First Blood’s Legacy: Why Experts Say Rambo’s Survival Skills Are 100% Legit

When First Blood hit theaters in 1982, it quietly revolutionized the action genre. Best remembered today as Rambo: First Blood, the film not only cemented Sylvester Stallone’s reputation as a Hollywood heavyweight beyond Rocky, but also set a standard for authenticity rarely seen in action movies. Now, decades later, a real-life Special Ops veteran has given Stallone’s portrayal of John Rambo’s survival skills an almost perfect score — proof that First Blood still holds a unique place in cinematic history.

Former Special Ops member Bob Kellar recently spoke to Insider about the realism behind Rambo’s tactics in the film. Far from dismissing the action as Hollywood exaggeration, Kellar praised Stallone’s depiction of wilderness survival and combat skills as “100% legit.” Reflecting on Rambo’s background as a Special Forces veteran from Vietnam, Kellar said, “Being in the woods, you’ll be trained on booby traps and all these tactics. John Rambo trained on that all the time. Like, you’re done. He knows how to live in the woods.” He added, “Even though the scenes might look a little bit hanky… the reality of it, of this guy doing all that stuff to these guys and it being that easy? 100% legit. I mean I give it a 9.5, easy.”

First Blood stands apart from its more explosive sequels by offering a raw, character-driven narrative about a broken veteran pushed to the brink. Its grounded tone and sharp storytelling made it an instant classic, reflected in its enduring critical acclaim — the film holds an 86% score from both critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, the highest in the franchise. Financially, it was also a success, pulling in $125 million worldwide and laying the foundation for a billion-dollar franchise.

While later entries like Rambo: First Blood Part II and Rambo III cranked up the spectacle, few matched the original’s emotional depth and authenticity. Surprisingly, 2019’s Rambo: Last Blood came close to matching First Blood’s audience approval rating (81%) but was critically panned with a dismal 26% on the Tomatometer.

Ultimately, First Blood‘s depiction of survival and resilience — bolstered by Stallone’s committed performance and Kellar’s expert validation — has ensured its place as not just a seminal action film, but a touchstone for realism in Hollywood’s portrayal of military veterans. For fans and real-life warriors alike, Rambo’s first fight remains the gold standard.