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Rambo: The Force of Freedom

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Rambo: The Force of Freedom
GenreAnimated series, Action, Adventure
Created byDavid Morrell
Written byJack Bornoff
Michael Chain
David Morrell
Directed byJohn Kimball
Charles A. Nichols
Presented byRuby-Spears Enterprises
Carolco Entertainment
Voices ofNeil Ross
Michael Ansara
James Avery
Michael Bell
Peter Cullen
Ed Gilbert
Dale Ishimoto
Robert Ito
Mona Marshall
Alan Oppenheimer
Russi Taylor
Lennie Weinrib
Frank Welker
Theme music composerShuki Levy
Haim Saban
Country of origin United States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes65 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerShuki Levy
Joe Ruby
Haim Saban
Ken Spears
ProducerWalt Kubiak
Running time30 minutes (including commercials)
Original release
NetworkFirst-run syndication
ReleaseSeptember 15, 1986 –
December 26, 1986

Rambo and the Force of Freedom is an animated series based on the character of John Rambo, from David Morrell's book First Blood, and the subsequent films First Blood and Rambo: First Blood Part II. The cartoon ran for 65 episodes, and was produced by Ruby-Spears Enterprises. The series debuted on April 14, 1986 as a five part mini series, and was renewed in September as a daily cartoon. However, the series only lasted one season, and was cancelled in December of the same year. The series also spawned a line of toys.

Plot

In the cartoon, Rambo was part of a G.I. Joe-like team called "The Force of Freedom", which went on missions around the world battling against an evil terrorist organization called S.A.V.A.G.E., led by one General Warhawk. Other members of Rambo's group included Edward "Turbo" Hayes, an African American mechanical expert, and Katherine Anne "Kat" Taylor, an Asian woman, who was a master of disguises. Fictional countries and backstories would frequently be featured, some of them parodies of historical events or literary successes. Although the cartoon was filled with much fighting and gun fire with accurately illustrated guns, there was never any sensational violence, blood or gore, and rarely did anyone ever die. Rambo (who was never called by his first name, even by Trautman) used violence as a last resort and relied on quick thinking and fast moves to outwit his opponents — a character trait not consistent with the later films (Rambo avoids deliberately killing anyone in the first movie).

Controversy

Rambo is the first R-Rated film property to be given a treatment of a childrens cartoon show.

The cartoon generated a mild controversy at the production studio, with writers wondering how they could present a child-friendly main character who was created as a troubled Vietnam war veteran suffering from PTSD.

The show's child psychology advisors believed that the target audience, young children and preteens, would not grasp that aspect of David Morrell's character. They recommended that the cartoon not make any references to Vietnam, POWs, or Rambo's experiences in First Blood and Rambo: First Blood Part II. [citation needed]

As a result, Rambo and the Forces of Freedom was derided by fans of the movies and David Morrell's original novel.

Episode list

  • 1. First Strike
  • 2. The Angel of Destruction
  • 3. Battlefield Bronx
  • 4. Raise the Yamato
  • 5. The Taking of Tierra Libre
  • 6. Subterranean Holdup
  • 7. Trouble in Tibet
  • 8. S.A.V.A.G.E. Island
  • 9. General Warhawk's Curse
  • 10. Deadly Keep
  • 11. Beneath the Streets
  • 12. Cult of the Cobra
  • 13. Raid on Las Vegas
  • 14. The Lost City of Acra
  • 15. Guns Over Suez
  • 16. Exercise in Terror
  • 17. The Doomsday Machine
  • 18. Disaster in Delgado
  • 19. Fire in the Sky
  • 20. Enter the Black Dragon
  • 21. Reign of the Boy King
  • 22. Rambo and the White Rhino
  • 23. Pirate Peril
  • 24. Mephisto's Magic
  • 25. The Halley Microbe
  • 26. Death Merchant
  • 27. Return of the Count
  • 28. Night of the Voodoo Moon
  • 29. Lagoon of Death
  • 30. Snow Kill
  • 31. Terror Beneath the Sea
  • 32. Swamp Monster
  • 33. Freedom Dance
  • 34. Texas Inferno
  • 35. The Iron Mask
  • 36. Children for Peace
  • 37. S.A.V.A.G.E. Rustlers
  • 38. Mind Control
  • 39. Vote of Terror
  • 40. Target, Supertanker
  • 41. Enter the White Dragon
  • 42. Skyjacked Gold
  • 43. Attack on El Dorado
  • 44. The Ninja Dog
  • 45. When S.A.V.A.G.E. Stole Santa
  • 46. Blockbuster
  • 47. Supertrooper
  • 48. Warhawk's Fortress
  • 49. The Konichi
  • 50. Robot Raid
  • 51. Alphas, Arms, and Ambush (1)
  • 52. Alphas, Arms, and Ambush (2)
  • 53. Crash
  • 54. Mirage
  • 55. Blind Luck
  • 56. Turbo's Dilemma
  • 57. Masquerade
  • 58. Just Say No
  • 59. Monster Island
  • 60. Quarterback Sneak
  • 61. Sepulcher of Power
  • 62. The Twin Within
  • 63. S.A.V.A.G.E. Space
  • 64. Change of Face
  • 65. Horror of the Highlands


Cast

DVD release

Lions Gate Entertainment (which also owns the DVD rights to the Rambo films) has released the entire series on DVD in Region 1 in 6 volume sets.

DVD Name Ep # Release Date Additional Information
Volume 1: A World of Trouble 11 June 14 2005
Volume 2: Enter The Dragon 11 June 14 2005
Volume 3: S.A.V.A.G.E. Island 10 September 13 2005
Volume 4: Up In Arms 11 September 13 2005
Volume 5: Snow Road 11 December 13 2005
Volume 6: Face of Freedom 11 December 13 2005
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