War film so powerful it ‘changed culture and politics’ on ITV tonight | Films | Entertainment

It’s a war film so potent it’s said to have reshaped the cultural and political milieu upon its release, is set to air on ITV tonight.

The 1982 film, First Blood, which introduced audiences to the character of Rambo, stars Sylvester Stallone. The gripping narrative follows Vietnam veteran and drifter John J Rambo as he stumbles upon a small town in Washington while seeking an old comrade.

Confronted with the harsh bigotry of the town’s sheriff, Will Teasle, Rambo finds himself battling his inner turmoil when he is arrested and humiliated by the law enforcement officer and his deputies.

This triggers flashbacks to his traumatic experiences in the Vietnam War and as a prisoner of war, unleashing Rambo’s wrath on those attempting to detain him.

Barely escaping, the tables turn as the hunters become the hunted in this relentless action thriller.

Adapted from David Morrell’s novel of the same name and directed by Ted Kotcheff, First Blood was a box office sensation over four decades ago.

Despite initial critical disdain, the film’s reputation has evolved over time, and it is now hailed as a genre-defining masterpiece that influenced subsequent action films, reports <a href=”https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/awesome-war-film-invented-genre-36473579″ rel=”Follow” target=”_self”>the Mirror</a>.

Rambo boasts an outstanding 86 per cent approval rating on film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

One reviewer said: “Ted Kotcheff’s terse action thriller is a significant American film that changed culture and politics back in 1982, and still packs an 89 minute punch today.”

A second critic wrote: “Stallone brought intense physicality, obviously, but also hangdog vulnerability to a character who takes revenge on a cruel, unfeeling establishment and utters some of the most iconic lines in shoot’em’up history.”

Meanwhile, a third reviewer added: “A powerful, complex and captivating film that serves as a blockbuster action film and a serious drama.”

Cinema-goers have equally praised the movie.

One fans said: “Great action movie with an amazing monologue at the end that sums up what most Vietnam veterans felt like when they returned from the war.”

A fellow viewer added: “This movie delivers its message to the audience very well about the treatment of Vietnam War veterans. I love the ending performance of Sylvester Stallone being this broken man. Also, unlike most modern action movies, this movie doesn’t go over the top with special effects and unrealistic action scenes; it’s very simple and sticks to the plot.”

Meanwhile, another viewer wrote: “An amazing action thriller movie with some severely underrated hidden depths as it plays more like a post-war drama with action as the icing on the cake. That being said, the action itself is fantastic. The film’s more grounded and somber tone makes the action even more exciting and methodical. All shot in some gorgeous scenery of the Pacific Northwest.”

First Blood will air at 9.35pm on ITV4 on Saturday, January 3.

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