the tense and perilous cat-and-mouse game between law enforcement and the cunning fugitive, presenting a gritty portrayal of urban crime and counter-terrorism efforts.
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*Availability in US Director Bruce Malmuth , Gary Nelson , Sylvester Stallone Release Date April 10, 1981 Writers David Shaber , Paul Sylbert Cast Sylvester Stallone , Billy Dee Williams , Lindsay Wagner , Persis Khambatta , Nigel Davenport , Rutger Hauer , Hilarie Thompson , Joe Spinell Character(s) Deke DaSilva , Matthew Fox , Irene , Shakka , Peter Hartman , Wulfgar , Pam , Lt. Munafo Runtime 99 Minutes Main Genre Action Expand
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While the character of Rocky Balboa signaled Sylvester Stallone as one of cinema’s greatest underdogs, he traded in this persona to play the gritty neo-noir cop Sergeant Deke DaSilva in Nighthawks. This dark and highly underrated film proved Stallone’s skills as a serious actor and was a sinister political thriller that exposed the dark underbelly of urban living. With DaSilva hired on a newly formed anti-terrorist squad, he soon found himself at odds with a pair of lethal European terrorists.
Although Stallone was greatest in his role as DaSilva, the real appeal of Nighthawks was Rutger Hauer’s performance as the psychopathic terrorist Wulfgar, a true homicidal maniac responsible for the deaths of hundreds. Nighthawks‘ thrilling game of cat and mouse was a strong start to Stallone’s movie career in the 1980s. Its understated appeal signaled an alternative history where Stallone pursued more nuanced parts like this rather than embracing so many franchises and pure action movie roles.
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2 Rocky IV (1985)
Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa
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10/10 Rocky IV PGSportDrama
Rocky IV sees the return of Sylvester Stallone’s iconic heavyweight champion after his victory over Clubber Lang. When an exhibition match between Carl Weathers’ Apollo Creed and Dolph Lundgren’s USSR boxing star Ivan Drago goes wrong, Rocky Balboa puts all his efforts into defeating the Soviet athlete in order to honor his friend’s legacy and exalt America’s patriotic spirit.
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*Availability in US Director Sylvester Stallone Release Date November 27, 1985 Studio(s) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributor(s) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Writers Sylvester Stallone Cast Sylvester Stallone , Talia Shire , Burt Young , Carl Weathers , Brigitte Nielsen , Tony Burton , Michael Pataki , Dolph Lundgren Runtime 91 minutes Franchise(s) Rocky Sequel(s) Rocky Balboa , Creed , Rocky 5 , Creed II , Creed III prequel(s) Rocky 3 , Rocky II (1979) , Rocky Budget $30 million Main Genre Drama Expand
The greatest Rocky movie of the 1980s came with the release of Rocky IV, an underdog story that represented Rocky’s quest for glory and the intense Cold War conflicts of that decade. With Rocky Balboa facing off against ruthless Russian fighter Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren), this fourth entry included major events like the death of Apollo Creed in the ring against Drago and Rocky’s insane training montage in the snow-covered mountains.
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The training montage is an integral part of the Rocky and Creed series as they build anticipation, burst with inspiration, and represent motivation.
While Rocky IV was not without its imperfections, as aspects like Paulie’s robot painfully dated the movie to the 1980s, Stallone’s 2021 director’s cut Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago helped showcase the best of this beloved installment. Drago was such an enduring character that his legacy even played a major part in the subsequent Creed series as Lundgren came back to reprise his role. As the perfect combination of American idealism and Soviet determination, Rocky IV had a lot to say about U.S. political relations during the 1980s.
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1 First Blood (1982)
Sylvester Stallone as John J. Rambo
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10/10 First Blood (1982) RActionAdventureThrillerWar
First Blood is an action-thriller film starring Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo, a Vietnam War veteran who drifts into Hope, Washington, in search of an old buddy. However, he is mistreated by the local sheriff, leading to a violent confrontation that sets off a chain of events, forcing Rambo to rely on his combat skills to survive.
Director Ted Kotcheff Release Date October 22, 1982 Studio(s) Carolco Pictures , Anabasis N.V. , Elcajo Productions , Cinema 84 , Orion Pictures Writers William Sackheim , Sylvester Stallone , Michael Kozoll Cast Sylvester Stallone , Richard Crenna , Brian Dennehy , Bill McKinney , Jack Starrett Runtime 93 Minutes Budget 15000000.0 Main Genre Action Expand
First Blood signaled the dawning of a brand new icon of action movies and showcased that Sylvester Stallone was far more than just Rocky Balboa. As the PTSD-suffering Vietnam war veteran John Rambo, First Blood saw its troubled and misunderstood hero using his incredible combat and military skills to evade a massive manhunt by police and government troops in the small town of Hope, Washington.
As a well-paced story with an incredible lead performance, First Blood shone a light on the devastating effects of war and bloodshed on those soldiers trained to ruthlessly carry out warfare. First Blood was a thrilling survival adventure story, and Stallone was perfectly cast in this adaptation of a novel by David Morrell. While the subsequent movies in this franchise may have diluted the thematic relevance of the original, it must be admitted that First Blood was Sylvester Stallone’s crowning achievement in the 1980s.
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Sources: Ain’t It Cool News, Shock Cinema, Box Office Mojo
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