Where was First Blood filmed? Shooting location of the first movie of the Rambo series, revisited

When we think of classic war action movies, First Blood (1982) is one of the films that always comes to mind. The Sylvester Stallone-starring film remains the most successful in the entire franchise, with the latest called Rambo: Last Blood arriving in 2019. There's no announcement of another film, but a television series is reportedly a prequel to the movie.

The film follows Stallone's John Rambo, who arrives in the town of Hope, Washington, is escorted back from it, returns, and then tries to leave. That's the main story of the film. However, the town of Hope is actually in British Columbia, Canada, where most of the film is shot.

Other locations are also featured, mostly in British Columbia. Interestingly, the crew had to contend with unseasonably warm weather, despite planning to shoot the movie under overcast skies.

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First Blood filming locations

The Sellwood Bridge, Portland

The opening scene of the film shows John Rambo arriving in the town of Hope, but he isn't welcomed there. The town's sheriff, Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy), wants him to leave and personally escorts him out. We see a bridge where he is dropped off, which is actually the Sellwood Bridge in Portland, Oregon. You can't find it now because it was rebuilt in 2015.

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885 Water Ave, Hope

The First Blood scene, where Rambo tries to escape the town of Hope, Washington, on a motorcycle he steals like it's GTA, features 885 Water Ave. As our hero has already endured traumatic experiences back in Vietnam, his memories flood back while he's being tortured by the sheriff's men.

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Othello Tunnels, Hope

After much hustle and tussle, Rambo tries to escape but ends up hanging on a cliff, and cruel Sgt. Art catches him there in a helicopter. By this point, Rambo is just a sitting duck, more like hanging. This scene was shot in Othello Tunnels, Hope.

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3 Ave & Commission St, Hope

Rambo is armed with an arsenal and driving a truck, which he successfully navigates through a roadblock and ends up near a gas station. Without wasting any time, he sets the truck and the station on fire in this First Blood scene, shot at 3rd Ave & Commission St, Hope.

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325 Wallace St, Hope

This is one of those moments in cinema history that will leave audiences shaken to their cores. Throughout First Blood, we see Rambo as a rebellious, last remaining veteran from the Green Berets. Still, as soon as he is confronted by his mentor, Colonel Sam Trautman (Richard Crenna), all his negative experiences come rushing back, revealing a new side of Rambo who is disgusted by his inability to even hold a job. This emotional sequence was filmed at 325 Wallace St., Hope. After this, Rambo surrenders.

As of this writing, First Blood is fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with an 86% approval rating on both the Tomatometer and the Popcornmeter.

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