Flaming Star

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Flaming Star

Released Dec 16, 1960

1h 32m

Western

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Popcornmeter

91%

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11 Reviews

72%

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5,000+ Ratings

In this Western set on the Texas frontier, Pacer Burton (Elvis Presley) is the mixed-race son of a white rancher (John McIntire) and his second wife, Kiowa woman Neddy (Dolores del Río). When some local racists cause Neddy's death by preventing the doctor from coming to her aid, a war between the whites and the tribe erupts. As the war threatens to drive a wedge between Pacer and his white brother, Clint (Steve Forrest), he takes matters into his own hands.

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John Beifuss

Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

A treasure trove of content for Presleyologists who interpret Elvis as a repository and reflector of America's conflicted and evolving attitudes toward youth, class, race and sex.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 18, 2014

Full Review

Bill Chambers

Film Freak Central

The filmmaking may be a little ramshackle, but it's sensitive, and the performances are soulful.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 5, 2010

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Blake French

Filmcritic.com

...proves that Elvis didn't just get lucky with his first performance; the boy could actually act.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 2, 2009

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Famed action director Don Siegel saw an element of raw danger in Elvis and gave him his very best role in this excellent quasi-Western.

Nov 14, 2008

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Sean Axmaker

MSN.com

Less an "Elvis film" than a western starring young Presley in a surprisingly well cast role, this lean frontier drama... offers one of his most impressive performances.

Aug 14, 2007

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Carol Cling

Las Vegas Review-Journal

Elvis' best performance, in a solid Don Siegel Western

Rated: 4/5

Dec 23, 2005

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Billy W

Elvis and the whole cast rise to the occasion. Unlike that deceitful Tom Parker who steered his career towards comedy-musicals that occasionally made no sense, Elvis shone. Like all his dramas including Charro, Wild in the Country, Kid Galahad, King Creole, Elvis was able to show his amazing screen persona and acting abilities. Playing an Indigenous person and pulling it off with respect and cultural sensitivity, most people would be unaware that he was 1/16 Native America

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/26/25

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Veronica

It's sooo boring and drawn out. Terrible script and cheesy. Ma has different accents in each scene. Elvis was pretty good, but didn't have much to work with. He could have been a great actor given the real chance. Best part was watching the horses.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/02/24

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Michele B

one of the most underrated and by far one of my favorite movies elvis did. this one really showed his acting abilities and that he could do a role that didn't just feel like you were watching elvis play elvis.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/01/23

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Steve D

A bit predictable and melodramatic but the kind of thing I wish Elvis had stuck to. Well done.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/02/23

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Audience Member

I just watched this movie the other night,,, What a treat, you forgot it was Elvis and you were watching a man called Pacer. Elvis did a great job, How I wish he would have done more movies like this. The rest of the cast was very good as well.... I thought it was good , if you like the old westerns

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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dylan h

Elvis shows he can actually act with a decent plot. Tarantino loves this movie; I can see how it influenced him. Overall, decent movie but insensitive towards Native Americans.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Don Siegel

Director

Elvis Presley

Pacer Burton

Steve Forrest

Clint Burton

Barbara Eden

Roslyn Pierce

Dolores del Río

Neddy Burton

John McIntire

Sam "Pa" Burton

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Synopsis

In this Western set on the Texas frontier, Pacer Burton (Elvis Presley) is the mixed-race son of a white rancher (John McIntire) and his second wife, Kiowa woman Neddy (Dolores del Río). When some local racists cause Neddy's death by preventing the doctor from coming to her aid, a war between the whites and the tribe erupts. As the war threatens to drive a wedge between Pacer and his white brother, Clint (Steve Forrest), he takes matters into his own hands.

Director: Don Siegel
Producer: David Weisbart
Screenwriter: Clair Huffaker, Nunnally Johnson
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox
Genre: Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 16, 1960, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2011
Runtime: 1h 32m

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