First Blood is a 1982 American action film starring Sylvester Stallone as Vietnam War veteran John Rambo. The film was directed by Ted Kotcheff and co-written by Michael Kozoll, William Sackheim, and Stallone based on the 1972 novel First Blood by David Morrell. It is the first installment in the Rambo film series. The story follows Rambo, who, after entering a small town and clashing with the police, attempts to fight in order to survive a manhunt using his expertise in survival and combat skills obtained from fighting in Vietnam. The film costars Richard Crenna as Rambo's mentor Colonel Sam Trautman and Brian Dennehy as Sheriff Will Teasle.