Watch Firecreek For Free

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

RELEASED IN 1968 and directed by Vincent McEveety, "Firecreek" stars Jimmy Stewart as a farmer living on the outskirts of a small town of 'losers' where he's the 'honorary sheriff.' When a group of ne'er-do-wells comes to town he's compelled to take action. Henry Fonda plays the leader of the rabble-rousers while Inger Stevens appears as the quiet woman who sparks his interest. Gary Lockwood plays the top troublemaker with Jack Elam & James Best in tow. BarBara Luna is on hand as an irresistible squaw and Robert Porter as the "stable boy," the catalyst.The director was a reliable TV director of shows (e.g. Star Trek) & movies, but "Firecreek" was his first theatrically-released film. While his oeuvre includes a handful of other theatrical films, he mainly stuck with TV. I point this out because "Firecreek" has a bit of a TV Western feel to it, which isn't to say it's not a solid Western, it's just not on the level of the contemporaneous "Bandolero!", also starring Stewart. The build-up is long and low-key, but the dialogues are good for the most part and you get to know the characters and their situation in a remote town of 'losers,' as Dean Jagger's character humbly describes them.Speaking of the town, this is a decidedly town-bound Western, with some scenery shots at the beginning. This isn't necessarily a bad thing as the celebrated "Rio Bravo" (1959) was a town-bound Western, but this limits the movie. In other words, don't expect a wilderness Western with numerous breathtaking scenic shots in the background, e.g. "Jubal" (1956).Stevens plays the notable intelligent lady that trips the trigger of Fonda's character. Unfortunately, she'd be dead less than two years after the release of "Firecreek" from (supposedly) intentional overdose. She was only 35; what a shame.The producers made a good decision to NOT make Fonda's character a one-dimensional villain. Actually, the man's nothing of the kind, but he has to fulfill his part, his duty, in order to maintain the respect of his men. The success of the movie all depends on if Stewart can deliver the goods when the protagonist is finally forced to make a stand, come hell or high water. And he does so superbly.THE FILM RUNS 104 minutes and was shot in North Ranch, Agoura Hills, California, as well as Warner Brothers Burbank Studios with establishing shots in Sedona, Arizona. The screenplay was written by Calvin Clements Sr. ADDITIONAL CAST: Morgan Woodward, Ed Begley, Jay C. Flippen, Jacqueline Scott & Brooke Bundy.GRADE: B/B- (6.5/10)

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 .

The plot is really rather simple, but has lasted as long as the western: Henry Fonda and his band of rugged, uncouth outlaws ride into a "farm town", ran by a "farm sheriff", up to no good. Jimmy Stewart is the sheriff, just a mind-his-own-business, genial, wise and respected member of his little town who doesn't want any funny business or trouble, but the beauty of this western is he'll get it regardless. When we get a good look at Stewart (as Johnny Cobb), the film goes out of its way to portray him as a non-violent man who doesn't seem like the kind of person capable of drawing a weapon opposite gunslingers more than willing to shoot or harm anyone that crossed them. Bob Larken's (Henry Fonda) bunch is a nasty brood, each actor blessed with interesting faces and able to convey a dark streak making them wholly unpleasant. They interrupt a sermon preached by "fire and brimstone" preacher Ed Begley (whose voice carries gravitas and bluster), with disgruntled Gary Lockwood (as the always-looking-to-pick-a-fight Earl) sawing away inside, visibly eager to put a bullet in somebody, leaving the "church" (basically a store used as a place of worship) just gnawing on some way to get even with the preached word aimed in his direction. A complaint: Why is it that in most westerns, the gospel song sang is "Bringing in the Sheaves"?!?! When James Best (Roscoe on Dukes of Hazzard and a few memorable Twilight Zone appearances) tries to rape Meli (secretly Cobb's brother's half breed wife), Cobb's "limp brain" stable boy, Arthur (a sympathetic Robert Porter, who looks to Cobb for guidance and wisdom) shoots him as a means to protect her, spurning the wrath of Earl and his colleagues (including sleazy Jack Elam and scar-faced Morgan Woodward who hardly speaks but produces a menace that talks for him). Because he has remained peace-minded and willing to tolerate Larken's gang of irritating galoots, Cobb is finally pushed over the edge when Arthur is a victim of their rage. The final twenty minutes, after a grueling night where his pregnant wife suffered through a difficult labor not yet producing birth, has Cobb, belly full of distaste and anger towards the outlaws plaguing his town, decides to pack a pistol and face off with Larken. "Firecreek", plot-wise is unremarkable and we have certainly seen better westerns starring Fonda and Stewart. Still these pros are sincere and have conviction (conviction for where they stand, criminally or honorably depending on their ideals and principles) in their parts. Seeing Cobb enter, hesitantly and reluctantly, into the town bar as Larken's gang tears up the saloon, Stewart subtly informs us that his character is in a very precarious, uncomfortable situation. You often here in the dialogue that by morning these cretins will be gone, if the town can just outlast their uncivilized, obnoxious behavior throughout the night. The results of the film, that violence will erupt and the outlaws pay for their sins, is unsurprising and expected. Fonda is close, although a bit of humanity shows itself when on screen with Inger Stevens (as a local woman tending to his bullet wound) as he recovers from injury, to the character he portrayed in "Once Upon a Time in the West", certainly in that he will stand behind his boys, regardless of how they act towards others, and use violence if necessary to be a "leader". I don't think we fault Stewart for taking a stand, although unlike "Firecreek", his Mann westerns weren't always as black and white as this film. Does show the Peckinpah approach to the 60s western in how vile and filthy the outlaws are, as well as, the level of violence presented on screen. Considerably aged, Stewart is even more effective, I think, because his character "gave up opportunities" in order to settle in this farm town in the middle of nowhere, with citizens all "running away" from life. Great part for Dean Jagger as a shop owner who speaks about the travails of unfulfilled life, not speaking favorably of the town he calls home. Stevens, a fine actress, proves here just how much a tragedy it was she would commit suicide just a few years later…it's too bad because, along with "Hang 'Em High", "Firecreek" proves she had potential (her best work was on Twilight Zone, I believe).

Skip it – After 1970, westerns started getting weird. Even though this film was made in 1968, it's got a very 70's feel to it. I think you know what I mean. Fans of classic westerns can recognize when they're watching a movie that doesn't have that classic feel to it. I tried to like this movie because it's the only movie starring Jimmy Stewart and Henry Fonda together. ("How the West Was Won didn't have the two together on screen). The main complaint I have with this film is that it's not much of an action movie. The final gunfight is impressive, but I would compare this to a western like "Three Violent People" because the movie dies well, but doesn't live well. 1.5 out of 5 action rating