Firecreek

Starring: James Stewart, Henry Fonda, Inger Stevens, Ed Begley, Jack Elam, Barbara Luna
Directed by: Vincent McEveety
Rating: PG
Genre: Western
Box Office: $
1968

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: When a group of bandits led by a tired outlaw (Henry Fonda) descend upon the small town of Firecreek, only a local farmer and part-time sheriff (James Stewart) can protect the townspeople from their wrath.

Review:

Tim: Firecreek is a small but enjoyable Western. The movie mostly takes place in the very small town of the titular Firecreek, which is plagued by a group of outlaws refusing to leave and causing increasing amounts of trouble. What I really liked was the lack of a seasoned gunfighter as our protagonist. Instead, we get a simple farmer, called to extraordinary measures to protect his family and his town. The film also includes some interesting commentary about heroism, fear, and the actions (and inactions) that make up and shape a life. For that reason, I found this a compelling and interesting movie.

The film is undoubtedly helped by the presence of both James Stewart and Henry Fonda. To pit both these men against each other, even at this late stage in their careers, was a brilliant movie. I was captivated by this. What I like best of all is the reluctance to cast either of these characters in the typical Western light. Stewart is our protagonist, but he is an inexperienced sheriff, more comfortable with tools in his hand than a gun. He isn't the fearless hero we are used to seeing, and I loved that. I like that he is just an ordinary man who finds himself in way over his head. He makes mistakes, he lets his fear get the best of him- and these flaws make him interesting. I also loved that Fonda is not the typical villain. Yes, he has some major character flaws and is not a person you would want to associate with. However, at various points in the film, I sympathized with him, and dare I say it- actually liked him? He comes across as a weary man trying to control a group of people even more villainous and deadly than himself. I liked that he was not a traditional bad guy.

The movie is really propelled by the actions of these two unconventional men. That makes for dramatic and exciting theatre. As we watch, we know that these two different men are eventually going to come together in a final battle, but nothing happens as we expect it to happen. I liked that this movie kept me guessing.

Now, this is not a flawless movie. Much of the film is too slow, and Stewart is sadly a bit past his prime as an actor. You long for the days when you really believed he was capable of some serious action. Luckily, these flaws are easily looked past because of the film's stronger qualities.

Firecreek is an entertaining Western that also delivers a powerful message. It is not a perfect movie and there are certainly better films in the genre out there, but you have to like Stewart v. Fonda, and the movie certainly delivers on a number of fronts. This is an unlikely Western, but I enjoyed it.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



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