Rambo is a very famous film series today. However, had it been up to the creative minds behind the first film, there would never have been a sequel. It only changed when Sylvester Stallone stepped in.
What some fans of the Rambo series may have forgotten: The first part was quite dark. It had nothing to do with the overflowing action fireworks of the later installments.
On the contrary: Rambo 1 told a rather tragic story, inspired by a real person. The title character is a veteran of the Vietnam War who has difficulty processing this terrible time. When he reaches a small town, he gets into a conflict with the local police. Rambo has to flee into the nearby woods and engages in a fight with his opponents.
In comparison to its sequels, the film is told rather quietly. Rambo is not a shining action hero but a war-torn veteran. The screenwriters, however, had an ending in mind that would have prematurely ended the entire film series.
An ending that was too dark even for Stallone
Warning Spoiler: Although the film is already 44 years old, here is a warning. We reveal the ending of Rambo 1.
What did the original ending look like? According to the novel’s source, Rambo’s story would have ended badly. At least for the protagonist. The film’s director, Ted Kotcheff, told Entertainment Weekly that Rambo was actually supposed to die.
At the end of the film, he is indeed arrested and would have taken his own life in the original screenplay. Thus, a sequel with the character would have been impossible.
Sylvester Stallone, who wasn’t supposed to play the role at all, shot the scene as written. However, after filming, he went to his director and urged to reconsider this dark ending. Ted Kotcheff recalls:
Sylvester stood up and said: ‘Ted, can I talk to you for a second?’ He said: ‘You know, Ted, we put this character through so much. The police mistreat him. He is endlessly pursued. Dogs are sent after him. He jumps off cliffs. He runs through icy water. He gets shot in the arm and has to stitch the wound himself. All that and now we are supposed to kill him?
Ted Kotcheff via Entertainment Weekly
Stallone’s demand had an effect: The film’s ending was reshot and matches the conclusion we know from the film. Rambo is still arrested here and speaks with the police chief about his war experiences. Subsequently, he is led away.
This ending was received much better by the test audience. Even if it still isn’t a classic happy ending, at least there was some hope for the battered Rambo.
Filmmakers owe it to Sylvester Stallone that Rambo eventually became a major franchise. There are now four sequels. The character is among the most famous action heroes of the 80s and has now reached cult status. Stallone himself has recently struggled with negative criticism: ‘As if it was filmed in 2 days’ – No one, really no one recommends the new film with Sylvester Stallone on Rotten Tomatoes
