Stometer Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Freaktana A Major Disappointment

InformationRap This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

Tayyab Torres Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

classicsoncall I haven't seen enough Elvis Presley movies to say whether this is one of his better ones as some other reviewers state, but the film being what it is, he does a competent job among a fair contingent of fellow actors in support roles. Interestingly, this is the second film in a row I've seen in which John McIntire figures prominently; he was an evil town boss up against Jimmy Stewart in "The Far Country", while here he's portraying the patriarch of a ranch family, maintaining his integrity as the husband of Kiowa Indian squaw Neddy (Dolores del Rio), who's translated name means 'thin woman who deserted her own people'.As a half-breed, Presley's character is torn between two races, particularly after new Kiowa chief Buffalo Horn (Rodolfo Acosta) renews his tribe's war against whites with raids on local ranchers, including the Burton homestead. Before it's explained, I thought 'Flaming Star' might have been Pacer's Indian name, but we soon learn that it refers to a dream or vision in which a flaming star signals impending doom or death. Two such instances occur in the story, once for Pacer's mother Neddy, and then again for Pacer himself at the finale.Most likely in keeping with the general dark tone of the story, Presley's appearance here doesn't bring with it a host of musical numbers. After offering the title song over the opening credits, there's only one more fairly lively number called "A Cane and a High Starched Collar" performed in front of family and friends before the story turns ominous.Directed by movie veteran Don Siegel, there's probably more graphic violence here than one might expect, particularly given the film's celebrity star in the lead role. A wicked Kiowa hatchet to a settler's forehead caught me by surprise, and Presley himself engaged in a pretty realistic looking tussle with his white brother Clint (Steve Forrest) in the story. I was surprised as well that Presley's character was allowed to die in the picture from mortal wounds suffered in the final battle, a fate generally not considered for entertainers as popular with the ladies as Elvis was.

Wuchak "Flaming Star" is a Western hailed as one of Elvis Presley's best serious-acting gigs. It came out in 1960 and was his 6th film in four years.Elvis stars as Pacer, a half-breed, living in the wilderness with his white father (John McIntire) & older brother (Steve Forrest) and Indian mother (Delores Del Rio). Barbara Eden is also on hand as a britches-wearing girl with eyes for Pacer's brother. Things get tense when a band of Kiowas starts attacking settlers and request Pacer's assistance. Aside from the title song over the credits, Elvis only sings one song near the beginning. Beyond that, this is a serious Western with flashes of tragic violence. It's worthwhile for Elvis fans and a few other worthy factors (great wilderness locations, Barbara Eden, etc.), but it's not really a good film.As a Western, "Flaming Star" has too much of what made Westerns in general laughable before the 60s. There are many exceptions, like "The Last Wagon" from 1956, but -- generally speaking -- the downside of Westerns before the 60s include contrived plot elements, an unrealistic vibe, bad music, white actors playing Natives and dumb Indian dialogue. "Flaming Star" is guilty on at least three of these counts.As far as contrived plot elements go, there are just too many "Yeah, right" moments. For instance the guy who survives the Indian raid and hides out in a hole in the desert for days, half-dead and half-mad, just waiting to be used to move along the story. Or the scene where Pacer and his brother threaten a little girl to attain the services of the town's doctor -- they let the girl go BEFORE taking the doctor. Why would the doctor go with them if the girl was no longer in danger? Why wouldn't the town's people attack them once the girl is freed? Or the two cowboys who seek hospitality at Pacer's ranch, would ANYONE really be that rude and savage to two people kindly offering them help, half-breed or not? Bad scripting like this just takes the viewer right out of the story.The white actors in Indian roles present a huge problem visually. How could anyone assume Pacer is an Indian since he looks (and dresses and sings) exactly like a white dude, not to mention the other Indians. Delores Del Rio looks more Hispanic than Native, why assume she's an Indian? Despite this, the Natives are portrayed fairly realistically. What kills it is the lame dialogue they're stuck with, words & phrasing that would make Tonto proud. I couldn't help mimicking such lingo with my wife after the film: "Me Chiefy Wiefy go to front room to listen to pleasant noise while moon lodge high in sky" (lol). At least "Flaming Star" is entertaining in this respect, it's just not the kind of entertainment the filmmakers intended.If you want to catch a great Western from the same period check out Marlon Brando's "One-Eyed Jacks," released in 1961. It's the seminal 60's Western and far superior to most of the Spaghetti Westerns it influenced. What's really interesting is that Brando was originally supposed to play the role of Pacer in "Flaming Star" and the script was later rewritten for Elvis. Marlon, thankfully, chose to invest his time, money and talents into the making of "One-Eyed Jacks." "Flaming Star" was shot in Utah and Thousand Oaks, California, and runs 92 minutes (but seems longer, in a bad way).BOTTOM LINE: "Flaming Star" is worthwhile for Presley fans and a few other factors. It's got a good, serious vibe and is sometimes violent; it also has great wilderness locations. But it's shackled by most of the things that made Westerns eye-rolling experiences before the 60s and 70s (not that all Westerns in the modern era are good, of course). You could sum it up as a curious Elvis-led period piece.GRADE: C-

Lechuguilla White settlers battling Indians is a standard Hollywood storyline. But what happens when one frontier household contains both Whites and Indians? Which side does the household identify with, and support? That's the question, provocative for its era, in this early 1960's Western from director Don Siegel.The story's characters are mostly stereotyped, especially the Indians who lack individuality. They are the story's antagonistic force, consistent with racial bias of previous decades. Further, that they speak English instead of their native language supports their status as two-dimensional cartoon figures, hardly more than movable set pieces.On the other hand, the film's dialogue at least provides the Indians with a motivational rationale for their hostility. At one point in the film, their chief, Buffalo Horn, tells Pacer, the half-breed: "Whose land is this? Who has lived here since the beginning of time? They (the Whites) come against us, forever cutting deeper and deeper into our land, forever pushing". That's a big improvement in dialogue from earlier Westerns.Filmed unfortunately in Cinema Scope, the visuals have an annoying letterbox projection. But the lonesome "Texas" landscape is beautiful and, when combined with the sound of a howling wind, creates an evocative, melancholy mood. The use of camera filters is obvious in this film. And I could sometimes not tell if a scene was supposed to be day or night.Casting and acting are acceptable. For a professional singer, Elvis gives a fine performance.The "flaming star" title refers to a personal vision at the onset of death, as described in the title song, which is quite beautiful and haunting. But the film's nondescript score is super annoying, especially toward the end, when it overwhelms the plot action.The film has a Hollywood look and feel that screams: studio production. Yet, the story of a family caught in the middle of racial conflict, with attendant thematic implications, and the script's intelligent dialogue deserve respect from viewers. Further, some of the visuals are captivating. And my overall assessment of this film is mildly positive.

boomerchinde Line Elvis Presley up with a good script, great direction, and a plausible plot and you get "Flaming Star". Although the film could've done without his singing, at least it comes across as a natural part of the birthday party sequence and isn't overwhelming and stupid. Don Siegel, of Clint Eastwood fame, was always a good director, and much underrated. He holds this film together well, with Elvis as a half white, half Kiowa young man who must decide where his allegiance lies when the Indians have finally had enough of the whites. Addresses well the issues of prejudice in an era when that was mostly taboo. A couple of chilling moments, and a gritty performance by the always competent John McIntyre as Elvis' father. Barbara Eden is subdued as the love interest, and Delores Del Rio is simply wonderful as his long suffering mother. The skirmishes are well handled, and the ending is not trite, but realistic. Many claim Elvis did better work in his earlier films, but I disagree, this is his best effort, and a solid one at that. Tune in just to watch Elvis handle the two baddies who try to take advantage of his mother -- you NEVER mess with Elvis' mother!