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Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna, Marc de Jonge, Kurtwood Smith, Spiros Focás ... see more see more... , Sasson Gabai , Doudi Shoua , Randy Raney , Marcus Gilbert , Alon Abutbul , Mahmoud Assadollahi , Joseph Shiloach , Harold Diamond , Mati Seri , Hany Said El Deen , Shaby Ben-Aroya , Marciano Shoshi , Tikva Aziz , Benny Bruchim , Tal Kastoriano , Julian Patrice , Rafi Milo , Sadiq Tawfiq , Maggie Cartier , Dalia Hovers , Joy Todd

The third entry in the ultra-macho Rambo action movie series finds muscle-bound warrior John Rambo (co-writer and star Sylvester Stallone) refusing a request from his former Vietnam superior, Green Be... read more read more...ret Colonel Trautman (Richard Crenna). Trautman is to lead a mission to aid the mujahedeen rebels fighting the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, but the Buddhist Rambo turns his friend down. When the mission goes awry and Trautman is subsequently captured and tortured within a prison fortress, Rambo launches a rescue effort of his own, armed with his trademark bow and exploding arrows. Along the way, he allies himself with the freedom fighters and runs afoul of the villainous Russian commander Zaysen (Marc de Jonge). At the time of its release, Rambo III -- released in the same month in 1988 that Russian troops began withdrawing from Afghanistan -- was the most expensive film ever made, at 63 million dollars. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Flixster Users

50% liked it

74,132 ratings

Critics

36% liked it

28 critics

R, 1 hr. 42 min.

Directed by: Peter MacDonald, Peter McDonald

Release Date: June 1, 1988

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DVD Release Date: November 23, 2004

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Stats: 2,801 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,801)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    May 10, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Rambo III is a change of pace for the character of John Rambo. Instead of taking the fight in an urban environment or the jungles of Vietnam, Rambo brings his fight to the deserts of Afghanistan. As his former C.O Col Trautman gets captured by Russian forces fighting clans in Afg... read morehnistan. Rambo stops at nothing to save his former C.O. Of all the Rambo films, Rambo III is one of my personal favorites along with the first. Rambo III is a favorite because as I've said, Rambo has a different battlefield to wage war on. The change of atmosphere makes the difference and is really a breath of fresh air. As with the first two, Rambo III is a well paced action film that delivers on the action. The way you enjoy a Rambo film is by seeing it as a popcorn flick. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but for action buffs looking for the ultimate adrenaline rush, you don't need to look any further than this film. With the Rambo films, I view them as flawless action films because everyone of them brings the necessary ingredients to create a tense, bold and thrilling action film that will entertain you and make you want more. Rambo III was at the time of its release the most violent of three and the most violent film released as well. However it was surpasssed by Rambo IV. Fans will most likely welcome Rambo's cgane of scenery. Rambo III posesses all the usually elements you'd expect from a Rambo film. An enjoyable action film, Rambo III is a perfect example of a well done action film thats desined to deliver ultimate thrills. This is a fun film with plenty of action. Though the acting is not great by any means, what makes Rambo films watchable is the adrenaline, pulse pounding thrills as displayed so well in this awesome franchise.
  • ythelastman89
    August 10, 2010
    ythelastman89
    I really don't understand the hatred and/or backlash for this at all. This is a sequel that wasn't just a carbon copy of the other two, it really had its own formula that for the most part works really well. Taking the story and characters to Afghanistan really changed the scope ... read moreof the series. Instead of being a claustrophobic bloodbath, this was more of an adventure film. Some of the side characters were unnecessary, sure, but it was never a determining factor in my love for the movie. It still has John Rambo doing what he does best.
  • SirPant
    August 4, 2010
    SirPant
    It's just awful and is the complete opposite of what was so good about the original.
  • kiriyamakazou
    July 2, 2010
    kiriyamakazou
    A further kick up the ass to the original film. Here Rambo continues to be an indestructible God of war. This time he's off to Afghanistan to save his commander and help out the locals. The Russians are out and about being all shady and weird and the dialogue is just as painful a... read mores always. In fact, the film has become more of a buddy comedy, with quick one-liners and bad puns littered throughout. At least there's no painful love story, but there is an annoying child character. The level of propaganda reaches satirical levels and the final horses vs. tanks is laughable. Another miss.
  • blacksheepboy
    November 3, 2009
    blacksheepboy
    Rambo joins Osama Bin Laden and the Mujahedeens against the Russians in this unnecessary, fairly watchable sequel full of endless explosions and tiresome action.
  • movieguru12
    November 18, 2008
    movieguru12
    Excellent sequel to First Blood Part ll. Again Sly wows me with his great and amazing abilities that he has as an actor.
  • matertenebraum
    August 30, 2008
    matertenebraum
    After 'First Blood', I assumed Stallone would have won an Oscar for his portrayal of troubled Vietnam veteran John 'Break Out The Knives' Rambo, and I supposed the fact he didn't was probably down to an oversight on behalf of the Academy or something.

    When he again failed to p... read moreick up the 'Best Actor' statuette after 'Rambo -First Blood, Part II', my suspicions began to rise ... but still I dismissed it as an unfortunate mistake.

    So imagine my fury when, after Rambo had not only saved imprisoned Vietnam veterans from years of incarceration at the bloodthirsty hands of the Vietcong, but also liberated the proud Afghans from the yoke of Communist oppression, he STILL did not receive the award that was rightfully his? Is this how America treats its war heroes? Because if it is, it's a bloody outrage. Not only did John Stallone liberate an entire country from the iron grip of the Great Bear, but he also found time to win the title of Heavyweight Champion of the World - not once, but THREE bloody times.

    If I was Sylvester Balboa, I would blow up planet Earth as punishment for being so damned ungrateful.
  • puffchunk
    August 3, 2008
    puffchunk
    Eh. Felt like they just really wanted another sequel. The only cool part was when he took care of his shrapnel wound with gun powder.
  • allan913
    May 28, 2008
    allan913
    Another explosive adventure in the series. Again rather over the top action and Stallone showing more muscle than talent.
  • superclerk25
    April 26, 2008
    superclerk25
    Not as good as the first two but it works as your normal action flick.

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
January 14, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

Always at ground zero in the chaos is Rambo -- gloriously, inhumanly impervious to fear and danger -- whose character is inhabited by Stallone with messianic intensity. Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Mr. Stallone has by now made Rambo parody-proof, since the character is every bit as laughable as he is grandiose; that's part of the fun. Full Review

Hal Hinson
January 1, 2000
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

Rambo may, in fact, have outlived his usefulness. His moment may have passed. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Stallone scripts the wall-to-wall explosions too haphazardly and unimaginatively. Full Review

Keith Uhlich
June 14, 2008
Keith Uhlich, UGO

Engages the plight of the Mujahideen with a humanizing, doc-like approach (fascinating to witness, all these years later, when the ally/enemy tables have turned so drastically). Full Review

Stefan Birgir Stefansson
February 3, 2008
Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is

Lacking the overall mojo of the first two

David Nusair
January 24, 2008
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...an entertaining, sporadically electrifying piece of work that makes up in thrills what it lacks in relevance. Full Review

Kim Newman
January 14, 2008
Kim Newman, Empire Magazine

Strays slightly from the formula and therefore loses some of its mindless fun credentials. Full Review

January 14, 2008
TV Guide's Movie Guide

A mindless and uninspired effort. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
December 30, 2006
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

It's a very bad film, but now has an interesting element when viewed in retrospect -- Rambo goes to Afghanistan to fight with the Mujaheddin against the Soviets. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Hamid: What's that?
    • John Rambo: It's blue light.
    • Hamid: What does it do?
    • John Rambo: It turns blue.
    • Colonel Zaysen: Drop your weapons! Now! You have no chance of escape! Come forward! I wish to take you back alive! This is your last warning! The choice is yours!
    • Col. Trautman: What do you say John?
    • John Rambo: Fuck 'em!
    • Moussa: You do not look like men Griggs sent before. You not look like you are with military.
    • John Rambo: I'm not.
    • Moussa: What you are? Mercenary?
    • John Rambo: No.
    • Moussa: You're not with military, not mercenary - what you are? Lost tourist?
    • John Rambo: I'm no tourist.
    • Colonel Zaysen: Who are you?
    • John Rambo: Your worst nightmare.
    • Col. Trautman: What do we do?
    • John Rambo: Well, surrounding them's out of the question...
    • Col. Trautman: [after barely escaping the explosion of a fuel bomb dropped by a helicopter] That was close John. How are you?
    • John Rambo: Well done.
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Rambo III Trivia

  • In The Guiness Book of World Records (1990), which film was noted for being the most violent,with 221 acts of violence and over 108 deaths?   Answer »
  • In Rambo III (1988), Sylvester Stallone spoke what became a popular catch phrase. When asked, "Who are you?" he replied, "Your worst _____________."  Answer »
  • 'Who are you?' Your Worst Nightmare!' This is from:  Answer »
  • Which of these films is not about attempts to free American prisoners of war in Vietnam?   Answer »
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