Today is National Vietnam War Veterans Day
First Blood is the first and best of the Rambo movies. Each sequel in the series became more simplistic and excessively militaristic. Based on David Morrell’s novel, First Blood has a dark somber tone and subtext completely missing in the other later works. The violence here is not exploitive but allows the viewers to enjoy the film on the surface as nothing more than an action/thriller. Howwever, there is a deeper level with something to say about returning war veterans and their problematic adjustment back to civilian life. The Vietnam veteran had the additional burden of facing a hostile homecoming. Unlike all previous veterans from earlier wars, the Vietnam veterans were not treated as heroes, instead they were met with disdain, spit upon, and even called baby killers.
Like many Vietnam Veteans, John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) has PTSD that went undetected. A former Green Beret, Rambo was the perfect fighting machine in Vietnam, but back home he can’t hold a job. He’s lost and travels aimlessly. In a small town in Washington State, he meets a hostile sheriff (Brian Dennehy). Rambo has a rebellious streak in him and it doesn’t sit well with the lawman and his crew. When cornered, he fights back the only way he can, the way they taught him.
First Blood, in its own crude way, shows why Vietnam Veterans deserve a day of their own. It may be hard to believe today that Veterans were treated with such scorn.
Having a day of their own is the least that we can do all these years later.
Read more about Vietnam Veterans War Day here.
John Greco Author/Photographer 
Hi is there any way I can get this sent to another email address? I use bharrelson63@msn.com now. Thank you. Beth
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The only ways I can think of are 1) Use a new user name like PETMOM1 linked to your new email or 2) Change the link to your current email from PETMOM. I hope one of these works.
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Reblogged this on Twenty Four Frames.
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Great review, John. I appreciate Rambo now more than I use to. Back in the day my guy friends were so enamored with it that I’d just roll my eyes. Now I understand more what it is that appealed to them so much. Incredibly, I think it’s Rambo’s vulnerability that strikes accord. Rambo was before it’s time.
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