The ULTIMATE Behind-the-Scenes Book on the Film That Started It All

Cult and Iconic

Released in October 1982 in the United States, First Blood has since become both a cult classic and an iconic film.

Cult and iconic for having reshaped the language of the genre—its pacing, its violence, its silences—setting a new blueprint that would echo through the action films of the 1980s and 1990s.

Cult and iconic for introducing to pop culture a figure so potent—John Rambo—that his name alone entered the lexicon, turning into a verb, a symbol, a myth recognized across continents.

Cult and iconic for showcasing Sylvester Stallone at his most visceral and restrained, delivering a performance of surprising emotional gravity beneath the muscle-bound exterior.

Cult and iconic because, unlike many of its descendants, this first installment doesn’t merely entertain—it grapples with trauma, alienation, and post-war identity, anchoring its thrills in genuine psychological complexity.

Cult and iconic for the indelible mark it left on an entire generation, and for its uncanny ability to resonate with new audiences four decades later.

Cult and iconic because the film still holds its secrets—enigmas of production and creative intent that continue to spark debate, fascination, and myth-making.

OVER 40 YEARS LATER, THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES BOOK—AT LAST!

I first saw First Blood in March 1983, when it hit French theaters—and I’ve been waiting for this book ever since. For decades, I hoped someone would finally lift the veil on how this landmark film was made. But no such book came.

Two years ago, I realized time was running out. Many cast and crew members had already passed away. And indeed, in some way, it was already too late. So I decided to act—before the last voices, the final memories, disappeared for good. Following the old rule, “if you want something done right, do it yourself,” I launched an investigation of my own.

What followed was nearly two years of research, interviews, and deep dives into production archives. With each document, each conversation, and each unexpected revelation, the story began to take shape—scene by scene, frame by frame. From the early screenplay drafts to the final stages of post-production, through casting, design, and the trials of filming in the wild—everything is finally here, gathered in this book. At last.

5 Months of a Riveting Shoot: The Untold Story

The making of First Blood was anything but conventional. Far from the safety of studio backlots, the production unfolded deep in the Canadian wilderness—at the mercy of punishing weather and the logistical chaos of a fully outdoor shoot.

Quickly it spiraled out of control, nearly tripling its originally planned duration—and its budget.

It turned a small town in British Columbia into an open-air film set, pulsing day and night to the rhythm of explosions lighting up the sky.

It was also the stage for countless tensions: crew members clashing with producers, Kirk Douglas walking off set after just five days, and Stallone under extreme pressure.

TONS of Interviews

Actors, stunt performers, technicians, production assistants, storyboard artists, military advisors, paramedics, extras... I conducted around thirty interviews that shed light on an intense, sometimes chaotic shoot, where precision and discipline met the harshness of the conditions.

For the first time, the behind-the-scenes stories of First Blood's iconic action scenes are revealed. The stunts in the canyon, the cliff jump, the town’s explosive sequences—all orchestrated with impressive technical expertise—showcase the craftsmanship of those who brought this film to life. You’ll dive deep into the work of this dedicated team of professionals who, together, shaped the legend.

Rare and Exclusive photos

Photos will, of course, take center stage in this book. Exploring First Blood is also designed as a stunning cinema book, where every page is an invitation to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of this legendary shoot.

For months, I searched tirelessly for every possible image, and in the end, I managed to gather rare and previously unseen photographs. These visual fragments silently capture the intensity and essence of this remarkable cinematic journey.

From Novel to Legend

Before First Blood became the cult film we know today, it was a novel. A gripping, raw, and brutal story, born from the mind of David Morrell. But the road from page to screen was anything but straightforward.

A Comprehensive, In-Depth Analysis

The book will offer a detailed analysis of Ted Kotcheff’s direction, revealing how he takes the most direct path to gripping both the heart and gut of the audience. How he masterfully wields the art of subtext, ambiguity, and suggestion while maintaining a sharp sense of rhythm and action.

The book will also include an exclusive interview with Thom Noble, the film’s editor and an Academy Award winner for Witness (1985), directed by Peter Weir and starring Harrison Ford.

The Legacy

With its hero meeting a fatal end, no one could have predicted—while reading the original novel—that a successful franchise would emerge from it. But Stallone, Andrew Vajna, and Mario Kassar saw the power of the character and recognized a golden opportunity. Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985, George P. Cosmatos), Rambo III (1988, Peter MacDonald), Rambo (2008, Sylvester Stallone), and Rambo: Last Blood (2019, Adrian Grunberg).

Let’s be clear—none of these sequels managed to recapture the depth and raw tension of the original. However, I will dedicate a chapter of the book to this cinematic lineage, which, in its own way, helped shape the modern myth we know today.