First Blood part 1: why the anger on Rambo?

Im not from the US, and one thing that I respect and even wanted my country to have is the respect the general people have for the military. Often when you meet someone in military outfit you say "thanks for your service" to me this sounds so cool and respectful. But what happens on Rambo has twisted my mind: why did the police despise Rambo so much for using an army jacket? I understand the Vietnam war is a delicated subject but personal opinions aside, the boys were sent to fight and die so... I didn't expect this unkindness towards Rambo. Anyone cares to explain a little ?

This website has a lot of discussions and view points on this very subject.
https://movies.stackexchange.com/que...o-s-appearance

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Did you know that in the 1980s movie PREDATOR the titular character was not originally portrayed by Kevin Peter Hall. It was in fact Jean-Claude Van Damme donning a much more insect inspired full body suit before he left the production which then led to the recasting and redesigning of the famous hunter.

I've always felt the sheriff's issue was more with Rambo's overall appearance, which was more akin to a hobo than a soldier/veteran, and him walking by disrupting any status quo he might have on his little town.

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The responses to Vietnam, specifically, were very different than the responses to other military conflicts or military service in general.

It's also probably made a bit more over the top (which is literally the title of another Stallone film, appropriately enough) simply because that's the kind of movie it is.

Veeeery different social views in two very different times.


At risk of reading cynical (and stepping on some potentially taboo topics?), I feel it's become politically fashionable to actively show gratitude to service-men and -women the last two decades. At least that's from my own point of view, anecdotal that it is. I feel there was a cultural shift on that front after U.S. September 11.


Vietnam, on the other hand, was external relative to the events of 2001. Less relatable to the average citizen? Not to mention all the cultural and political divides of that time, hippy associations, deserter "draft dodging" flag burners, drug abuse, freeloading homelessness and all the cliches. It's been forever since I've seen this movie but if I remember correctly, wasn't much of the initial conflict with his appearance and lack of cooperation when questioned and arrested? In vs Outgroup type stuff? "How dare you question my authori'tay!?" attitudes.


Prejudices were defined before they knew who he was, I think. And honestly, I think knowing would have only reinforced those stereotypes given his appearance and attitude. 'Yeah, druggy deserter hippy trash.... Let's beat/break 'em down to respect his place in our small community hierarchy!!'


Just opinion tho. But these are two very different times to compare.

The Sheriff Teasle Character was a Korean War Veteran so thought of himself as a superior soldier. Vietnam was viewed as an absolute failure, so I guess he thought Rambo was a soft touch and not up to scratch.



Well.................he was proved wrong.

I agree with this.

Hope, Washington, idyllically tucked away into the Cascade Mountains in Liggett County maintains a delicate balance which is not easy to keep in equilibrium. Outsiders set things out of whack. People from places like Cleveland and Easter Island are familiar with these pressures. Rambo wandering into town threatened to throw off that balance. Teasle knew this. A little back story to explain.

William Wright Teasle was born on March 31, 1930 in Walla Walla, Washington. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Walla Walla in 1948. He then went on to attend Wenatchee Community College, graduating in 1950 with an associate's degree in criminal justice.

Teasle was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1950 and saw combat at the Chosin Reservoir that same year during the Korean War. In that engagement he saw something he wasn't supposed to see, vampires fighting their way out of a crossfire between Chinese and American forces in a desperate attempt to find shelter before dawn. The Initiative realized that they would either need to kill Teasle to shut him up... ...or recruit him. Teasle would go on to do many more combat missions. He trained extensively for night patrol in Korea against Chinese Irregular Vampire Forces (CIVF) and went on to win the Distinguished Service Cross. Upon returning from Korea, Teasle was contacted by the Watcher's Council and asked to move to Hope, WA to help keep an eye on the Hellmouth located there. During this time he met and fought alongside a few slayers, always keeping an eye for weird happenings and people who didn't quite belong in town. When John Rambo showed up, Teasel pegged him as a potential vengeance demon, and acted quickly to get him on his way out of town, just in case. Teasle did not realize that one does not simply escort a demon of vengeance out of town...

Teasle's half-measurewhich resulted in the destruction of half the town, would make an impression on a young Mike Ehrmantraut.

Vampires and Mike Ehrmantraut references? Here I thought there was only one great thing that came from this movie.

Some would say the Jacob Battat version is the definitive recording of this masterpiece.

I've watched the movie with Stallone's commentary.

He says Sheriff Teasle is a Korean War Veteran... so he instantly hates Rambo for his involvement in Vietnam.
Stallone explains that Vietnam and Korea, were just as bad as each other, yet Vietnam got more press, more hate, and also more sympathy. Whereas Teasle's war in Korea, got almost nothing.
Put simply, Teasle's jealous of Rambo for taking part in a war that everyone felt shouldn't have happened, yet he and the other soldiers, get so much attention.

Teasle probably doesn't realise his own feelings. It's a deep down, deeply routed seed of hatred.
He uses excuses of not wanting scruffy vagabonds in his town and not wanting trouble in the town. Teasle feels unconsciously that he deserves recognition for Korea, but never got it.

The bets are is that Teasle has PTSD, the same as Rambo, but it manifests in a different way.
Rambo is quiet, unassuming, yet snaps when pushed.
Teasle is vindictive, egotistical, unconsciously harbours jealousy and regret, and passes judgement on people based simply on their social standing and uses his status as Sheriff as an excuse to bully anyone he decides is lower than himself.

He's also overly cautious. When he attempts to search Rambo, and Rambo pulls away, Teasle immediately changes his attitude, placing his hand on his sidearm, and tells Rambo to place his hands on the car.
Any sign of conflict, any sign whatsoever, Teasle immediately goes to his firearm.
Not in aggression, but in defence, and would kill someone without hesitation. In his mind, it would be defence... even if the conflict itself didn't warrant him shooting someone. In his mind though, the gun is the only option if someone is being difficult.
This again is a sign of PTSD. The best defence, is to take the offence, and take it to the extreme.

But, yeah, from Stallone himself, the hatred toward Rambo, particularly from Teasle, is jealousy and regret.

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