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Despite the massive box office gross of "First Blood", it has always been a mighty pain in the ass experience on video. Finally, fans can enjoy this film on a superb DVD release.

"First Blood" was until recently a rarity on VHS, remaining deleted for many years. Having passed through three UK distributors, it has been presented in a worn, murky print with sound problems and incorrect 'stretched' ratios to boot, including this year's box set video release.

The rights now rest in the hands of new distributors on the block, Momentum Pictures Â鶹ԼÅÄ Entertainment. They have delivered nothing short of a revelation on DVD. Presented in the correct ratio, this disc boasts a fine anamorphic transfer that reveals a handsomely shot movie. All the dark forest scenes are now blessed with new levels of detail and subtlety, that for years was just a grainy, dreary mess on tape.

The sound track has been re-worked into a fresh 2.0 Dolby Surround mix that throws up a variety of subtle atmospherics that really enhance the thrills. Some superb thunder effects roll around the room during the chase sequences and really add excitement.

This is not a DVD of many extras. Only two trailers feature, but anyone who has suffered this movie on VHS will be delighted with the quality of the film transfer on disc.

Read about "Rambo: First Blood Part II" and "Rambo III" on DVD.

Chapters: 20
Ratio: 2.35:1
Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0
Extra Features: Scene selection, trailer, teaser trailer, animated menus, multiple languages, subtitles, English for the hearing impaired.