Artivels Undescribable Perfection

Stometer Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Jakoba True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

Geraldine The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Ziglet_mir 'Firecreek' was a film I stumbled over late one night after watching another movie trying to fill my quota for the day. I was in the mood for Jimmy Stewart and I found myself watching this.When one thinks of westerns or 'The Western' one would likely not mention 'Firecreek,' mostly because it seems to not be well known, but if it were to be known, it very well could be one of the greats. Full disclaimer up front; the film is flawed in ways during the final gunfight but nothing that ultimately takes away from the message it tries to give and the character study that it punctuates. 'Firecreek' begins slow, trickling really... setting up the super low-key vibe of the town and its people in a way that makes you think the movie deserves to be lesser known when in reality it is setting you up for the ultimate truth in THE best scene of the film, before the final gunfight. Now, let me quickly note here how Jimmy Stewart is one of the amazing few who have had moments of acting that have sent chills down my spine, or left me quiet and dumbfounded by the power or the passion in which they say their lines. One example that comes to mind is his monologue in the alleyway in Harvey (LEGENDARY moment), and the same thing happens in 'Firecreek.' Not another monologue in an alleyway and especially not one about an imaginary rabbit, but one that screams the message of the film and could very well catch you off guard. The scene is between Stewart and the shopkeeper played sublimely by Dean Jagger, who in a moment of reflection brings to light what Stewart's character was ignoring all along.And you can begin to tell that THIS is what this film was building up to; this moment that has Stewart's character drowning in his own too-polite, too-nice sentimentality's that have cost him too much. It is now he realizes that what has happened to 'Firecreek' has gone on long enough, and even if there's a chance of dying, dammit, he's gonna do it anyway all in the name of pride and dignity because he was always proud of his beloved town.And Fonda... playing almost the same character as Stewart but as the leader of an outlaw gang. I didn't notice it at first, but then, like the revelation Stewart's character goes through, I realized that Fonda is subdued as well. He has a change of heart (possibly looking for romance) and wants to change his lifestyle but is tied to the antics of the gang as its leader and allows it (Stewart is tied to the town as its $2 salary SHERAF while his wife is about to give birth to a child). The parallel is interesting and makes the character study even more entertaining.Kinda got a little carried away there, but you get the point. 'Firecreek' is an under- appreciated film that holds way more weight than has been mentioned about it. The cast as a whole is fantastic, and Stewart's riveting passion at the end wouldn't be justified without mentioning the instigators of his town's temporary hell played by blue-eyed devil Fonda, Lockwood, Elam, Best, and Woodward. Inger Stevens does a wonderful job as a spinster who takes care of Fonda briefly and takes part in entertaining him reluctantly with little conversation as he recovers from a wound he received prior to his gang's antics in 'Firecreek.' Stevens' greatest moment also comes at the end, making a powerful and emotional statement albeit as brief as it is. Another blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty in Brooke Bundy is worth mentioning as she steals some moments as wonderful eye-candy.'Firecreek' is an excellent example of Stewart and Fonda doing what they were always good at, especially Stewart who once again shines in moments of ultimate humanity and humility as the guy we all know as not a 'John Wayne' or 'Clint Eastwood', but as the Jimmy Stewart, the aw-shucks anti-hero who did it better then anyone else.

writers_reign This is the one about the milquetoast sheriff who never even looks at a gun until the last reel and although the sheriff is played by Jimmy Stewart we're NOT talking Destry Rides Again which was released some thirty years earlier. The movie is referential in other ways; Stewart's religious beliefs are reminiscent of Gary Cooper's Quaker in Friendly Persuasion - also tested at a time of conflict, in Coop's case the War Between The States - and a second Coop reference occurs in the last reel when Stewart stands alone against the gang just as Coop did in High Noon. Firecreek was released in 1968, the same year Hank Fonda gave us his volte-face heavy in Once Upon A Time In The West and if, as I assume, Firecreek was released earlier in the year we could say that Fonda here used his role as a prototype for Once, giving us what amounts to a heavy-lite though it is clear he would, if necessary, have shot Stewart. Not a bad little effort and worth a look.

ma-cortes This is the story of the farmer/sheriff (James Stewart) who'd worn it -till he'd faced one gun too many...the novice young , a mentally-challenged stable boy (Robert Porter), he had to teach or watch to die . As a peace-loving, part-time sheriff in the small town of Firecreek must take a stand when a gang of nasty outlaws takes over his town . The $2 a month sheriff that's what they gave you for protecting people who ran like rabbits when the going got roguish ! . The villagers ask the unexperienced sheriff to rid the little town of bandits when a vicious gang of freebooters (Jack Elam , Gary Lockwood , James Best and Morgan Woodward) passes through, their leader Larkin (Henry Fonda) , who is suffering from a minor wound healed by a spinster (Inger Stevens) , decides to spend that night .This excellent , meaty Western contains interesting plot , intrigue , thrills , shootouts and results to be quite entertaining . Outstanding Western balances action , suspense and drama . It's a classical recounting about an unexperienced marshal in charge of a village full of cowards and frightening people ; being probably one of the best Western in the fifties and sixties . The highlights of the film are the climatic showdowns , the twisted surprise at livery stable and , of course, the final gundown . The traditional story and exciting screenplay was well written by Calvin Clemens though clichés run through-out , the enjoyable tale is enhanced for interesting moments developed among main characters and especially on the relationship between Henry Fonda and Inger Stevens . Magnificently performed by James Stewart and Henry Fonda , they are awesome experts in the art of conjuring sensational acting , here are reunited in this atypical but thought-provoking western with a lot of reflection , distinguished moments and dramatical attitudes , in addition a multitude of entertaining situations . Top-notch plethora of secondary actors playing vicious, sadistic sociopaths who take advantage of the frightened townspeople such as Gary Lockwood , James Best , Morgan Woodward and veteran Jack Elam as well as villagers perfectly performed by Barbara Luna , Ed Begley , J.C. Flippen , Louise Latham , Dean Jagger , Jacqueline Scott , John Qualen , among others . Wonderful cinematography in Technicolor is superbly caught by cameraman William H. Clothier , John Ford/John Wayne films' usual . Sensitive as well as lively musical score by the classic Alfred Newman .This is another superbly powerful Western being compellingly directed by Vincent McEveety , son of director Bernard McEveety. Vincent was an expert craftsman filmmaking occasionally for cinema such as ¨Herbie, Torero¨ , ¨Amy¨ , ¨The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again¨ , ¨Gus¨, ¨The Strongest Man in the World¨ and usually directed several TV episodes such as ¨Diagnosis murder¨, ¨Colombo¨, ¨Pensacola¨ , ¨Perry Mason¨, ¨T.J. Hooker¨, ¨Airwolf¨ , ¨Dallas¨ , ¨Cimarron¨ , ¨Gunsmoke¨ and ¨Star Trek ¨ in which four of the actors have links to ¨Firecreek¨ as Gary Lockwood, Barbara Luna, Brooke Bundy and Morgan Woodward all starred in Star Trek chapters . Well worth watching and it will appeal to James Stewart and Henry Fonda fans .

wes-connors Wounded outlaw Henry Fonda (as Bob Larkin) and his malicious gang arrive in the small western town of "Firecreek" where Mr. Fonda hopes to recover from what he calls a "cracked rib." They immediately clash with God-fearing farmer James Stewart (as Johnny Cobb), who receives $2 every two months to drop by and serve as a "part-time" sheriff. Fonda enjoys violence, while Mr. Stewart likes to settle things peacefully. At the local hotel, Fonda is attracted to beautiful proprietress Inger Stevens (as Evelyn). Stewart is happy with his repeatedly pregnant young wife Jacqueline Scott (as Henrietta)...Looking luscious in a wet dress, sexy blonde Brooke Bundy (as Leah Sawyer) arouses the handsome younger members of Fonda's gang - hunky Gary Lockwood (as Earl) and horny James Best (as Drew). Things heat up when simpleminded Robert Porter (as Arthur), who resembles James Dean, prevents Mr. Best from raping "Indian squaw" Barbara Luna (as Meli). Eventually, peace-loving Stewart must stand up Fonda and his gang with "High Noon"-like force...Stewart seem a little old for this action, and Fonda would soon be seen a more perfect "villain" role "Once Upon a Time in the West". Still, this is an enjoyable, if not special, western. Mr. Lockwood and Mr. Best revel in their nasty camaraderie, and are very entertaining to watch. The newer players, Ms. Bundy and Mr. Porter make impressions good enough to make you wonder why they didn't become bigger stars. Director Vincent McEveety and regular western supporting players Dean Jagger (as Whittier), Ed Begley (as Broyles), J.C. Flippen (as Pittman), and Morgan Woodward (as Willard) are all good.****** Firecreek (1/24/68) Vincent McEveety ~ James Stewart, Henry Fonda, Gary Lockwood, James Best