Summary

• Rambo evolved from a thoughtful portrayal of a PTSD-stricken veteran in First Blood to an over-the-top action hero in subsequent movies.
• Iconic Rambo quotes capture the character's inner struggle and his dual identity as a tragic hero and a one-man army.
• Rambo's memorable lines, like "Nothing is over! Nothing!" in First Blood, reveal a vulnerable side beneath the tough exterior.

John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) is a man of few words, but there have been many memorable Rambo quotes over the course of the franchise. The Rambo movies had an unexpected evolution, starting with 1982's First Blood, which was a more thoughtful and not overly violent examination of a Vietnam veteran dealing with PTSD and pushing back against the small-town police who harass him. However, from there, the movie exploded into an over-the-top and bombastic action movie franchise that cemented Rambo as one of the best action heroes of all time.

The best Rambo quotes highlight these different aspects of the character, showing the pained and tragic hero as well as the one-man army. Though Rambo likes to let his actions do the talking, he has delivered some unforgettable lines that speak to his inner struggle and his life as a killing machine. There are also a number of quotes from other characters that further highlight what an iconic character John Rambo is, making for one of Stallone's best roles.

30 "You Did Everything To Make This Private War Happen."

Trautman - First Blood (1982)

1982'S First Blood is a very toned-down version of the novel by David Morrell and presents Rambo as a much more likable and understandable protagonist. However, the novel shows that, while the police were wrong to harass Rambo in this way, his violent and brutal reaction was also his fault and he deserves blame as well. The movie hints at this only slightly in a memorable line from Rambo's superior officer, Trautman, who insists Rambo played a role in igniting the fighting, suggesting he might have been looking for an excuse to return to war.

It is part of the reason why First Blood is a movie fans love for the wrong reasons as there is a sense that John Rambo felt out of place back in America and took the opportunity given to him by the mean-spirited police to return to the world of war he was more comfortable in.

29 "Who Are You, Boatman?"

Lewis - Rambo (2008)

After 20 years since Rambo III, the franchise seemed to have ended, only for Stallone to return to the iconic character in 2008's Rambo. The movie initially finds Rambo living in isolation in Thailand only to get swept up in another mission. Serving as transportation for a group of mercenaries, they initially don't think much of this "boatman." However, the moment Rambo has to leap into action, they all begin to look at him differently and see the monster hiding beneath this silent man.

Rambo is always someone who is overlooked or underestimated by those around him.

It is one of the thrills of this series, as Rambo is always someone who is overlooked or underestimated by those around him. The first movie had the police only seeing Rambo as a vagrant, while the 2008 movie has the mercenaries see him as an old man. It makes it all the more exciting when he shows off his brutal and deadly skills.

28 "In The Field We Had A Code of Honor. You Watch My Back, I Watch Yours. Back Here There’s Nothing!"

John Rambo - First Blood (1982)

First Blood is not just a thrilling action movie, but also an interesting commentary on Vietnam veterans. Though Rambo experienced torture and brutality in the war that haunted him for the rest of his life, there is a tragedy in that he also felt more comfortable there than back home. He feels abandoned and as if no one is looking out for him now that he is back.

It is a sad reality that reflects a real-life struggle many veterans experience when being unable to get the they need. Rambo is a tragic figure in this first movie as he is not simply a man looking to return to his violent ways when he is crossed, but also a man who wants some comion. There is a sense that had the police just treated Rambo with some dignity and understood his struggles, none of the chaos that ensued would have happened.

27 "I Didn’t Come To Rescue Rambo From You. I Came Here To Rescue You From Him."

Trautman - First Blood (1982)

Colonel Trautman is a recurring character in the Rambo movies and one of the few people who looks out for Rambo. However, while he respects his former soldier and the skills he has, he also understands how dangerous he is. Trautman is introduced in First Blood as he comes to help the police in pursuit of him. Upon learning his connection to Rambo, Teasle warns Trautman not to interfere. However, Trautman points out the truth that Teasle has failed to realize yet — Rambo is not the one who needs saving.

He feels regret for having turned Rambo into a killing machine.

Trautman makes for an interesting character in these movies as he is sometimes seen as a father figure to the younger soldiers, but there is also a sense that he feels regret for having turned Rambo into a killing machine. Interestingly, in the novel, Trautman is the one to kill Rambo when he realizes he has lost control.

26 "You Picked The Wrong Man To Push."

Trautman - First Blood (1982)

While Trautman wants to help stop Rambo before anyone else gets hurt, he does not see himself as an ally to the police. In fact, he immediately knows Rambo is not the one at fault and discovers Teasle was harassing the veteran, which led to him fighting back. After criticizing Teasle for his lack of judgment, he reiterates what Teasle himself has gradually been learning, that he should have just left the young man alone.

That is an interesting theme in the movie that the entire action could have been avoided had Teasle and his police officers not been so keen on displaying their authority. While Rambo can be a terrifying force of nature, it is also satisfying to see Teasle learn the hard way that Trautman was right about Rambo and that they picked the wrong man.

25 "When You’re Pushed, Killing’s As Easy As Breathing."

John Rambo - Rambo (2008)

2008's Rambo is an exciting and action-packed ride, but the movie also carries a lot of the tragedy of the character. That is one of the ways the Rambo franchise has been so unique, as it is able to deliver the pulse-pounding thrills genre fans expect while also reflecting on how this bloody carnage affects the action hero. After the warrior in him is reawakened, Rambo delivers this line, which is a memorable set-up for the action-packed finale.

He is a born killer, and when he chooses to turn it back on, he becomes a weapon against his enemies.

Rambo acknowledges that, despite how long it has been since he lived a life of violence, it takes nothing to return to those ways. He is a born killer, and when he chooses to turn it back on, he becomes a weapon against his enemies. However, it is also sad to think that side of him was quiet for so long and now he returns to it with ease.

24 "Don’t Waste Your Life, I Did. Go Home."

John Rambo - Rambo (2008)

Though he is one of the most effective killing machines in action movie history, Rambo stands apart from being a completely reluctant hero. He is good at killing, but he also knows what it has cost him as if it were a poison slowly eating away at him. When one of the missionaries comes to him to ask for his help, he warns her against exposing herself to such violence and evil.

He reflects that his life has been wasted dedicating himself to war, further making his return to violence a layered moment. It is another way in which Rambo is a much more complicated action hero than fans are used to seeing. Given the sense of regret he feels with his life, there is a lot of tragedy whenever he goes down that violent path again.

23 “Maybe You’ve Lost Your Faith In People. But You Must Still Be Faithful To Something.”

Sarah - Rambo (2008)

Rambo is found to be a very cynical man when reintroduced in 2008's Rambo, but that does not mean he has lost his humanity altogether. There is always something inside of Rambo that, no matter how dark and violent he becomes, is always looking out for other people. The missionary recognizes this in him, guessing that there is something Rambo still cares about.

It also suggests that his faith remains in his skills as a killer.

In the end, the one thing that still drives Rambo is seeing justice done that he cares about the most, making him willing to help the helpless. However, it also suggests that his faith remains in his skills as a killer. He knows when the missionaries are taken that he is the only one who can save them. It is a darker interpretation of where Rambo's faith lies, but it is something that he turns to time and time again.

22 "F*** The World."

John Rambo - Rambo (2008)

Rambo is not someone who likes to speak unless he has to, which makes for some hilariously blunt moments in the movies. While other action heroes make wisecracks and drop one-liners, Rambo keeps things short and sweet even when telling someone off. There are not too many funny Rambo quotes and this one is perhaps not an intentional bit of comedy, but it is easy to get a laugh from it.

There is a humorous juxtaposition between the optimistic missionaries who have so much faith in the world and Rambo, whose thoughts on the world are summed up in this unsubtle way. It shows just how far down Rambo has slid over the years that he simply doesn't have anything to care about. However, it is still a humorously angsty line from the grizzled hero.

21 "This Is What It Feels Like!"

John Rambo - Rambo: Last Blood (2019)

While Rambo may not be subtle with his words, he is even less so with his actions. Though he can be a bit reluctant to embrace his violent ways again, once he does, he can be brutal and even sadistic to the bad guys who cross his path. Last Blood is the most personal mission for the warrior and his only remaining family, his niece, is killed by a drug lord in Mexico. It is a painful loss for Rambo who has so few people in his life.

He then cuts into the man's chest and literally pulls out his heart.

This builds to the epic moment Rambo gets to face off with the villain and decides to show him what that sort of pain feels like. He then cuts into the man's chest and literally pulls out his heart. It is a wonderfully over-the-top kill that is perfect for Last Blood.