Category: First Blood

Saving the Rambo Bridge

Craig / / 2010, First Blood, Sly Fan

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’s First Blood

Craig / / 2010, Craig's Sly Art, First Blood

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.

Interview with Rambo Creator, David Morrell

Craig / / 2010, Books, First Blood, Rambo

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.

On the Set of “First Blood”

Craig / / 2009, Fan Art, First Blood

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: 1st Blood Shave

Craig / / 2009, Fan Art, First Blood

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.

“First Blood” Makes the List

Craig / / 2009, First Blood, Honors

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.

Hervé Attia’s First Blood

Craig / / 2008, First Blood, Sly Fan

Dear Mr Zablo,

My name is Herve Attia. I’ve always been a big fan of First Blood movie since it came out in 1982. So, last month, I went to Hope, Canada, visiting the First Blood filming locations which includes Othello/Coquihalla Provincial park, Lake Pitt river (Coquitlam)…

I made a movie which is composed of two parts posted on YouTube.
Part1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc7pMuaku1o
Part2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc7pMuaku1o

If you like the movie…and think it deserves an entry/post in your web site, don’t ask me the permission 🙂 it would be an honor! I’ve always been a big fan of stallonezone.com.

PS: I had the great privilege having Mr Andrew Laszlo (director of photography) watching the movie. He really enjoyed it. This was definitely my best reward. 🙂 Sincerely, -Hervé Attia

—–
Herve has created a beautiful, creative video love letter to “First Blood.” Thanks to Herve for sharing his talents with us. I hope that we get to see more! – Craig


Rambo Collector’s Set Contest

Craig / / 2008, First Blood, John Rambo, Rambo, Rambo 2, Rambo 3
On Tuesday, May 27th, for the first time, LIONSGATE will release all four Rambo films together in Rambo: The Complete Collector’s Set. To celebrate the release of these great action movies, LIONSGATE has provided me with three sets to award to three lucky winners.

Before we learn about how to enter the contest, let’s take a look at this 6-disc super set which comes in a limited edition metal tin and includes First Blood: Ultimate Edition, Rambo First Blood Part II: Ultimate Edition, Rambo III: Ultimate Edition and the latest installment, Rambo: 2-Disc Special Edition (which includes a digital copy of the film). Each film comes with bonus features (over 20 in all) plus the set includes a special bonus disc with 10 featurettes and the theatrical trailers for all four films.

First Blood: Ultimate Edition: DVD Special Features:

  • Audio commentary with Sylvester Stallone
  • Audio commentary with author David Morrell
  • Alternate Ending
  • Seven Interactive Military Special Operations Features

Rambo First Blood Part II: DVD Special Features:

  • Audio commentary with director George P. Cosmatos
  • Seven Interactive Military Special Operations Features

Rambo III: Ultimate Edition Synopsis: DVD Special Features:

  • Audio commentary with director Peter MacDonald
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Seven Interactive Military Special Operations Features

Rambo: 2-Disc Special Edition Synopsis: Rambo Disc 1 DVD Special Features:

  • Audio commentary by Sylvester Stallone
  • Deleted Scenes
  • “Legacy of Despair: The Struggle in Burma” featurette
  • “It’s a Long Road: Resurrection of an Icon” featurette
  • “A Score to Settle: The Music of Rambo” featurette
  • “The Art of War: Completing Rambo” featurette
  • “The Weaponry of Rambo” featurette
  • “A Hero’s Welcome: Release & Reaction” featurette

Rambo Disc 2 DVD Special Features:

  • Digital Copy of the feature film

BONUS FEATURES DISC

  • “The Real Nam: Voices from Within” featurette
  • “Guts and Glory” featurette
  • “The Forging of Heroes: America’s Green Berets” featurette
  • “Rambo-nomics” featurette
  • “Selling a Hero” featurette
  • “Suiting Up” featurette
  • “An American Hero’s Journey: The Rambo Trilogy” featurette
  • “Drawing First Blood” featurette
  • “We Get to Win This Time” featurette
  • “Afghanistan: Land in Crisis” featurette
  • Plus – Theatrical Trailers for all 4 Films

Now on to the contest:

  • Simply post which of the Rambo movies is your favorite and why.
  • E-mail Craig at stallonezone.com with your name and mailing address. In the subject line put RAMBO CONTEST.
  • The contest runs from today until 12pm EST May 31, 2008.
  • I will then randomly draw three names and forward the winners information to LIONSGATE who will then send out the prizes.
  • At the request of the LIONSGATE, only U.S. readers may enter.
  • Winners will be announced on the next update following the conclusion of the contest.
  • Only one entry per mailing address will be accepted.
  • If you can not wait to win, then click HERE.