John J. Rambo is a former United States Special Forces soldier who fought in Vietnam and won the Congressional Medal of Honor, but his time in Vietnam still haunts him. A drifter on his way to get some food, Rambo is arrested by Will Teasle, a small town sheriff who is used to getting things his way. When he can';t stand anymore abuse at the hands of Teasle and his deputies, Rambo goes crazy, uses his combat skills killing a deputy and escaping into the surrounding hills, massively armed with every weapon he needs. As the publicity of Rambo';s one man war escalates, Teasle and his posse are confronted by Colonel Trautman, Rambo';s former commander and the only one who may be able to stop the terrible fate awaiting everyone involved.