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    At the movies

    The man who saved Rambo: Ted Kotcheff reveals secrets of the classic Stallonemovie

    Joe Leydon
    Oct 20, 2012 | 5:31 pm
    • Sylvester Stallone, left, and Ted Kotcheff during the making of First Blood
      Courtesy photo
    • A scene from Wake in Fright, which is playing at the Alamo Drafthouse
      Wake in Fright/Facebook
    • Ted Kotecheff
      Courtesy photo

    Ted Kotcheff ensured himself at least a footnote in pop-culture history as the director of First Blood, the 1982 action-adventure that unleashed John Rambo on an unsuspecting world.

    The Canadian-born filmmaker has several other impressive credits on his lengthy resume, including The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kratvitz (1974), with Richard Dreyfuss and Houston native Randy Quaid; North Dallas Forty (1979), which featured Nick Nolte as a quarterback for the fictitious North Dallas Bulls (and confirmed some people’s worst suspicions about the real-life Dallas Cowboys); and Weekend at Bernie’s (1989), a raucous dark comedy that, for many of its fans, stands as a textbook definition of “guilty pleasure.”

     

      "And then a voice rang out: 'If the director of this film is in this moviehouse, we should grab him and string him up from the nearest lamppost.' ”  

    More recently, Kotcheff has found gainful employment for the better part of 14 seasons as an executive producer of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

    But when pressed to name the project for which he’s proudest, he usually mentions a title unfamiliar to most movie buffs and TV viewers: Wake in Fright, a harrowingly intense 1971 drama about a seemingly civilized schoolteacher (Gary Bond) who gets in touch with his baser instincts while interacting with the Down Under equivalent of good-ol’-boys in a remote Australian mining town.

    Although it’s long been held in high esteem by serious cineastes and many of Kotcheff’s fellow filmmakers (including Martin Scorsese), Wake in Fright — fleetingly released decades ago in the United States under the title Outback – was unavailable for viewing anywhere for decades. But now there’s a digitally restored 35mm print in circulation, and it’s currently playing at the Alamo Drafthouse Mason Park.

    Kotcheff, still hale and hearty at age 81, was eager to talk about Wake in Fright at the recent Fantastic Fest in Austin. But he seemed just as happy to also answer questions about another film that, years after its initial theatrical release, continues to attract attention.

     CultureMap: John Rambo actually dies at the end of the novel that inspired First Blood. And I understand that’s also what happened in early drafts of the script. Have you ever wondered what a different sort of pop-culture impact the character would have had if you’d offed him like that – and not allowed him to survive for sequels?

     Ted Kotcheff: What happened was, originally, the movie was conceived as the story of this Vietnam veteran who’d been kicked around from pillar to post. He didn’t feel there was any room for him in American society anymore – he was a piece of machinery that was broken. But then something happens. When he returns to that town where he’d been told to leave, he’s on a suicide mission. This was it — he had to die. Because he didn’t want any more of America.

     CM: And I take it that’s how the character came across in scripts that went out to people like Al Pacino, who was offered the project before Sylvester Stallone came on board.

     TK: When I cast Sylvester, we worked on the script together. And thing about Sylvester is – he has a very good populist sense. While we were shooting the film, we had a pretty good idea what it was all about. But we rewrote the ending various ways – something like 16 times – until we came up with the idea that the colonel, the character Richard Crenna plays, comes in there to put him out of his misery, to shoot him. And when he can’t do it, Rambo commits hari-kari. That’s the “alternative ending” you can see on some of the DVDs.

     CM: It’s really quite shocking in its abruptness. Stallone just pulls the gun while it’s still in Crenna’s hand – and pow!

     TK: And after we shot that, Sylvester comes over to me and says, “God, we put this character through so much. He jumps off cliffs, he gets shot and has to sew himself up, dogs are sicced on him – and now we’re gonna kill him? The audience is really gonna dislike this.”

    And then he said, “Also, looking at it from a crass commercial point of view, I’m sure that whoever distributes this film” – because we didn’t have a distributor yet, we made it independently – “they’re not gonna want him to die at the end.” And I said, “You got a point, Sly. I have an idea – I know how to do this.”

     CM: And that’s when you shot the ending where he survives.

     TK: And the funny thing is, the producer wasn’t happy. He asked, “What are you doing, Kotcheff? What are you shooting? We already agreed, this is a suicide mission. We can’t have him surviving.”

    And I said, “Just leave it to me, it’ll only take two hours, we can shoot this other ending.” And he was like, “We’re already over-budget. We can’t afford two hours of shooting.” But I finally convinced him to allow me to do it.

     CM: And then?

     TK: We had the first test screening in a suburb of Las Vegas. And I have to tell you, I never had another audience respond like that. They were yelling: “Great! Get him! Get him!” They were so involved with the action, it was just amazing. And then, he commits hari-kari. Well, you could have heard a pin drop in the cinema. And then a voice rang out: “If the director of this film is in this moviehouse, we should grab him and string him up from the nearest lamppost.” So I said to my wife, “Let’s get out of here before they string me up.”

     CM: So it was a no-brainer to make the change?

     TK: All the response cards we got back had things written on them like, “This is the best action film I’ve ever seen, but the ending…” And all you saw were exclamation marks. Every card had the same reaction. So I just turned to the producers, and said, “Boys, I just happen to have this other ending.” That’s how it happened.

     CM: You had to wait a bit longer for Wake in Fright to get the release it deserved. Do you feel a bit like a father who hasn’t seen his son for many years, ever since the guy went off to war, and now he’s back – and reasonably intact?

     TK: That’s a very good metaphor. It certainly has been one of the most miraculous odysseys I’ve ever had with a film. I mean, I made that film 40 years ago. Forty years ago. And now it’s been resuscitated and being re-released. The film continually surprises me. It keeps coming back to life.

     CM: Even the folks who have been its most ardent admirers haven’t been able to actually see it again for decades. What do you think there is about Wake in Fright that made it so memorable for so many people?

     TK: I think part of it is, the movie has a kind of exotic quality because of the setting. It’s a raw, naked setting. But also, we all have a deep desire for self-knowledge. And I think we all have some inkling that there’s a shadow side to our make-up. And we’d like to get in touch with it. Sometimes, I think, we unconsciously put ourselves in situations where we can encounter ourselves.

    This is a movie, really, about a sort of existential situation. The guy in Wake in Fright, he starts out as so arrogant about other human beings. He’s a guy who comes to realize that nobody is superior to anybody else. And that we’re all in the same existential boat. That we’re all going to go through the pain of living. And then end up in a hole.

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    weekend event planner

    Here are the 14 best things to do in Houston this weekend

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Jul 9, 2025 | 6:30 pm
    Kesha
    Photo courtesy of Kesha
    Kesha

    People will be getting hella proud of the city this weekend. All over H-Town, folks will be celebrating 713 Day with everything from food and drink specials to full-fledged parties (stay tuned: our picks are coming soon).

    But, of course, there are other things popping off in Houston this weekend. The Dude Perfect gang will be in town to do some sports-related trickery. Many local artists will show off their work at several group exhibits. GreenStreet will throw a game day block party. And Kesha will be performing live – and that’s on period!

    So, shall we dance?

    Thursday, July 10

    Dude Perfect: Hero World Tour
    Dude Perfect will present an exciting blend of sports, comedy, and incredible stunts on their Hero World Tour. The group, featuring members Tyler Toney, Cody Jones, Garrett Hilbert and twins Coby and Cory Cotton, entertains with trick shots, challenges, and audience participation. Fans get to enjoy behind-the-scenes stories and exclusive content that give a fun peek into the group’s creative journey. 7 pm.

    Kesha in concert
    Pop singer Kesha is known for a lot of things: suing producer Dr. Luke for sexual assault, battery, and emotional abuse; getting hug-rejected by Jerry Seinfeld; appearing on the cover of Black-music magazine Vibe as “hip-hop’s guilty pleasure.” She’ll be coming to The Woodlands as part of The T**s Out Tour in support of her new album, . (yes, Period is the name!). She'll be joined by special guest Scissor Sisters and opening act Slayyyter. 7 pm.

    Lone Star Lyric presents Séance on a Wet Afternoon
    Séance on a Wet Afternoon is a psychological thriller in which Myra, a mentally unstable medium, convinces her husband to kidnap a child so she can help the police solve the crime and achieve renown for her abilities. Myra’s plan to achieve fame in the psychic community is perfect until… Lone Star Lyric presents the three-night regional premiere of the opera, followed by a reception with composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz. 7:30 pm.

    Friday, July 11

    David Shelton Gallery presents “Emerging From Where?” opening reception
    When we last spoke to artist Robert Leroy Hodge, he said he’d be taking a break from showing off his own artwork and curating shows featuring the artwork of others. He’s already assembled this exhibit, featuring 11 dynamic artists who push the boundaries of form, identity, and narrative. Artists include Saj Baldwin, Crystal Coulter, Xavier Gilmore, Morgan Newton, Jake Otto, and Anthony Rundblade. Through Saturday, August 16. 6 pm.

    Houston Center for Contemporary Craft presents "In Residence: 18th Edition" opening reception
    Houston Center for Contemporary Craft’s annual exhibition celebrating the Center’s Artist Residency Program features works in clay, copper, and found objects by HCCC’s 2024-2025 resident artists, including Prerata Bradley, Stephanie Bursese, Gbenga Komolafe, Gabo Martinez, Preetika Rajgariah, Jamie Sterling Pitt, Adam Whitney. Visitors can enjoy refreshments as they explore the exhibition, and visit with current resident artists Atisha Fordyce, Nela Garzón, Macon Reed, and Dongyi Wu. 6 pm.

    The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Shall We Dance?
    Shohei Sugiyama (Koji Yakusho) has a high-paying job, an exquisite home, and a caring wife and daughter he loves dearly. However, he feels something is missing in his life. One day while commuting on the train he spots a beautiful woman staring wistfully out a window and eventually decides to find her. His search leads him headfirst into the world of competitive ballroom dancing. This 1996 crowd-pleaser from Japan is presented in a new 4K restoration of the original film, available uncut for the first time in North America. 7 pm (5 pm Sunday).

    Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston and Laura Moreno present Crabs in a Bucket
    This Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Winner for Best Writing will have its Houston premiere this weekend. Inspired by Mexico-born, Houston-bred playwright Bernardo Cubría’s experiences in the Latinx theater community, this satire focuses on the impact of “crab mentality.” Bitter crabs Amargo and Pootz spend their days talking about the crabs that got out and the losers who haven’t. When a new crab arrives filled with optimism and hope for change, can it help them achieve their dream of getting the shuck out? Through Saturday, July 19. 8 pm (2 pm Sunday).

    Saturday, July 12

    Cactus Music presents Rick Mitchell with Dr. Robert Morgan and the HSPVA Jazz Combo
    Former Houston Chronicle music critic Rick Mitchell will sign copies and read from his book Jazz in the New Millennium: Live and Well, Revised Edition. The book includes 84 profiles of the leading 21st-century jazz musicians, including several from Houston. Mitchell will be joined by Dr. Robert Morgan, retired director of the HSPVA jazz program, and the HSPVA student jazz combo (under the direction of James Westfall). They will discuss the role Houston-bred musicians have played in the creative renaissance of jazz in the current century. 1 pm.

    GreenStreet Game Day Block Party
    GreenStreet will be throwing down with a Game Day Block Party, in honor of the Silver Boot Series between the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers. Come and enjoy a block party that’s all about team spirit, Texas pride, and full-throttle fun. Expect live grooves from a band and a DJ, a mechanical bull, a bedazzler station, food, drinks, and something called “good trouble.” You’ll also get free parking and free shuttles to the game with your RSVP. 2 pm.

    Archway Gallery presents 17th Annual Juried Exhibition opening reception
    Archway Gallery will present the opening of their 17th annual showcase of Houston's artistic voices. Prizes are awarded at the discretion of the juror and include cash awards for first, second, and third place winners. The first-place winner also receives guest artist privileges for one month at Archway Gallery. The exhibition is juried by Project Row Houses founder Rick Lowe and benefits Brave Little Company. Through Thursday, July 31. 5 pm.

    Alley Theatre presents Agatha Christie's The Mirror Crack'd
    Miss Marple, Agatha Christie's iconic sleuth, takes center stage in The Mirror Crack'd, a gripping, glamorous mystery based on Christie’s 1962 novel, making its U.S. premiere. When the filming of a star-studded movie in a quaint village leads to a chilling murder, everyone becomes a suspect. Miss Marple untangles a web of jealousy, ambition, and hidden truths. Can you solve who is behind it all? 8 pm. Through Sunday, August 17. (2 and 7:30 pm Sunday).

    Sunday, July 13

    Improv Houston presents Pete Holmes
    Close the weekend out on an hilarious note by checking out Pete Holmes, during his final night of his three-night stint at Improv Houston. Perhaps the only aspiring youth pastor-turned-comedian-turned-talk-show-host-turned sitcom star in existence, Holmes was the creator and star of HBO's Judd Apatow-produced Crashing and TBS' Conan O'Brien-produced The Pete Holmes Show. Along with having comedy specials available on HBO and Netflix, he also hosts the long-running You Made It Weird podcast. 7:30 pm. (7:30 and 9:45 pm Friday; 7 and 9:30 pm Saturday).

    Mei Semones in concert with Lionmilk
    Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Mei Semones will be performing at Asia Society Texas this weekend, in support of her recently released debut album, Animaru (the Japanese pronunciation of the word “animal”). With sophisticated declarations of non-romantic love — love of life, love of family, love of music and her guitar — Animaru exemplifies Mei’s enchantingly wide range as a songwriter and musician, including some of the most challenging and most straightforward songs she has ever written. 7:30 pm.

    Smart Financial Centre presents Disney '80s-'90s Celebration in Concert
    Disney '80s-'90s Celebration in Concert features the best Disney and Pixar hits from two iconic decades. Broadway-star vocalists flashback through a defining generation of music, with show-stopping performances, rock-concert lighting and larger-than-life animation. Guests can go from "Zero to Hero" until they're seeing it "I 2 I" with fan-favorite moments from Hercules, A Goofy Movie, Toy Story, The Little Mermaid, Newsies, Aladdin, Tarzan, The Lion King, Mulan, Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, The Disney Afternoon, and more. 7:30 pm.

    Kesha
      
    Photo courtesy of Kesha

    Kesha performs in The Woodlands on Thursday.

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