As far as I am concerned, people make the High Noon comparison too assertively. I too appreciate that film very much, but this film gives more nuance to the underlying message. The townspeople of Firecreek do not uniformly stand idly by while outlaw scum run roughshod over them. Aside from the simpleton stable boy, whose nobility transcends primordial self-interest, the townspeople naturally look to their sheriff for law and order while making their own feelings known. In High Noon, people suggest that Gary Cooper's Marshal Kane skip town, while others actually want a violent outlaw to return because the guy's a lot of laughs. Both scenarios are conceivable, but Firecreek has more to say about settling for less than desired and going along to get along.Calvin Clements' first-rate western dialogue cannot go unmentioned. I go so far as to say that it is in a class of its own. Interestingly, Jack Elam is in both films, but is especially memorable in Firecreek. Though I consider James Stewart's performance to be one of his best, I remember reading somewhere that he was disappointed in Firecreek. I realize that some people can't help but wince or grin at the perceived heavy-handedness of Stewart's Sheriff Cobb going berserk in the end. This relates to another distinction between the two films: In High Noon the marshal is the target, so he can't very well just ride off into the sunset with Grace Kelly; whereas in Firecreek the outlaws would rather the sheriff remain a hat-in-hand bystander.Firecreek is for me the more interesting film.

This is the one about the milquetoast sheriff who never even looks at a gun until the last reel and although the sheriff is played by Jimmy Stewart we're NOT talking Destry Rides Again which was released some thirty years earlier. The movie is referential in other ways; Stewart's religious beliefs are reminiscent of Gary Cooper's Quaker in Friendly Persuasion - also tested at a time of conflict, in Coop's case the War Between The States - and a second Coop reference occurs in the last reel when Stewart stands alone against the gang just as Coop did in High Noon. Firecreek was released in 1968, the same year Hank Fonda gave us his volte-face heavy in Once Upon A Time In The West and if, as I assume, Firecreek was released earlier in the year we could say that Fonda here used his role as a prototype for Once, giving us what amounts to a heavy-lite though it is clear he would, if necessary, have shot Stewart. Not a bad little effort and worth a look.

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

Wounded outlaw Henry Fonda (as Bob Larkin) and his malicious gang arrive in the small western town of "Firecreek" where Mr. Fonda hopes to recover from what he calls a "cracked rib." They immediately clash with God-fearing farmer James Stewart (as Johnny Cobb), who receives $2 every two months to drop by and serve as a "part-time" sheriff. Fonda enjoys violence, while Mr. Stewart likes to settle things peacefully. At the local hotel, Fonda is attracted to beautiful proprietress Inger Stevens (as Evelyn). Stewart is happy with his repeatedly pregnant young wife Jacqueline Scott (as Henrietta)...Looking luscious in a wet dress, sexy blonde Brooke Bundy (as Leah Sawyer) arouses the handsome younger members of Fonda's gang - hunky Gary Lockwood (as Earl) and horny James Best (as Drew). Things heat up when simpleminded Robert Porter (as Arthur), who resembles James Dean, prevents Mr. Best from raping "Indian squaw" Barbara Luna (as Meli). Eventually, peace-loving Stewart must stand up Fonda and his gang with "High Noon"-like force...Stewart seem a little old for this action, and Fonda would soon be seen a more perfect "villain" role "Once Upon a Time in the West". Still, this is an enjoyable, if not special, western. Mr. Lockwood and Mr. Best revel in their nasty camaraderie, and are very entertaining to watch. The newer players, Ms. Bundy and Mr. Porter make impressions good enough to make you wonder why they didn't become bigger stars. Director Vincent McEveety and regular western supporting players Dean Jagger (as Whittier), Ed Begley (as Broyles), J.C. Flippen (as Pittman), and Morgan Woodward (as Willard) are all good.****** Firecreek (1/24/68) Vincent McEveety ~ James Stewart, Henry Fonda, Gary Lockwood, James Best