Stylish but barely mediocre overall

Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

The few times this movie emerges from the tube, the listings rate it with 1 or 2 stars, but when I saw it in 1961 (in NC, aged 9 or 10) I remembered liking the movie and being confused only by not hearing Johnny Cash sing the theme song. David Janssen, the lead, earned his fame as an impressively intense, underspoken, and charismatic TV actor. The overall look of Ring of Fire resembles TV of the time when it filmed outside the studios. Except for the concluding spectacle of the fire, low production values prevail. Yet within said limits the direction is adept, well-paced, building anxiety and suspense while at the same time creating some reasonably complex characterizations and relations. The intimate scale of most of the scenes along with amateur actors and extras plus real outdoor sets and grainy footage combine for a compelling reality effect. Not a great movie, but redeeming evidence that serious professionals can make a rewarding film from unpromising parts.

I saw this movie several years ago and loved it immensely. The thought of the whole earth being ripped apart by earthquakes and volcanoes all happening at the same time really is frightening.I have only seen this movie once and would love to see it again. I keep looking for it on television but so far have not found it. I suppose it could be among the classics that need to be restored or perhaps it has not been released to be viewed on television. I understand that is the case with some movies, the celebrities families do not permit the movies to be viewed on television. If this is the case it is a terrible loss to the viewers such as myself. I was certain I had seen a preview of a remake of the movie one day on television but have not found anymore about it. I would really like to see the movie if it has been made.

This is a an excellent movie! . .With a great guitar sound track by Dwayne Eddy . .The movie maybe dated . .But the story holds up . .It's worth seeing . .David Janssen is great as the police officer . .Frank Gorshen plays an excellent juvenile delinquent . .The fire scene towards the end isn't too great . .But the acting makes up for it! . .With all the crap being released on DVD . .why can't the distributors release older movies like this one!?

While the film was set in Oregon, the burning bridge was filmed in Grays Harbor, Wash.I have been to the site of the bridge and have been down to the bottom of the canyon where the bridge collapsed. The engine is still upside down in the river and the passenger cars are cut in two and laying on the side of the river canyon floor.At low water the wheels are all that are able to be seen of the steam engine.I had to use ropes to get down to the bottom.The area has grown up now and one would never know what lies at the bottom of the canyon unless they had seen the movie.