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First Blood (also known as Rambo: First Blood Part 1 outside the United States) is a 1982 action/thriller film directed by Ted Kotcheff. The film stars Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo, a troubled and misunderstood Vietnam War veteran, with Sheriff Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy) as his nemesis and Colonel Samuel Trautman (Richard Crenna) as his former commander and only ally. It was released on October 22, 1982. Based on David Morrell's 1972 novel of the same name, it was the first of the Rambo series. Unlike the sequels, which were war adventure films set in foreign countries, First Blood was a post-Vietnam War psychological thriller set in the United States. First Blood lacks the gore and violence that would become a trademark of the series, as Art Galt's death is the only death in the film.

Since its release, First Blood has been a critical and commercial success and has had a lasting influence on the genre. It has also spurred countless parodies. The film is notable for its psychological portrayal of the after-effects of the Vietnam War, particularly the challenges faced by American veterans attempting to re-integrate into society, something not deeply examined in subsequent Rambo movies.

In the United States, the film was released as First Blood. In International markets, the film was re-titled Rambo: First Blood. In some other countries, the film was titled simply Rambo. In Spain and Latin America the film was titled Acorralado (Surrounded). A few years after the film's release, the film was broadcast on television as Rambo in the United States.

The film has not escaped criticism. Although Bill Chambers of Film Freak Central praised Stallone's performance, stating that he hits his climactic breakdown monologue out of the park” with a performance that was “sweet and moving,” he gave the film two stars out of four. He stated devotees of Joseph Campbell embrace First Blood because it has clear mythological roots, but recognizable art isn't always valid art .[21] Brian Webster of the Apollo film site called First Blood, an embarrassingly sloppy production,” with a weak script.[22] Leonard Maltin gave the film one-and a half stars out of four, saying that it throws all creditability to the winds about the time [Rambo] gets off with only a bad cut after jumping from a mountain into some jagged rocks. [23]