‘RAMBO’ GOING GREAT GUNS WITH BEIRUT MILITIAMEN

Rambo, an all-American killer extolled by President Reagan, has also captivated the gunmen of West Beirut.

Despite its pro-American message, the movie “Rambo First Blood Part II” has cast its spell on Muslim militiamen like the ones who guarded U.S. hostages during the Beirut airport hijacking.

Beirut militiamen have been flocking to the Estral cinema, where a billboard of Rambo, festooned with weapons, towers above Hamra Street, scene of recent gun battles between Muslim factions.

“Mostly it is fighters and gunmen who come to see the film,” said Wafiq, the Estral’s projectionist.

He said Shia Muslim fighters filled the theater recently during off-duty hours from their battles with Palestinians besieged in three Beirut refugee camps.

Rambo, played by Sylvester Stallone, is a Vietnam veteran who returns to Southeast Asia to rescue imprisoned U.S. servicemen.

Muslim filmgoers said they identified with Rambo’s courage, his fighting prowess and his anger at being let down by his government.

“A person who sacrifices himself for his country like that deserves much,” said Hassan, a 17-year-old Shia who described himself as a mechanic and a fighter.

“I enjoyed the film,” said Mohammed, 22, a student. “I can identify with anyone who has a just cause. . . . Does Reagan want to send Rambo to Beirut? I am not scared.”

Film critic Mohammed Sweid of the leftist daily newspaper As-Safir said Beirut audiences responded overwhelmingly to Rambo’s personality and tended to overlook his Cold War politics.

“What fascinates people here,” Sweid added, “is that Rambo believes only in his gun, only in himself, that everything in his world is done by brute force.”