First Blood (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Founder | David Morrell |
| Products | Action-thriller novel |
First Blood is a 1972 American action-thriller novel authored by David Morrell, centering on a troubled homeless Vietnam War veteran named Rambo. The story follows his violent confrontation with local and state law enforcement in Kentucky. This work was later adapted into the 1982 film First Blood, featuring Sylvester Stallone and spawning the Rambo franchise.
Plot
Rambo, a homeless Vietnam veteran, arrives in Madison, located in Basalt County, Kentucky, where he is confronted by Police Chief Wilfred Teasle, who demands that he leave town. After Rambo repeatedly returns, Teasle arrests him on charges of vagrancy and resisting arrest, detaining him for 35 days. While confined in a small cell, Rambo reflects on his time as a prisoner of war in Vietnam and assaults officers during a forced haircut. He manages to escape custody by killing an officer, stealing a motorcycle, and seeking refuge in the surrounding mountains.
In response, Teasle assembles a posse composed of himself, local officers, and hunter Orval Kellerman with trained dogs to capture Rambo before state police can intervene. During his evasion, Rambo encounters moonshiners who provide him with clothing, food, and a rifle. When cornered by a helicopter, Rambo shoots at it, causing the pilot to crash and the aircraft to explode. Amid the ensuing turmoil, two dogs fall off a cliff along with an officer, while Kellerman sustains fatal injuries.
Teasle's men expend much ammunition attempting to kill Rambo; some abandon the pursuit as an approaching storm looms. Rambo scavenges weapons from those he has overcome and methodically eliminates Teasle’s team until only Teasle remains. Anticipating an ambush from the battle-hardened Teasle, Rambo’s vigilance allows Teasle to slip away. State police then rescue Teasle and call in the National Guard to aid in the manhunt.
Teasle discovers that Rambo is a former elite Green Beret with expertise in guerrilla warfare and a Medal of Honor recipient. Since his discharge, Rambo has struggled to maintain steady employment and lives as a drifter. Although harboring resentment over fallen officers, Teasle sympathizes with Rambo’s situation but insists on continuing the pursuit despite his deteriorating health. Rambo battles between his combat instincts and desire for survival but refuses to retreat.
Captain Sam Trautman, head of the Green Beret program, coordinates National Guard operations to track down the injured and starving Rambo. After civilians hunting him are killed, Rambo seeks shelter in an abandoned mine but is attacked by bats while searching for escape routes. Meanwhile, Teasle collapses but recovers in town with a vision that reveals Rambo’s likely path.
Rambo steals a police vehicle and dynamite before destroying much of Madison, including the police station and gas stations. Teasle shoots Rambo in the chest but sustains injuries himself. As Trautman and National Guard forces arrive, Rambo prepares to end his life using dynamite. When Teasle approaches, Rambo fires to draw attention but accidentally wounds him. Too weak to ignite the fuse properly, Rambo is fatally shot in the head by Trautman. He dies content with his fate; Teasle experiences a moment of compassion before succumbing himself.
Background
Morrell was motivated to write this novel based on accounts from his students who served in Vietnam. He acknowledged Geoffrey Household’s Rogue Male as a significant influence on his work. The protagonist’s name partially derives from the Rambo apple variety brought home by Morrell’s wife while he was deciding on it. Additionally, World War II hero Audie Murphy inspired aspects of the character, particularly regarding struggles with untreated post-traumatic stress disorder. The fictional town of Madison, Kentucky, draws its model from Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.
Reception
John Skow of Time labeled the book as "carnography" while recognizing its impressive technical merits. The novel has been made available in 30 different languages.
Film adaptation
Shortly after First Blood was published, Cuban-Italian actor Tomas Milian expressed interest in starring in a film adaptation; however, Italian producers rejected the idea. Milian later adopted the name "Rambo" for a character in a 1975 movie.
In 1972, Morrell sold the film rights to Columbia Pictures, which subsequently transferred them to Warner Bros. For a decade, the project languished in development limbo, passing through three studios and undergoing eighteen script revisions. Eventually, producers Andrew G. Vajna and Mario Kassar secured the rights and chose Sylvester Stallone to lead, capitalizing on his fame from Rocky. Stallone influenced the screenplay to portray Rambo more sympathetically—diminishing the number of on-screen deaths and ensuring Rambo survived, contrasting with the novel’s conclusion. Additionally, Trautman’s character was modified to reduce his personal connection with Rambo.
Initially, veteran actor Kirk Douglas was cast as Trautman with top billing but exited due to creative differences over the ending—he preferred Rambo to die at Trautman's hands as depicted in the book. Rock Hudson declined the role citing health concerns, leading to Richard Crenna’s swift casting, while Stallone received top billing.
The film introduced Rambo’s first name "John," inspired by the song "When Johnny Comes Marching Home." First Blood achieved significant box office success, grossing $125 million on a $15 million budget and establishing the foundation for the entire Rambo franchise.
Following the film’s success, David Morrell authored the novelization for Rambo: First Blood Part II.
Further reading
- Stiffed by Susan Faludi (1999). Chapter 7 (pp. 359–406) offers an extensive examination of First Blood, tracing its transformation from book to film and detailing major screenplay changes and alternative endings.