Synopsis

Rambo: 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. This series was adapted for television by story editor/head writer Michael Chain and the series even spawned a toy line.

The voice acting was always recorded as an ensemble, with all the cast members for each episode recording their parts together.

Neither Rambo's creator David Morrell nor the actor and screenwriter Sylvester Stallone were involved in the production.

Reviewers have said that Rambo: The Force of Freedom was obviously inspired by the success of G.I.

Joe: A Real American Hero (1983–86), Sergio Pereira of Comic Book Resources noting the similarities between S.A.V.A.G.E. and COBRA, and between Colonel Trautman and General Hawk.

According to a 1987 interview with Doug Thompson of the Toy Manufactures of America, the Coleco company spent $15 million on the show.

While some have alleged that the show used child psychologists who recommended that the cartoon not make any references to Vietnam, POWs, or Rambo's experiences in 1982's First Blood and 1985's Rambo: First Blood Part II, the show's head writer, Michael Chain, denies this and instead states that his previous experience in producing children's programming led him to make sure that Rambo would not "have an adverse effect on the psyche of children".