First Blood

Ted Kotcheff

Sylvester Stallone stars in this franchise-launching action thriller as Vietnam vet John Rambo, who travels to Washington state to visit an old war buddy. The trip takes a turn for the ultraviolent when the sadistic local authorities decide to make an example of him.

DIRECTOR
Ted Kotcheff
YEAR
1982
COUNTRY
USA
RUNTIME
93 minutes

New 4K restoration!

According to Hoberman, “First Blood turned the assumptions of the returning vet films inside out . . . Rambo is everything: super-grunt, Green Beret, hippie protester, VC guerrilla, righteous outlaw, Hollywood Freedom Fight, total violence, the War itself. First Blood was a manifestation of the nation’s unresolved Vietnam trauma.” Fresh off his ascent to superstardom with the first two Rocky films, Sylvester Stallone stars in this franchise-launching action thriller as Vietnam vet John Rambo, who travels to Washington state to visit an old war buddy—who, it turns out, has died from cancer caused by exposure to Agent Orange. But the trip takes a turn for the ultraviolent when the sadistic local authorities decide to make an example of the wayward commando, and Rambo finds himself with no choice but to put his combat skills to use in taking down these bad actors with badges. 

2-for-1 double feature with Conan the Barbarian!

The 2-for-1 double feature discount will automatically be reflected in the check-out process once both screenings have been added to your cart. As a reminder, this special pricing is only valid for double feature pairings on the same day.

First Blood
First Blood
First Blood

Read More

Announcements

Running August 12 through August 20, the 16-film festival will premiere new works alongside special presentations of spine-tingling classics and rediscoveries conjured from the dark recesses of midnight-movie lore, with filmmakers and special guests appearing for post-screening Q&As. 

Podcast

This week we’re excited to present a conversation from the 2026 edition of New Directors/New Films with Do You Love Me director Lana Daher.

Videos

On the latest episode of FLC Luminaries, our video series that spotlights talent at all levels of the filmmaking process who uplift the art and craft of cinema, Rose of Nevada director Mark Jenkin discusses his sci-fi-tinged tale of dislocation and regeneration.

Make FLC Your Home for Cinema

Member Discount on All Tickets

NYFF Pre-Sale Access

Pre-sale Access to FLC Series and Festivals

Free Tickets

Exclusive Events

Members-only Newsletter

Film at Lincoln Center Logo

Walter Reade Theater + Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center

165 and 144 W 65th Street

New York, NY 10023


212.875.5825

Be the first to hear exciting news and announcements from FLC, including upcoming programming, special offers, added tickets, and more.