In the early days of his career, Sylvester Stallone made appearances in several iconic films from the 1970s, although he was often difficult to recognize. He was credited with roles such as Hotel Guest in What’s Up, Doc?, Subway Thug #1 in Bananas, and Soldier Sitting at Camp Table in M*A*S*H. Now, after more than five decades, the film that truly established his identity—both on-screen and as an actor—is finally receiving the recognition it deserves with its official release.
The film, titled Rebel, features Sylvester Stallone in the role of Jerry Savage, a member of a group of anti-war activists who come under the scrutiny of the FBI. Initially released in 1973 as No Place to Hide, the movie quickly faded into obscurity, only later finding a niche audience outside of the United States. Director Robert Allen Schnitzer attempted to revive interest in the film after the success of Rocky in 1976 by re-releasing it, but this effort also failed to garner significant attention. He even re-edited it as a comedy titled A Man Called…Rainbo in 1990, coinciding with the release of Rocky V, revealing the extent of his desperation to bring this film into the spotlight.
Now, thirty-five years later, Schnitzer has undertaken the task of giving Rebel a stunning 4K remaster, rebranding it as Rebel: Director’s Cut, and is currently touring it across the nation. The pressing question remains: Will audiences turn out to see this early Sylvester Stallone film? It’s possible that film completists might be intrigued to witness Stallone in a more substantial role before his rise to fame with Rocky. At least it’s a far cry from being a softcore adult film like The Party at Kitty and Stud’s, which was later re-released as The Italian Stallion following the blockbuster success of Rocky.
Reflecting on his experience working with Sylvester Stallone during his feature debut, Schnitzer remarked, “He was completely unique. They said, ‘Do not hire him. You can’t understand the way he speaks!’” Despite these warnings, Schnitzer took a chance on Stallone, who subsequently landed more significant roles in films such as The Lords of Flatbush, Capone, and Death Race 5000. However, it’s worth noting that while some of these films are memorable, it’s challenging to take seriously a movie that struggles with its own title.
As of now, fewer than 400 users have logged their views of Rebel on Letterboxd, indicating a limited yet growing interest in this piece of cinematic history.
What is your favorite film featuring Sylvester Stallone from his pre-Rocky era? Do you lean towards The Lords of Flatbush or Death Race 2000? We would love to hear your thoughts—share your pick in the comments below!
