Firecreek
Western
Theatrical Release (US)
~ JAMES STEWART -- HENRY FONDA MEET IN THE HEAT OF FIRECREEK ~
Overview:
A peace-loving, part-time sheriff in the small town of Firecreek must take a stand when a gang of vicious outlaws takes over his town.
Director:
Vincent McEveety
Status:
Released
Language:
English
Buget:
$0.00
Revenue:
Key words:
Cast
James Stewart
~ as ~
Johnny Cobb
Henry Fonda
Bob Larkin
Inger Stevens
Evelyn Pittman
Gary Lockwood
Earl
Dean Jagger
Whittier
Ed Begley
Preacher Broyles
Jay C. Flippen
Mr. Pittman
Jack Elam
Norman
James Best
Drew
BarBara Luna
Meli
John Chard
Written 7 year(s) ago
You Might Like
The Flight of the Phoenix
Cat Ballou
The Panic in Needle Park
The Rare Breed
The Party and the Guests
The Scout
Mean Girls 2
Dances with Wolves
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Darkman II: The Return of Durant
It's a lesson I learned a long time ago. A man worth shootin' is a man worth killin'.
Firecreek is directed by Vincent McEveety and written by Calvin Clements Sr. It stars James Stewart and Henry Fonda. Music is by Alfred Newman and cinematography by William H. Clothier.
A Technicolor/Panavision production, plot finds Stewart as Johnny Cobb, the part time Sheriff of Firecreek who has to make a stand when a gang fronted by Fonda's Bob Larkin invade the town and create mayhem.
This be a traditional Western fan's picture, a sort of one for the fans made by stars who served the genre so greatly previously. The story is a complete throwback to the decade previously, even having shades of the magnificent High Noon in the process. It looks fabulous with the great Clothier on photography duty, and with a strong supporting cast list backing up our ever dependable leads it's a production of worth.
It's appreciatively noted that the makers didn't pander to feel good homespun Western formula in story telling, for although it treads a well worn path in plotting, it's a grim and moody piece. Sexual harassment, vigilantism, bullying and revenge fuel the fires in Firecreek, with Stewart and Fonda playing conflicted peace keeper and calm villainy respectively. All this while Newman lays a moody evocative score across the play.
Is there enough within to justify the running time? No not really, we have to deal with pacing issues and the action junkies among us are asked to sit tight till film's closing quarter for a fix. Shaving fifteen minute off of this wouldn't have been hard to do since there are filler sequences that don't improve the narrative. Yet this is still a treasure, where if one is prepared for a deliberately paced adult Western, that's loaded with smart dialogue and compelling performances, then genre entertainment awaits. 7.5/10
