Ring of Fire (1961)

Overrated and overhyped

One of my all time favorites.

Crappy film

Beautiful, moving film.

The idea of "Ring of Fire" is very good...but unfortunately the cops in this film too often seem like complete idiots...particularly, Steve (David Janssen). It's frustrating, as it's not a horrible film and with some decent editing of the script, it could have been exceptional.The film begins in a small town in Oregon and two cops catch three young thrill-seeking idiots. The trio have been committing robberies just for kicks but they are surprisingly easy to capture. But here's the part that makes no sense at all...they don't frisk the lady AND they don't handcuff any of them! Not all all surprisingly, the trio soon overpower the cops and cuff one to a tree...and take Steve hostage. They then soon set out on a trek across the wilderness--and again and again it looks like they might just shoot the cop. However, it gets REALLY stupid when the cop overpowers one of the punks (Frank Gorshin) and takes his gun. He's able to disarm everyone...and then behaves like he has a tomato for a brain. Repeatedly they try to get the gun away from him. So why doesn't Steve just shoot them? He didn't even need to kill them...just shoot them in the kneecap! They even say "...all you do is make one little slip...and will kill you...dead"! I don't think the police procedure manual would have a problem with shooting at least one of them...but instead they keep trying and trying until they ultimately retake his gun and eventually take Steve prisoner once again!! What a total dummy!! Well, the crooks aren't much smarter, as a careless cigarette butt soon starts a fire and threatens to envelop them and the rescue party.Does it sound like I was frustrated by the writing in this film? You betcha! It's a real shame as often the film seems intelligent and interesting...and the next moment it's bone-headed. Plus they waste the beautiful color scenery...which is lovely. It could easily have scored a 7 or higher had Janssen's character been written better.By the way...the girl in the film is apparently supposed to be under 18...so why does she look 30?!?! Well, I checked and the actress was 29 and this little plot twist, too, is pretty stupid. And, how all this comes out and works itself out is REALLY stupid...especially since a raging forest fire is about to strike! Do you notice that I used the word 'stupid' or words like it many times during the review!Also, if you do watch the film, pay attention to the burning bridge sequence. When the bridge ultimately collapses and the train falls, notice that the bridge collapses at the base...where there is no fire!!!

Two cops take two bad guys (delinquent types) and a girl into custody in the backwoods of Washington state. However, the tables are soon turned, leading to a risky trek across a wooded wilderness and a killer forest fire.Good thing there's a second half, because the first is a yawner. That's surprising considering the first half is two cops and three outlaws holding one another captive as they clamber through a lush forest. Trouble is the trek is treated more like a walk in the woods than anything tension building. Then too, the cast has got Frank Gorshin as chief bad guy, which you would think would generate a ton of sneering tension. But everybody underplays including Gorshin and especially an emotionless David Janssen. I suspect an already over- burdened Andrew Stone (producer-director-writer) found these sequences difficult to direct. But whatever the reason, what should be a real pressure cooker of life and death turns into a Sierra Club hike in the scenic woods. Too bad.The second half, however, amounts to a real barn burner. The woods catch fire causing the near-by town to evacuate as sky high flames close in. The effects are great, including real forest fire footage. Of course, the Stones, husband and wife, specialized in just such realism and it's on great display here. Looks also like the entire town was recruited into the evacuation and escape scenes. Then too, that halting train trip across the burning trestle is a real white-knuckler. Anyway, as long as the screen's filled with fiery effects instead of dialog, the production's a memorable one. All in all, the result amounts to half of a good movie.

I've just seen the movie for the first time, on German television that is. Although they dub foreign movies with sometimes strange results (John Wayne and Indians speaking German...), they make sure not to compromise a film's integrity, so atmosphere, sound quality etc. are always perfectly preserved. And I must say, this film, of 1961, managed to do what only few films have in years - the grand finale with the escaping townsfolk made me hold my breath several times and had me moved to the edge of my chair. The rest of the film is also impressive, it all looked so very lifelike. No overacting, no exaggerated pathos, yet at times even poetic. A great film which makes your heart beat faster. And in spite of its age, amidst all the licked special effects block-busters of these days a refreshing experience.Maurits Reijnen, Amsterdam

An Oregon Police Sgt (an intense David Jansen) is surprised and kidnapped by two thugs and a babe who then go on a journey for freedom through the deep forests of Oregon. There are escape attempts, a death, a turning of the tables, and possible "intimate relations" with the pulchritudinous babe (Joyce Taylor, who is supposed to be "under 18" but looks 26). The movie climaxes with the entire forest and town being burned down and everyone, including hundreds of townsfolk, desperate to escape. An exciting movie, with menace and threat maintained thoroughout. Frank Gorshin is notable as the #1 thug (his pre-impressions days). A good movie.