Stallone says 'Rambo' banned in Myanmar

February 2, 2008 1:04 PM

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Sylvester Stallone says his latest ''Rambo'' movie and its tagline are inspiring real-life opponents of Myanmar's ruling military junta - and prompting a government backlash.

''Either live for something, die for nothing - it's your choice,'' Stallone said on Saturday in a phone call from Paris, where he is promoting the new film. ''Students have now used this film as a rallying point and are using the quote, thinking maybe the American military will intervene and save them.''

While the film has yet to be formally released in Asia, Stallone said he's heard reports that Myanmar police have prohibited DVD sellers from stocking pirated copies. Stallone also said two of the film's actors, who are from the country formerly known as Burma, told him that family members have been arrested.

It was not immediately possible to confirm the claims.

Myanmar's military crushed pro-democracy protests led by students and Buddhist priests last year.

The fourth ''Rambo'' has the disaffected Vietnam vet trying to find missionaries captured by Myanmar soldiers, who are shown razing villages and killing civilians.

Stallone filmed the movie on a river bordering Myanmar and neighboring Thailand.

He issued a challenge to the junta about its portrayal.

''If they think this movie is a fantasy,'' he said, ''I welcome the opportunity to let me come over there and walk around the country without armed guards following me every inch of the way.''

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