Watch Flaming Star

Flaming Star is a classic Western drama film from the year 1960, directed by Don Siegel and starring Elvis Presley, Barbara Eden, and Steve Forrest. The film is set in Texas in the late 1870s and focuses on the trials and tribulations of the Parker family, who live on the fringes of society and must navigate the complex racial dynamics of the time.

At the heart of the story is Elvis Presley's character, Pacer Burton, a half-white, half-Native American young man who is caught between two worlds. Pacer is fiercely loyal to his family, particularly his father Sam (played by John McIntire) and his younger brother Clint (played by Roddy McDowall), but he struggles to find his place in a society that doesn't fully accept him.

When a group of Kiowa Indians raids the Parker family's ranch, killing many of their livestock and soldiers, tensions rise between the white settlers and the Native Americans. Pacer finds himself torn between his loyalty to his Kiowa heritage and his family's safety. His conflicted feelings are not helped when his mother, Neddy (played by Dolores del Rio), is captured and raped by the Kiowa attackers, leaving her traumatized and unable to speak.

As the conflict between the Native Americans and the settlers intensifies, the Parkers find themselves caught in the middle. Pacer tries to negotiate a peace between the two sides, but his efforts are met with suspicion and hostility by both. Meanwhile, tension within the Parker family itself is also mounting, as Clint becomes increasingly resentful of Pacer's loyalties to the Kiowa tribe.

The film's tension is amplified when Pacer's girlfriend, Roslyn (played by Barbara Eden), is kidnapped by the Kiowa as part of their ongoing conflict with the settlers. As Pacer sets out to rescue her, he finds himself even more deeply embroiled in the escalating violence and danger that surrounds him.

With its emphasis on family loyalty, racial tensions, and the harsh realities of life in the Old West, Flaming Star is a powerful and emotionally charged film that explores some of the most pressing issues of the day. Elvis Presley delivers a nuanced and powerful performance as Pacer, perfectly capturing the character's inner turmoil and struggles with his personal identity and his place in the world.

The film's supporting cast, including Barbara Eden and Steve Forrest, also deliver standout performances that showcase their own complex characters and relationships to the story's central conflict. And director Don Siegel's expert direction creates a vivid and immersive world that draws viewers in and keeps them engaged until the very end.

Overall, Flaming Star is a classic Western film that explores important themes with muscularity and heart. Its emotional impact and expert storytelling make it a must-see for fans of classic cinema and Western movies alike, and its staying power as a film that still resonates with viewers today is a testament to its enduring relevance and universal appeal.

Flaming Star is a 1960 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.