Craig Zablo’s StalloneZone

Archive for the ‘First Blood’ Category

Recently IGN.com posted their choices for The 10 Smartest Action Movies.  I’m happy to say that First Blood came in at #6.  You can see the whole list here.

On June 30, 2010, HopeStandard.com posted a nice article about a group of Rambo fans who are taking steps to save the bridge used in the filming of First Blood.  The efforts to save the bridge aren’t news to those that read the StalloneZone message boards, but the article may be.  Here are some highlights:

Camping on the river’s edge at the bridge, a camping spot soon to be no more after the new bridge is constructed, the young men spent an evening of round table discussion on which of the Rambo movie series was Sylvester Stallone’s best work. But there was also plenty of discussion over what a “waste it is to see a perfectly good bridge,” part of the town’s “heritage” dismantled.

Ideas from draw bridges and refits in order to keep the Rambo bridge as a pedestrian, biking route along the TransCanada Trail filled the Saturday evening conversation in camp.

…there appears to be a resurgence of fans since the new movie releases and the 25th anniversary of the original First Blood. According to Visitor InfoCentre staffer, Kimberly Campbell, “June 2010 has seen a flood of Rambo fans visiting the Hope Museum from all over the world. While it is typical for at least three or four groups to ask about First Blood every day, June has seen a rise in both the numbers and intensity of fans.”

“Recently, the Museum has been graced with the presence of visitors from Vancouver, Portland, Ontario, Germany, and the Netherlands who have come to Hope in large part because the movie was filmed here,” adds Campbell.

At the Hope Museum, visitors are able to re-view the movie First Blood, “or a number of special edition and behind-the-scenes versions of the movie, as well as a special documentary titled On the Set of First Blood,” adds Campbell. (On the Set of First Blood has been covered on the SZ and was created by SZoner, Herve Attia!  It’s excellent and should be in every Stallone fan’s collection. Also a tip of the Rambo bandanna to Regan Greenard! - Craig)

Go here to read the full article.

Mike Torrance pencils, inks and colors. Mike regular posts a sketchcard idea contest at Retro Cowboy Productions and his Deviant Art site.  Here’s how it works, Mike posts a subject and the first one to make request which fits the theme is the winner! This is the second time I’ve won [the theme this time: 80's Action Heroes -- the first time I won: Detectives].

Mike is available for commissions and his prices are very reasonable. Check him out.

There’s a nice little interview with Rambo creator, David Morrell over at Jonathan Maberry’s blog.  Here are a couple of quotes:

First Blood has been constantly in print for 38 years.

It’s an odd experience to be associated with one of the five most identifiable characters in the world, along with Sherlock Holmes, Tarzan, James Bond, and Harry Potter.

It’s pretty cool that Sly is associated with one of the five most identifiable characters in the world.

You can read the entire interview by clicking here.

I received an e-mail from SZoner, Herve Attia, who has impressed fans with his talent and dedication to re-visiting all of the locations used in filming “First Blood”.  Here’s what Herve had to say:

Dear Craig,

“On The Set of First Blood Part 4 - VC Commander” has been released today.  It can be watched at this link.  This is probably the final installment. I guess we have covered all the relevant First Blood filming locations. It has been fun to make.

Thanks again Herve for sharing your talent with us.  Also a special thanks for making the StalloneZone a small part of the video!  Thanks also to Raven! - Craig

Miguel Insignares is back with a new e-mail and art.  Miguel says:

Hey Craig-

Hope you had a good Thanksgiving.

Here’s my new illustration from First Blood featuring Rambo fighting back at the sheriff’s station. This is another StalloneZone exclusive and has never before been seen online until now! Thanks again and keep up the great job on this site.

-Miguel

Miguel — thanks for sharing your Stallone art here at the SZ.  You picked a cool scene from a great movie to illustrate.  I look forward to seeing more of your Stallone art here at the SZ as well as your The Rufnex: Island of the Dead comic [www.islandofthedead.com.

Beliefnet.com lists “Ten Military Movies to Celebrate Memorial Day” and “First Blood” makes the cut.  Here’s what they had to say:

“First Blood” (1982): This movie featured no war footage and, in fact, was set entirely in a little Northwest town. But it told the tale of Vietnam vets after they came home and illustrated the unfairly rough journey so many of them had to face. And Sly Stallone was both believable and restrained as a war hero who won sympathy for a generation of those who lived his on-screen fate.

Click here to see the full list.

Dear Mr Zablo,