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I've seen this film once as a child. Back in the 80s it was called "the soviet answer to Rambo" - Now, I know that this film is propaganda and all (just like Rambo is), but what I wonder is, does this film directly refer to anything Rambo?
If it does, it would be "First Blood Part 2" since that is the Rambo sequel filmed prior to this film and "First Blood" did not "feature" soviets...

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My understanding is that Sylvester Stallone thought the concept of this film was great, and even considered at one point to try to have some of the Soviet heroes in this film show up in a future Rambo vs. Soviets film. That would have been great to see.

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It has absolutely nothing to do with Rambo, it doesn't refer to anything Rambo, and it's nothing like Rambo. The only character remotely Rambo-like is Hessalt, the American villain, in that he's traumatized by the aberrations he had to perform in Vietnam following orders of his superiors. The movie has been misleadingly marketed as being about a heroic Soviet Rambo against American villains, while it's actually about a Soviet commando trying to stop a mad traumatized American military man ("Rambo"?) from launching a missile. Except it has next to no action. And it doesn't even start until after the first 40 minutes.

And regarding the message, there's no difference between this or any similar lame-ass American B-movie, except for nationality reversal. Here the Soviets are the good guys and the Americans are the bad guys, but there's no difference between their behavior, motivations, or perceived ideals, and those in heroes and villains of American movies. It's the same thing with different names. It would have been much better, or at least much more fun, to see the heroes appeal to Socialist ideals and behave in consequence, or the villains being deeply rooted in a "mom and apple pie", flag-waving, holier-than-thou attitude. But, alas, it was not to be.

Account inactive till original titles are back as default. Or Hell freezes over. What happens 1st.

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