Good movies come and go, but bad movies will always be remembered. `They Died With Their Boots On' is one such movie. Terrible, that's all there is to it. It started off alright, what with the historic references and all, but once that stopped, `They Died With Their Boots On' went south. Was this not supposed to be based on a true story? Not only was the rest of this movie historically inaccurate, but unrealistic at the same time. Originally shot in black and white, `They Died With Their Boots On' is a Historic epic about a young Brigadier General, George Armstrong Custer portrayed by Errol Flynn. Through his trials and tribulations at West Point, Custer manages to come out on top, fighting for the second cavalry during the civil war, and finding a wife in Elizabeth `Libby' Bacon (Olivia De Havilland). Details in the movie are historically accurate for the most part during the beginning of the movie. But after that, history stopped and fantasy began. True, Custer does become a Brig. General for the seventh cavalry and they do go to war with the Indians, but in the movie they portray Crazy Horse (Anthony Quinn) and his men attacking the seventh cavalry first, when in reality it was vice versa. Two major problems with the accuracy of the movie was the meeting between Custer and Crazy Horse and Custer's `last stand'. `They Died With Their Boots On' depicts a scene where Crazy Horse and Custer meet for the first time. During this time they reconcile differences and create a peace treaty of sorts. In reality Custer and Crazy Horse never meet. Nor would Crazy Horse ever make a deal with a white man. As for the `last stand,' although it was a very glamorous way to die, Custer standing up in the middle of all his fallen men desperately fighting off the Indians while Crazy Horse delivers the final blow is very unbelievable.
Considering the age of the film (released in 1942) the technical aspects of it are very pleasing. The music sequences fit the mood and the scenes very nicely. The make-up and costumes looked real, although Custer looked almost too pretty at times. They could have dirtied him up more, especially after his fight scenes. As for the special effects, the explosion in the fireplace is very authentic looking. All in all, if you're looking for a good cowboys and Indians type of movie I would recommend `They Died With Their Boots On' purely for the entertainment value. Although, if you need to do a school assignment on Custer and need information about him, I would definitely not recommend you watch this movie. Custer and his story are so skewed if you presented the information, it would probably result in your teacher laughing in your face.
Considering the age of the film (released in 1942) the technical aspects of it are very pleasing. The music sequences fit the mood and the scenes very nicely. The make-up and costumes looked real, although Custer looked almost too pretty at times. They could have dirtied him up more, especially after his fight scenes. As for the special effects, the explosion in the fireplace is very authentic looking. All in all, if you're looking for a good cowboys and Indians type of movie I would recommend `They Died With Their Boots On' purely for the entertainment value. Although, if you need to do a school assignment on Custer and need information about him, I would definitely not recommend you watch this movie. Custer and his story are so skewed if you presented the information, it would probably result in your teacher laughing in your face.