When dismissing Elvis Presley’s films, most people are likely considering his post Blue Hawaii (1962) work, which can be can be considered nothing more than fluff, largely designed to maintain his popularity, and promote his recording career. Elvis’ earlier films are interesting for a variety of different reasons, but Flaming Star (1960) is a notable because Presley sings the theme song over the opening credits, sings one song in the first five minutes, and gets down to the drama. Flaming Star tackles the serious issue of racism, and allows Elvis to turn his best performance on film.

The story of the escalating conflict between the Kiowa Indians and the white settlers, Flaming Star focuses on one family torn apart by the war. The Burton clan has lived in peace with both their white and Indian neighbors for nearly thirty years, but the murder of a local family by the Kiowa has changed everything. Everyone is forced to choose sides, putting the Burton’s in a very difficult position. Sam Burton (John McIntire), wife Neddy (Dolores del Rio) is Kiowa, and his and his second son Pacer (Elvis) a half-breed. His oldest son, Clint (Steve Forrest) by his first marriage is a white man. The townspeople look on the family with suspicion, because the Kiowa never attack the Burton’s because of Neddy and Pacer’s Indian roots.

I comes as no surprise that the new chief for the Kiowa, Buffalo Horn (Rodolfo Acosta) covets family refuses to takes sides, and vow to stick together. The only townie to see beyond the growing hysteria, and continue to associate with the Burton’s is local girl Roslyn Pierce (Barbara Eden). Oddly for an Elvis Presley movie, she is never positioned as Pacer’s love interest.

There comes a time when events, and escalating tensions make it impossible for Pacer to ignore his growing connection with his Indian people causing a huge rift between him and his older brother. While the Burtons are protected from a physical attack by the Kiowa, spiritually, they are caught in the middle. A happy ending is impossible, as all the Burtons end up torn apart by the war they tried so hard not to take sides in.

Anchored by a tight script from Clair Huffaker and Nunnally Johnson, director Don Siegel employs a decidedly even-handed, deliberate pace that makes the one scene of a massacre come as a bit of a surprise, and resonate with viewers. While Elvis isn’t given any terribly dramatic scenes, he is called upon to show an expected level of negative emotion. Also, thanks to a fine make-up job, and the color cameras, he is a passable Indian. What makes Elvis’ performance so good here, is that it seems so natural. And appears as though he was comfortable escaping into the world of Pacer Burton. In so many of his other films, Elvis was simply playing a slightly different version of himself, and I’m not sure he was ever comfortable in his own skin as an adult.

All of the other actors deliver fine performances. Delores del Rio is a real standout as Neddy Burton, a woman who just wants to live her life in peace, but finds herself disowned by her own people, and hated by the whites. Steve Forrest does impressive work as the older brother who unconditionally loves his sibling, and Rudolph Acosta shows the pride of a tribal leader who stands up for what he believe in. John McIntire acquits himself well as the father in a no win situation, and Barbra Eden is lovely as the one townie who attempts to help the Burtons.

A thoughtful drama, Flaming Star is far from the musical fluff most commonly associated with Elvis Presley, which probably accounts for its box office failure. I would urge fans of his who haven’t seen the film to check it out. Elvis really showed a different side of himself, and proves that he might have really had a chance at a real acting career had Colonel Tom Parker given him a chance to develop his skills.

Presented in the film’s original Cinemascope aspect ratio of 2.35:1, Twilight Time’s 1080p transfer presents a fairly impressive picture, with the occasional soft spot, most of which occur during the attack sequence. Apart from that, sharpness is great, colors are bright, and skin tones appear lifelike. Black levels are very good, but a couple of interior scenes appear a bit on the dark side.

The disc offers both DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo and 5.1 surround audio tracks. The 2.0 stereo track seems more suited to the original intentions of the film. The 5.1 track lacks and real bass, and there’s not much in the way of spread to the surround channels. The music is only provided via the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo track.

English SDH subtitles are included.

The following extras are available:

    • Audio Commentary with Filmmaker Nick Redman and Screenwriter Lem Dobbs: Redman and Dobbs are rather entertaining here, as they don’t discuss Flaming Star as much as they do Elvis Presley’s rather interesting film career.
    • Isolated Score Track: Cyril Mockridge’s obsequious score is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo.
    • Original English Theatrical Trailer (SD, 2:36)
    • Original Portuguese Theatrical Trailer (SD, 2:36)
    • Six-Page Booklet: Julie Kirgo offers a thoughtful analysis of Flaming Star. Black and white, tinted, color stills, and poster art are also included.

There are only 3,000 copies of this Blu-ray available. Those interested should go to www.screenarchives.com to see if product is still in stock. Information about the movie can also be found via Facebook at www.facebook.com/twilighttimemovies