The film was a critical and commercial success and not only spurred a number of sequels but a number of parodies as well. In 2008, it was chosen by Empire Magazine as one of the 500 Best Movies of All Time. Compared to the rest of the Rambo films, First Blood is not quite as violent or gory.
It was based on a novel by David Morrell and various forms of the screenplay were pitched to the studio. Stallone ended up rewriting the script and making the character of John Rambo more sympathetic to viewers.
The book has Rambo violently killing many of his pursuers, but in the movie, he is not directly responsible for the death of any policemen or national guardsmen. Stallone also decided to let Rambo survive at the end of the film.
In the book, he commits suicide at the end. However, a suicide scene was filmed before the final decision was made. However, in the end, instead of committing suicide, Rambo turns himself in.
This turned out to be a commercially successful decision as well as it allowed the Rambo films to continue and continue to bring in money at the box office.
