Customer Reviews

Flaming Star (Widescreen)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For the year of filming, this movie is well done and enjoyable.. I think the best movie that Elvis made..

Barbara Eden is Great in the movie playing Steve Forrest's character's girlfriend.Elvis sings the theme song and in the square dance scene he sings a song though he doesn't sing any other songs after that.The movie is a western drama and a good movie.Dolores Del Rio is in the movie also.Directed by one of the best directors Don Seigel who directed Clint Eastwood.The DVD has the original movie commercial.

For the star to end all stars, Elvis, this movie is greatness among a movie career that's, well, not so great. Finally on DVD, with beautiful picture quality, I adore this movie. There is no cheese here.
This is not chock full of songs, this is not a musical, and the few musical numbers here are well-done and in context. You don't get a cheesy 1960's sounding song in this 19th century western, the songs actually sound like they belong. Again I must stress, there are only a few songs and they don't take anything away from, rather they add TO the film. That man could sing, but surprise surprise, he could also act.
He is a halfbreed. Part white, part Native American. Constantly he is torn between loyalties, but moreso from this deep desire to remain fair to all in his life. The scenes of tenderness are of the utmost affection, and the scenes of violence express the real anguish of such a life. I'm not exaggerating when I say that sometimes when I watch this movie I feel as if I'm spying on a 19th century scene, it's that convincing, friends.
There is such a magical quality about this movie. It's so different from anything Elvis had done before or since that it almost seems like he would have done the film for free...he loves what he's doing and puts his soul into it.
Note that Col. Parker scoffed at the idea of "his boy" Elvis doing a "political" film like this. The Colonel was not one who liked to stir the pot too much when he felt the mixture was just right. This is one of few occasions where Elvis went ahead and did what he thought was the right project. If anyone is curious, check into the numerous films that were offered to Elvis and refused by the Colonel. Least of which was the now legendary 1968 'Comeback' Special in which Elvis both re-invents and re-establishes his throne as the King of Rock and Roll. The Colonel wanted the 1968 special to be a cheesy xmas show with Elvis in a tuxedo singing to snowmen and Santa (which would have probably been the colonel in a red suit). What a disaster and a loss that would have been.
Anyway - Elvis shines like the bright star he is in Flaming Star. Absolutely terrific, wonderful movie that I can't say enough good things about. I have not one complaint except that there weren't more cast from this dye.

This is definitely the best film Elvis Presley ever starred in; he shed his celebrity persona and delivered a great, dramatic performance in a superb action story with teriffic characterizations. No doubt about it, in "Flaming Star," Preseley is an ACTOR. And a damned good one too. (He only sings two songs, and they are presented right at the beginning so the film can then get down to the heavy business.)

Originally, the material was written to star Marlon Brando, but was re-written to accomodate Elvis. He plays a half Kiowa man named Pacer who finds himself jammed in the middle of growing war between the settlers and the Kiowa. In trying not to take sides, he finds his world swirls down into violence and chaos. It is refreshingly devoid of "can't we all get along" cliches and really digs deep into the near-impossibility of life when you are split in two, like Pacer. Elvis really nails the character down.

Director Siegel is at his usual great level of achievement: tight-lipped, boiling drama between the characters, and blasts of sometimes surprising violence. He doesn't let anybody off easily. This isn't a lightweight oater: Siegel took his craft seriously. Helping out are great performances from the superb cast, especially Delores Del Rio as Pacer's Kiowa mother.

If you're looking for an Elvis musical, with the rock star persona in full blast, go for "Jailhouse Rock," his second best film. If you want a fun and silly Elvis movie, go for the endearingly wacky "Via Las Vegas." If you want to see a plain great film with Elvis Preseley showing his potential as a serious actor -- go for FLAMING STAR. You won't regret it.

This movie offers a chance and shows Elvis is able to deliver a serious role. Heavy drama and making a statment. A good western and good for the family.

"Flaming Star" was a deeply moving picture that shows what Elvis would have really gone if it wasn't for the reoccuring musical comedy roles...but I'M NOT COMPLAINING! I like all of Elvis' movies. This is one that is little too violent, although Elvis probably appreciated a dramatic role. The acting done by Elvis is superb, and so is Barbara Eden's and Dolores Del Rio's. Elvis only sings two songs and that's it. Very violent since it deals with fighting indians and arrows hitting people in the back and blood surging out. That's not for me, but the only reason it's good is the acting and of course, Elvis.

What a first class film. After the worrying opening sequence with Elvis singing " A Cane & A High Starched Collar" with one chaps dancing partner being a chair, we open up to a classic Western. With excellent picture quality, Elvis' performance is totally believable as a man torn between two sides. Only criticism is the huge amount of wasted space on the DVD which could have a least have had a documentary perhaps showing deleted scences, I would have loved to see Elvis singing "Summer Kisses, Winter Tears" or "Britches". Ho-Hum! Perhaps there will be a special collectors edition one day.

Flaming Star is one of Elvis' best screen performances. He plays Pacer Burton, a half breed Kiowa Indian who is torn between fighting for his mother's people, whose land was taken away from them, or his father's people, the whites. It has a very good storyline and is interesting to watch. I just bought this video from Hastings a few days ago and I loved it. It showed Elvis' great acting talent and I believe if he had been given more roles like this one, he could have been able to show these qualities more and might have a great actor. If you are a big Elvis fan like I am, this video is a must have for your collection.

Presley's talent went far beyond his great vocal ability. His films were mostly fluff, but this one is evidence that his ability as an actor was so much more. Unfortunately, the public didn't see that, as a actor, he could have been as good as a Brando or Dean. He obviously had the depth to reach inside himself and bring much more to a role.

I have always had a fondness for "Flaming Star" since I was a kid. It is a film that gave Elvis some meat to chew into and I feel he shows his acting ability very well. Elvis actually had some indian blood in his veins,Blackfoot on his mother's side. I no doubt feel that Elvis looked deep within himslef and his role with dignity and passion to give us a very memorable performance. Elvis' favorite film as well as the critics is 1958's "King Creole" - however Elvis does a fine job in this adventure that has some great actors/actresses that are on this production. Dolores Del Rio and John McIntire are believable are Pacer's (Elvis) parents and Barbara Eden in a early role is The King's love interest. If I were to own only 5 film performances of Elvis' "Flaming Star" would be one. I am so glad that the film has made it to DVD and I know you will enjoy Elvis in the fine Western.