1983
Colonel Trautman retrieves John Rambo from a psychiatric ward to undertake a covert mission in Vietnam, ostensibly to photograph a prisoner of war camp. Rambo, accompanied by Lieutenant Brewer and guided by Co Phuong Bao, infiltrates the camp and discovers American POWs, including Dave De Fravio, prompting him to rescue them despite orders to only gather intelligence. After a violent confrontation with river pirates and the rescue of De Fravio, the extraction helicopter, under orders from the duplicitous CIA officer Jason Kirkhill, abandons Rambo and the POWs, leading to their capture by North Vietnamese Army forces. Rambo endures torture by Soviet interrogators Lieutenant Commander Podovsk and Lieutenant Palyushin but escapes, then returns to the camp to liberate the remaining POWs, including Brewer and De Fravio.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Vietnam veteran Rambo is retrieved from isolation to lead a covert rescue mission for POWs in Laos.
Open full beat sheetLieutenant Brewer is listed as Special Forces Operative. Lanky, muscular, boyish good looks, wears loud Hawaiian shirts, military background. In the parsed data, Lieutenant Brewer is connected to 19 scenes, 17 dialogue lines, 17 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
19 scenes / 17 dialogue linesJohn Rambo is listed as Protagonist / Special Forces Operative. A hardened, emaciated, and highly skilled Vietnam veteran with long matted hair and a beard. In the parsed data, John Rambo is connected to 17 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
17 scenes / 11 dialogue linesColonel Samuel Trautman is listed as Mentor / Commanding Officer. In his early fifties, commands with sternness but without arrogance. In the parsed data, Colonel Samuel Trautman is connected to 15 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
15 scenes / 11 dialogue linesDave De Fravio is listed as POW. An emaciated, gaunt Air Force Lieutenant held in a bamboo cage. In the parsed data, Dave De Fravio is connected to 11 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 25.
11 scenes / 6 dialogue linesJason Kirkhill is listed as Antagonist / CIA Special Operations Officer. Conservatively dressed, cold, calculating, and focused on political optics. In the parsed data, Jason Kirkhill is connected to 5 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
5 scenes / 3 dialogue linesCo Phuong Bao is listed as Indigenous Contact / Guide. A beautiful, diminutive Vietnamese woman, former university student, highly capable. In the parsed data, Co Phuong Bao is connected to 4 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
4 scenes / 3 dialogue linesLieutenant Commander Podovsk is listed as Antagonist / Soviet Interrogator. Unremarkable features, bank clerk appearance, highly intelligent and cruel. In the parsed data, Lieutenant Commander Podovsk is connected to 3 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 28.
3 scenes / 4 dialogue linesCaptain Trong Kinh is listed as River Pirate. Gap-toothed, wears excessive jewelry, opportunistic and treacherous. In the parsed data, Captain Trong Kinh is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 12.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesLieutenant Palyushin is listed as Antagonist / Soviet Spetznatz. A massive, broad-shouldered combat muscle, thick features. In the parsed data, Lieutenant Palyushin is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 28.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesCaptain Vo Quoc Vinh is listed as Antagonist / Camp Commander. Vietnamese officer, prone to fits of rage. In the parsed data, Captain Vo Quoc Vinh is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 23.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesColonel Trautman arrives at the V.A. Hospital to retrieve Rambo from an isolation cell.
Colonel Samuel TrautmanTrautman and hospital staff walk through the neuropsychiatric wing toward the violent ward.
Colonel Samuel TrautmanThe group enters the violent ward corridor.
Colonel Samuel TrautmanThe group descends into the basement.
Colonel Samuel TrautmanTrautman prepares to open Rambo's cell.
John Rambo, Colonel Samuel TrautmanTrautman confronts Rambo in his cell.
John Rambo, Colonel Samuel TrautmanRambo and Brewer land in the jungle via parachute and regroup.
John Rambo, Lieutenant BrewerBrewer is stuck in mud near a hootch while Rambo retrieves him.
John Rambo, Lieutenant BrewerBrewer sends a status message via transponder while Rambo watches.
John Rambo, Lieutenant BrewerKirkhill and Trautman receive the confirmation of the team's insertion.
Colonel Samuel Trautman, Jason KirkhillRambo and Brewer meet their contact, Co Phuong Bao.
John Rambo, Lieutenant Brewer, Co Phuong BaoThe team boards a sampan with river pirates.
John Rambo, Lieutenant Brewer, Co Phuong Bao, Captain Trong KinhRambo and Brewer scout the prison camp and locate a POW.
John Rambo, Lieutenant Brewer, Dave De FravioThe river pirates betray the team, leading to a violent confrontation.
John Rambo, Lieutenant Brewer, Co Phuong Bao, Dave De Fravio, Captain Trong KinhThe UH-60 helicopter flies low over the forest at night with Trautman and Lifer on board.
Colonel Samuel Trautman, Lieutenant BrewerRambo's group prepares to bury the Transat radio before heading to the landing zone; Co departs.
John Rambo, Lieutenant Brewer, Co Phuong Bao, Dave De FravioTrautman and the crew approach the extraction point while receiving a call from the ground team.
Colonel Samuel TrautmanRambo, Brewer, and De Fravio are pinned down by NVA fire while waiting for extraction.
John Rambo, Lieutenant Brewer, Dave De FravioKirkhill learns of the American POW and orders the extraction aborted.
Jason KirkhillThe helicopter crew abandons the extraction under Kirkhill's orders, despite Trautman's protests.
Colonel Samuel Trautman, Lieutenant BrewerThe team is abandoned by the helicopter and captured by NVA forces.
John Rambo, Lieutenant Brewer, Dave De FravioTrautman confronts Kirkhill about the mission's true purpose.
Colonel Samuel Trautman, Jason KirkhillRambo, Brewer, and De Fravio are brought to the prison camp.
John Rambo, Lieutenant Brewer, Dave De Fravio, Captain Vo Quoc VinhTrautman makes a desperate, unsuccessful call to a superior to get help for Rambo, then decides to go to Ban Bung Kla himself.
Colonel Samuel TrautmanDe Fravio and Brewer communicate through a hole in the floor.
Dave De Fravio, Lieutenant BrewerDe Fravio, Jensen, and Brewer discuss the escape and their captivity.
Dave De Fravio, Lieutenant BrewerRambo observes Viet soldiers searching for him.
John RamboPodovsk and Palyushin interrogate and torture Brewer.
Lieutenant Brewer, Lieutenant Commander Podovsk, Lieutenant PalyushinThe Soviet pilot and Podovsk track Rambo's Huey as they approach the border, preparing to fire rockets.
Lieutenant Commander PodovskRambo engages in a dogfight with the Soviet helicopter, eventually destroying it.
John Rambo, Lieutenant Brewer, Dave De Fravio, Lieutenant Commander Podovsk, Lieutenant PalyushinTrautman confronts Lifer at the staging area.
Colonel Samuel TrautmanThe Huey approaches the Thai border and encounters a black Sikorsky.
John Rambo, Lieutenant Brewer, Dave De FravioKirkhill orders the destruction of the Huey, but Trautman intervenes.
Colonel Samuel Trautman, Jason KirkhillRambo lands the Huey and confronts Kirkhill in the command center.
John Rambo, Colonel Samuel Trautman, Jason Kirkhill, Lieutenant Brewer, Dave De FravioBob, hi. Did you get my telex? Yeah, I know what time it is there... do you know what time it is here? Look, is there anything you can do up the line? You owe me one. I'm calling it in. Yes, this time. I know you're a general and I'm only a colonel. So that's it, huh? Back off. Come home... that's it? Thanks, buddy.
I cannot be responsible for the safety of the prisoners if he is not captured. This government now considers the existence of POWs an embarrassment. An unmarked grave in the jungle may be their solution. I am only an advisor.
When the unidentified helicopter has crossed the river into Thailand, shoot it down with air-to-air rockets. Then proceed to the crash site and fire your remaining rockets into the wreckage. Is this understood, Zen Hammer?
... and there's this guy with a black helmet and cape, right, and he's got this sword... except it's not a sword, it's light...
Your buddy made it out last night. The place went apeshit.
You come here see Buddha... ask for truth? Or just lost?
Get me a "Loach," I'm going back out to Ban Bung Kla.
Yes. But I lose many merits in next life. Very bad.
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