Tag: ted kotcheff

First Blood

First Blood is a 1982 movie directed by Ted Kotcheff.

WHAT HAPPENS?

A Vietnam veteran is harassed by local police and flees into the mountains, where he wages a one-man war.

ONE LINE REVIEW

First Blood represents the end of 1970’s filmmaking and birth of 1980’s super action heroes.

THE ACTORS

Sylvester Stallone portrays John Rambo, a withdrawn Vietnam veteran who finds himself harassed by police in a small mountain town. Stallone adds subtle layers of humanity to his character – at least until he retreats to the woods and becomes a one-man killing machine. Stallone easily pulls off the action scenes, yet is effective in conveying Rambo’s intense PTSD and the ingenuity of a man adapting to his environment.

Brian Dennehy is tremendous as Teasle, the town’s sheriff who instantly targets Rambo as a “drifter.” Initially, he defends his actions as keeping the town “boring”, but then escalates his actions once both his deputies are killed and state police and military intervene. Teasle’s deputies include memorable turns by Chris Mulkey and David Caruso. However, the scene stealer is Richard Crenna’s Trautman – who reveals himself as Rambo’s Vietnam squad leader. Crenna gets to deliver some wonderfully verbose and over the top dialogue.

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Wake in Fright

Wake in Fright is a 1971 movie directed by Ted Kotcheff.

WHAT HAPPENS?

A schoolteacher gambles his money away and is trapped in a remote town full of drunken, crazy locals.

ONE LINE REVIEW

Wake in Fright is a tense story of aggressive masculinity and isolation.

THE ACTORS

Gary Bond stars as John Grant, a highly educated and unhappy school teacher who finds himself stranded in a remote Outback town. Bond captures the character’s elitism and disdain, along with both a sense of fear and occasional jubilant bursts. Bond gives a tremendous performance – his expressive eyes signal the disgust and wonder of his new surroundings – it’s an intriguing performance.

Donald Pleasence leads the supporting cast as the alcoholic Doc Tydon. Pleasence creates a character that is indulgent, grotesque, witty and subtly terrifying. Physically, Pleasence embodies the chaos of the character – he’s filthy and exhibits no boundaries – there’s an extreme sense of danger emanating from his actions. At times, his character is completely revolting.

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