Flaming Star

Director: Don Siegel, Donald Siegel

Overview

In this classic film, Pacer Burton (Elvis Presley) is a man struggling with the implications of his mixed heritage in 19th-century Texas. Born of a white father (John McIntire) and a Kiowa Indian mother (Dolores DelRio), the local conflict between the two groups of people presents a dilemma for Pacer and his brother Clint (Steve Forrest), who are violently torn between their family loyalties.

Product Details

Release Date:	08/13/2002
UPC:	0024543048114
Original Release:	1960
Source:	20th Century Fox
Presentation:	[Full Frame, Wide Screen]
Sound:	[monaural, Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	1:41:00
Sales rank:	18,119

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Elvis Presley	Pacer Burton
Barbara Eden	Roslyn Pierce
Steve Forrest	Clint Burton
John McIntire	Pa Burton
Rodolfo Acosta	Buffalo Horn,Buffalo Horn
Karl Swenson	Dred Pierce
Ford Rainey	Doc Phillips
Richard Jaeckel	Angus Pierce
Anne Benton	Dorothy Howard
L.Q. Jones	Tom Howard
Douglas Dick	Will Howard
Tom Reese	Jute
Marian Goldina	Ph' Sha Knay,Ph'sha Knay
Monte Burkhart	Ben Ford
Ted Jacques	Hornsby
Rodd Redwing	Indian Brave
Perry Lopez	Two Moons
Sharon Bercutt	Bird's Wing
Ray Beltram	Indian
Barbara Beaird	Dottie Phillips
Virginia Christine	Mrs. Phillips
Barbara Steele	Roslyn Pierce
Henry Amargo	Brave
Lon Ballantyne	Indian Warrior #1
Larry Chance	Indian Chief
Tom Fadden	Man #1 at Crossing
Bob Folkerson	Posseman
Dolores Del R?o	Neddy Burton
Tom Allen	Actor
Joe Brooks	Actor
The Jordanaires	Vocal Accompaniment
Guy Way	Actor
Dolores Del Rio	Actor
Cyril J. Mockridge	Composer,Composer
Irving Gertz	Composer

Technical Credits

Clair Huffaker

Nunnally Johnson

Clair Huffaker	Screenwriter
Nunnally Johnson	Screenwriter
David Weisbart	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Flaming Star is a surprisingly ambitious, if ultimately unsatisfying, Western flick. Nunnally Johnson and Clair Huffaker's screenplay attempts to take a serious look at the conflict between white settlers and Native Americans, and it deserves points for not branding either side as entirely right or wrong, all good or all evil. At the same time, it isn't able to rise above certain melodramatic clichés (or mechanical plot turns) in its dissection of this difficult issue, and lacks the breadth and scope that could imbue the issue with a greater context and deeper meaning. Part of this is due to the casting. Elvis Presley's performance is adequate, but what is called for is something that is elemental and commanding; the character must embody the conflict that is the central core of the movie, and Presley can only indicate this quality, not live or express it. Similarly, Steve Forrest is also good, but lacking in size. Not having to carry such a burden, the supporting cast comes across better, especially Dolores Del Rio, whose turn as the mother is affecting and nuanced. Don Siegel's direction only occasionally achieves the poetry for which the film aims, but it's taut and effective.