Flaming Star (1960)

"Flaming Star" has been one of my favorite Elvis songs ever since it came out. But it took over 55 years (honest!) before I saw the movie. And I was very impressed by his acting. The few Elvis movies I have seen over the years on TV were of the musical romance genre, which were his box office draws. Well let me tell you, after recently watching "King Creole" for the first time, and now "Flaming Star", I am convinced that Elvis could have been a really decent serious actor if he had been given the chance. He probably wouldn't have been as good as Sinatra, who also went from singer to actor, but he would have been close. His acting in "Flaming Star" surpassed his fine performance in "King Creole". Maybe his two years in the army helped mature him above that of a bobby sox heart throb. In any event, "Flaming Star" is Elvis' finest movie as a straight actor, and well worth watching.

"Sam Burton's second wife Neddy is Indian, their son Pacer a half-breed. As struggle starts between the whites and the Kiowas, the Burton family is split between loyalties. Neddy and Sam are killed; Pacer sides with the Indians, his half-brother Clint with the whites." It's a nice change to see an Elvis movie without almost any singing for once. In this movie, the focus is not on beautiful women or the soundtrack, but the focus is on Elvis' character, Pacer, who is torn between staying with the whites, or siding with the Indians. The acting is also wonderful and believable. Bottom line is, you don't have to be an Elvis fan to see this great movie.

At least for its content, and people i am an Elvis fan, its been said that if this particular movie had been done differently that not only would Elvis have been seen as a serious actor but his movie career would have gone in another direction, yes I blame Tom Parker for miss managing Elvis, but I also blame Elvis, he was a big enough of a star he could have put his foot down and said no to some of these films he was in, and believe me guys Flaming Star definitely had the potential to be not just a classic western, but could have won Elvis an Oscar but so could have King Creole, that was also an awesome Elvis movie, I firmly believe an Oscar would have built Elvis" confidence and enthusiasm, sign slapstck2000

For a movie that was originally planned for Brando, Elvis sure does a good job. According to the trivia, it was planned for Sinatra too. I'm assuming Sinatra would've played Clint, while Brando played Pacer.While some might find the movie to be too depressing, I say, it calls for it. A movie like this, with a story like this, can't have a happy ending. So if you're expecting the usual Presley picture with singing and all, look somewhere else. If you want a movie with a great script and many memorable lines and scenes, see Flaming Star. If you are a fan of Elvis, see this movie for sure. Elvis shows what a natural actor he is in this movie. He also proves that he could star in a serious movie with a serious role.If you are looking for a movie with action, look no further. Flaming Star has plenty of action. If you just want to see a good Western, see Flaming Star. Once you start watching Flaming Star you won't be able to stop. The movie had me watching up until the powerful ending. Everyone did their job well when they made this movie. Steve Forrest was great as Clint, Pacer's brother. Dolores del Rio was great as Neddy, Pacer's mother. John McIntire was great as Sam Burton, Pacer's father. Even the other supporting actors were great. Everyone was great. The actor that portrayed Buffalo Horn, Rudolph Acosta, was very memorable. Elvis was of course, great as Pacer. When you start watching the movie, in the beginning, it seems like the movie isn't really about Pacer. But later on in the movie when he has to make a choice of whether he will fight with the white man, his father's people, or the Kiowas, his mother's people, the movie gets very interesting. Elvis is put in many situations in the movie when he has to fight for his family and for his life. Pacer becomes the film's hero once the fighting starts. The whole movie is very powerful and unforgettable, so don't miss this one. You are in for a pleasant surprise. Elvis Presley fans will be pleased. Even people that aren't really fans of Elvis will be pleased. See this great movie and you won't be disappointed.