Just so...so bad

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

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

Amazing worth wacthing. So good. Biased but well made with many good points.

Another thrill ride from Andrew & Virginia Stone that with the aid of veteran cameraman William Clothier provides a triple feast for the eyes in the form of the lush verdant hills of Oregon, foxy beat girl Joyce Taylor and a final conflagration that makes the burning of Atlanta in 'Gone with the Wind' look like a rehearsal. Miss Taylor in her skinny jeans, long-life lipstick, permanent wave and a white blouse that remains spotless almost until the very end is supposed to be underage (she was actually in her late twenties) but exudes a mischievous knowingness worthy of Louise Brooks; and she and David Janssen bring a humour as dry as the local brush to their scenes together as she decides she digs him more than the two punks with whom she's previously been wasting her time. As I write this fire fighters are ironically still struggling to keep under control some of the worst wildfires in living memory now ravaging Saddleworth Moor in North West England, so keep watching what you do with those discarded cigarette ends.

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!!!

I like a good disaster movie (Towering Inferno and Twister come to mind). What is odd about this movie is it is one that I avoided for many years because I did not think I would like it. It used to run a lot on TV but it was not shown in years. I finally decided to record it, and wow. I do not know what was hotter the forest fire or Joyce Taylor. All jokes aside and spoilers ahead. This movie was shot in location in Oregon and it shows. The most harrowing part is where one dropped cigarette by bad guy Frank Gorshin creates a Forrest fire that burns down an entire town and the hero Sergeant Steve Walsh ( David Janssen) With underage girl Bobbie Adams( Taylor) take a train into town so that they can rescue everyone. The entire train trip going through a well 'Ring Of Fire' is incredible. The relationship between Steve and Bobbie is to say the least complicated. She is one of three criminals who kidnap Steve, and she saves him twice from getting killed, then after throwing herself at him and accuses him of statutory rape( which he does not do). But when he gets on the train to save everyone she goes along and despite numerous times telling her to get off she remains right to the end. Because she was that devoted to him, she does win his love. At the end he lets her know she is special and "If they ( the town) can start over, so can you." He finally kisses her at the end, and you know he will marry her. This movie should be a must see for the fire and Taylor.

I've seen this at least 10 times not because it's an awesome movie but because it was filmed in the small town I grew up in. Every July it played in the small movie theater in Vernonia for at least one weekend, sometimes for the whole month. I have a lot of fun memories around it including the hoopla around the filming. Vernonia is not just a small town it's rural with only ~1500 people so it was a huge deal. As a 3rd grader it was a big deal when one of the folks from the production company showed up at my grandmother's to ask if they could film on her property. David Jansen flew in and out of Vernonia on a helicopter, landing on Bridge Street (the main street)so that he could sign autographs. I haven't seen the complete movie since 1972 and would like to see it again but can't find it.