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John Rambo and The Punisher: The Call of the Dark Side
John Rambo and Frank Castle aka 'The Punisher'. Two tough soldiers whose lives changed when they signed up for the United States Army and fought in the Vietnam War. The war may have eventually ended for those who were not a part of it, but it never could end for Rambo and Frank Castle. Here is how both the fictional antiheroes of America have dealt with the darkness they saw in the world and within themselves.
Culture Treasury staff
8/24/20263 min read
Most people who love Hollywood action or war films, especially those who care about the stories of military characters, have a good idea about John Rambo and Frank Castle aka 'The Punisher'. While John Rambo first appeared in author David Morrell's novel 'First Blood' and was later played by actor Sylvester Stallone in the Rambo movies, Frank Castle belongs to Marvel Comics, where he wages his one-man war against crime as The Punisher. Like many Marvel Comics characters, Frank also made it to movies and TV shows and was given life by accomplished actors like Thomas Jane, Ray Stevenson and more recently, John Bernthal. If we look at them, both Rambo and The Punisher are tough, serious men who have been tested and moulded by a life of war. Both fought in the Vietnam War. Both came out scarred by their experiences, similarities which make for a worthy comparison. Here we take a look at how John Rambo and The Punisher have dealt with the call of the dark side. Spoilers for the Rambo movies and The Punisher comic book run by writer Garth Ennis follow, so read on with caution.
John Rambo and The Punisher: Who has gone over to the dark side?
When Sylvester Stallone's Rambo makes it back to the USA in one piece after the Vietnam War, he is suffering from PTSD. He is very tough, the ultimate survivor, a Green Beret, and from the outside, he seems to be holding well, but the indifference, hate and apathy shown to him by his fellow Americans are taking a toll on the mental strength of the recently returned Vietnam War vet. He faces cruel treatment from the police force and is forced to flee and hide in the mountains, but he still tries not to mortally hurt any policemen. Colonel Trautman comes to help rescue him and eventually follows his private war to reunite with him in the town. He wants Rambo to lay down the guns and surrender to the police and says, "It's over, Johnny. It's over" which triggers Rambo's emotional outburst. He is angry at how his countrymen have treated him. He misses his friends he made in the Army. He recounts the horrifying incident of how one of his friends was blown to bits before his very eyes, while they were in town. He says he doesn't talk to anybody. Crying, he holds on to Colonel Trautman. In the end, he surrenders. But the thing here is, John Rambo gives himself a chance for a new life. He wants to fight the good fight but he also understands how wars usually work. He is certainly not happy with the role of bureaucracy in wars but never kills anyone from his own side. His moral code stays secure. As an elite soldier, he will embark on his assigned mission and complete it. He may take some unsanctioned routes to save lives and may even take out his anger at his superior officers for the injustice they have done to him, but he does not go over to the dark side.
The Punisher is a vastly different story. He is a US Marine who wants to be judge, jury and executioner, but the rules of the army bind him to lawful behaviour. During the Vietnam War, he sees the danger his team is in due to the lousy approach of his seniors. When they ignore his appeals to urgently call for reinforcements and aid for the men under him, Frank Castle wants to punish them.
Then, there is another incident of one of the officers under him abducting a Vietnamese girl to rape her. Frank intervenes, preventing the officer from doing what he was about to do. Later, he kills the officer after he finds him alone. Frank has a moral code but his version is all about him deciding who needs to be punished. He gets to decide, he would make the call. Hence, with a character like The Punisher, one could love his actions in certain scenarios and hate him in others. The ill-equipped and under manned US Army base gets attacked that very night and in the end, we see Frank's brush with the dark side. But his full transition to the dark side wouldn't happen until after he comes back to his family and watches them get murdered right before his eyes. The loss of his family makes him lose his faith in humanity and with each subsequent kill, he slowly goes over to the dark side.