Alternate versions

To secure a "Not under 18" rating from the FSK, the German theatrical version was cut by ca. 1 minute. To achieve this rating for the DVD, one additional minute was cut. For the German sell-through version (rated "Not under 16"), almost every violent bit was removed. The uncut version was released with a SPIO/JK certificate. 15 years later, the movie was eventually removed from the index list and shortly afterwards the FSK finally granted the uncensored version a "Not under 18" rating.

The 2010 'Extended Edition' adds nine minutes of footage, re-orders and re-edits scenes, and changed the film's title to "John Rambo". It is said to be director/star Sylvester Stallone's director's cut. This new version focuses more on the psychology of the character, adding numerous character beats.

The 100-minute extended cut features the following additions and changes:

• The main title card shows as 'John Rambo' and now appears across the screen.
• At the beginning, Rambo traps the second snake followed by a new scene where the deckhands played with it on the boat.
• While working on the metal for the new propeller, Sara visits him in an another attempt to persuade him to change his mind to take them upriver.
• While upriver, Rambo and Sara's moments are longer, as both get to know one another better.
• The bad guy who laid dying on Rambo's boat only has a bullet shot on the head. In the theatrical cut, there were multiple gunshots all over the body.
• While passing the armor boat on the way back from Burma, Rambo takes out his knife in the hidden compartment.
• After driving the armor boat to the shore, there is an additional scene where he burns it along with his knife.
• During the village massacre by the regime, there were alternate shots of villages in cages and the hazing of the young boys.
• When the pastor seeks Rambo's help, he was actually instructed to pray while Rambo forges his blade. Later, the pastor watches the mercenaries head downriver.
• While escaping the military village, Rambo notices lacerations on Sara's feet and bandages them.