Lippert Pictures was never, to put it mildly, known for its extravagant productions. Its budgets were minimal, the talent it used--both in front of and behind the camera--was usually second- or third-string, its product was churned out quickly and cheaply for the second- and third-run market. Every so often, though--almost in spite of itself--Lippert managed to turn out a top-notch film. Sam Fuller's "The Steel Helmet" and "The Baron of Arizona" were two, and this is a third. In fact, this looks like it could have been made by Fuller--it has the gritty edge that's typical of his films, and the issues of duty, honor and sacrifice that infused so many of Fuller's movies. Writer/director Charles Marquis Warren was a somewhat inconsistent filmmaker; he made some moody, tense, first-rate little westerns ("Hellgate," "Arrowhead") and some absolute crap ("Charro"). This is one of his best (so good, in fact, that he remade it--badly--in 1958 as "Desert Hell", changing the story from soldiers in the American west to Foreign Legionnaires in the Arabian desert). A small cavalry patrol stumbles upon a huge gathering of Indians about to ambush Custer's 7th Cavalry troopers. The only way to warn Custer's unit about the impending attack is for the patrol to ride directly through the hordes of Indians. There are no false heroics here, either; the officer in charge of the patrol knows that the action he must take will result in almost certain death for everyone in his small unit, but he also knows that if they don't warn Custer, it will result in certain death for Custer's entire command. He has no desire to die or to cause the death of his men--several of whom he doesn't even like--and he's torn between what he knows is his duty and his reluctance to order his men on what will almost certainly be a suicide mission. This is a tough little film, full of short, brutal--surprisingly so, considering the era in which it was made--action scenes where nobody dies prettily. It's a nail-biter and will have you on the edge of your seat. Tightly directed, sharply written, with a great supporting cast of veteran western actors, including Jim Davis, John Ireland, John Pickard, Reed Hadley and Wally Cassell. Do yourself a favor and don't miss this one.
21 Reviews
Superior Under-appreciated Western!
bsmith555218 February 2007
When one looks at lists of all time great westerns, its not likely that you'll see "Little Big Horn" among them. It is nonetheless worthy of greater appreciation. Produced by the small independent Lippert Company and directed by first time director Charles Marquis Warren, it has a riveting storyline and contains some great performances.
Captain Phil Donlin (Lloyd Bridges) returns home from a patrol to find his wife Celie (Marie Windsor) in the arms of fellow officer Lieutenant John Haywood (John Ireland). Donlin accepts his fate (for the moment) and leaves on a three week patrol. On patrol, Donlin learns of the impending ambush of Colonel George Custer and his men at Little Big Horn. Still distraught over his wife's unfaithfulness, he decides to embark on a three day 250 mile journey to warn Custer of the oncoming attack.
Haywood meanwhile, has been ordered to call in all patrols from the field due to the Sioux threat. When he reaches Donlin's patrol, Donlin decides to "take the long way around" in obeying his superior's orders to return to the fort. As a measure of revenge, orders Haywood to accompany him on his suicide mission. Haywood decides to prove that he is a worthy soldier and not let the love triangle interfere with his duties.
One by one the patrol are being killed off by the Sioux as they press on toward their objective. The tension grows between Donlin and Haywood until the two finally come to blows. And then...............
Bridges, in one of his rare starring parts is excellent as the leader of the patrol. Ireland as well, stands out among the cast of familiar western movie faces. Reed Hadley plays S/Sgt. Grierson a former officer who had been a Major in the Civil War, Jim Davis as Cpl. Moylan, Hugh O'Brian as the card playing Pvt. DeWalt, Wally Cassell as Pvt. Zecca who is in and out of trouble, Sheb Wooley as the scout, Quince, Rodd Redwing and King Donovan and John Pickard as other members of the patrol.
Given the historical events of the Little Big Horn, the ending of the story is fairly obvious, but nevertheless, you'll find yourself rooting for the patrol that they will somehow achieve their objective.
Probably the best film to ever come from Lippert.
Captain Phil Donlin (Lloyd Bridges) returns home from a patrol to find his wife Celie (Marie Windsor) in the arms of fellow officer Lieutenant John Haywood (John Ireland). Donlin accepts his fate (for the moment) and leaves on a three week patrol. On patrol, Donlin learns of the impending ambush of Colonel George Custer and his men at Little Big Horn. Still distraught over his wife's unfaithfulness, he decides to embark on a three day 250 mile journey to warn Custer of the oncoming attack.
Haywood meanwhile, has been ordered to call in all patrols from the field due to the Sioux threat. When he reaches Donlin's patrol, Donlin decides to "take the long way around" in obeying his superior's orders to return to the fort. As a measure of revenge, orders Haywood to accompany him on his suicide mission. Haywood decides to prove that he is a worthy soldier and not let the love triangle interfere with his duties.
One by one the patrol are being killed off by the Sioux as they press on toward their objective. The tension grows between Donlin and Haywood until the two finally come to blows. And then...............
Bridges, in one of his rare starring parts is excellent as the leader of the patrol. Ireland as well, stands out among the cast of familiar western movie faces. Reed Hadley plays S/Sgt. Grierson a former officer who had been a Major in the Civil War, Jim Davis as Cpl. Moylan, Hugh O'Brian as the card playing Pvt. DeWalt, Wally Cassell as Pvt. Zecca who is in and out of trouble, Sheb Wooley as the scout, Quince, Rodd Redwing and King Donovan and John Pickard as other members of the patrol.
Given the historical events of the Little Big Horn, the ending of the story is fairly obvious, but nevertheless, you'll find yourself rooting for the patrol that they will somehow achieve their objective.
Probably the best film to ever come from Lippert.
A Little Big Movie Worth Seeing!
FightingWesterner25 December 2009
Cuckolded Cavalry officer Lloyd Bridges forces his wife's lover, fellow Calvaryman John Ireland, to accompany him and his troop on a suicide mission to intercept General Custer on his way to the Little Big Horn and warn him of the impending ambush by the Souix forces amassing against him.
What could have been corny and silly is instead made believable and compelling, thanks in part to some good interplay between Bridges and Ireland, with Bridges hell-bent on performing his duty to the greater good, while Ireland sees the futility of the mission and not being content with needlessly sacrificing men for a lost cause.
Although low-budget, this is well made in all departments. A great cast of actors and a well-written script do a good job of making the characters and situations three-dimensional and realistic.
The large amount of violence and death also helps set this apart from other early-fifties westerns. There's no cheap heroics here either.
What could have been corny and silly is instead made believable and compelling, thanks in part to some good interplay between Bridges and Ireland, with Bridges hell-bent on performing his duty to the greater good, while Ireland sees the futility of the mission and not being content with needlessly sacrificing men for a lost cause.
Although low-budget, this is well made in all departments. A great cast of actors and a well-written script do a good job of making the characters and situations three-dimensional and realistic.
The large amount of violence and death also helps set this apart from other early-fifties westerns. There's no cheap heroics here either.
Great Low-Budget Western
GManfred28 September 2010
Ever watch a movie that was so good you wished it would never end? That's the feeling when watching "Little Big Horn", an unheralded, unheard of (at least by me),old fashioned, Cowboys-and-Indians movie that Hollywood used to turn out by the Conestoga wagon-full. But this one is more suspenseful and well-acted, the characters more developed and the storyline just plain better than most oaters. This is a western with an edge.
Others have outlined the plot in reviews above, but rarely did LLoyd Bridges, John Ireland and Marie Windsor (the quintessential femme fatale in a cameo) get roles they could sink their teeth into as those found in "Little Big Horn". The realistic atmosphere here rivals that found in some of Hollywood's greatest achievements, for example "Treasure of The Sierra Madre" or "Paths of Glory", made on much bigger budgets. If you are a fan of Hollywood movies, when movies were movies, try not to miss this one. It's available on Amazon now and it's a bargain.
Others have outlined the plot in reviews above, but rarely did LLoyd Bridges, John Ireland and Marie Windsor (the quintessential femme fatale in a cameo) get roles they could sink their teeth into as those found in "Little Big Horn". The realistic atmosphere here rivals that found in some of Hollywood's greatest achievements, for example "Treasure of The Sierra Madre" or "Paths of Glory", made on much bigger budgets. If you are a fan of Hollywood movies, when movies were movies, try not to miss this one. It's available on Amazon now and it's a bargain.
A Mission That Could Be Sheer Futility
bkoganbing7 June 2011
This western from B picture studio Lippert Productions is one of the best films to come from that small budget outfit. If you're expecting a telling of the defeat of General Custer by the Sioux and Cheyenne at Little Big Horn that would require a far bigger budget than Lippert ever spent on its films.
What this story is about is a small patrol headed by Captain Lloyd Bridges and Lieutenant John Ireland who hear of the big four figure number Indian war party out to meet Custer and they ride hard to try to warn him. A daunting task under normal circumstances.
But these circumstances are far from normal. Lloyd Bridges is married to Marie Windsor who's been two timing Lloyd with Ireland. And everyone knows about it especially those on the patrol and the men are taking sides as well. Doesn't make for a good command structure to say the least. They've even got a sergeant major along in the person of Reed Hadley who thinks he could do better than both of them. He was an officer in the Civil War, but it was one of those brevet promotions and when the army shrunk after the war, Hadley like thousands of others was reduced in rank if he wanted to stay in the army. If you'll recall that happened to both the Henry Fonda and Ward Bond characters in the John Ford classic Fort Apache.
Some others on the patrol include Wally Cassell, Rod Redwing, Jim Davis, and Hugh O'Brian and these guys would not be at home in John Ford's conception of the cavalry. Still they go on this mission which they know may be sheer futility.
In its slightly less than 90 minute running time Little Big Horn gave us lots of action and some of it not for the Saturday matinée kiddie crowd and some finely etched character studies. Since they don't make B westerns any more we can really say they don't make them like that any more. But Little Big Horn is a great example of how to make a good B western.
What this story is about is a small patrol headed by Captain Lloyd Bridges and Lieutenant John Ireland who hear of the big four figure number Indian war party out to meet Custer and they ride hard to try to warn him. A daunting task under normal circumstances.
But these circumstances are far from normal. Lloyd Bridges is married to Marie Windsor who's been two timing Lloyd with Ireland. And everyone knows about it especially those on the patrol and the men are taking sides as well. Doesn't make for a good command structure to say the least. They've even got a sergeant major along in the person of Reed Hadley who thinks he could do better than both of them. He was an officer in the Civil War, but it was one of those brevet promotions and when the army shrunk after the war, Hadley like thousands of others was reduced in rank if he wanted to stay in the army. If you'll recall that happened to both the Henry Fonda and Ward Bond characters in the John Ford classic Fort Apache.
Some others on the patrol include Wally Cassell, Rod Redwing, Jim Davis, and Hugh O'Brian and these guys would not be at home in John Ford's conception of the cavalry. Still they go on this mission which they know may be sheer futility.
In its slightly less than 90 minute running time Little Big Horn gave us lots of action and some of it not for the Saturday matinée kiddie crowd and some finely etched character studies. Since they don't make B westerns any more we can really say they don't make them like that any more. But Little Big Horn is a great example of how to make a good B western.
Better Than Expected-Worth the Viewing
tenncat20 March 2023
A low-budget western that really tries to be a better film. The writing is a little stilted and the drama suffers from some low-energy performances. Unlike similar (and bigger-budget films), care was taken with uniforms that are similar to real campaign clothing-note the cartridge belts. Troopers carry Springfield carbines;no Winchesters, thank God. A good Saturday afternoon feature that keeps the action coming. It's obvious the director studied Ford's cavalry trilogy and puts it to good use. It definitely is an under-appreciated film that deserves a closer look. It's also fun to pick out the familiar faces.
A Gem of a Saturday Matinée Horse Opera!
MisterChandu8 December 2006
Writing and acting! Acting and writing! Like another great little "Custer" film "Bugles in the Afternoon!" starring Ray Milland (and LBH's Sheb Wooley playing Custer!), the acting and dialog in this Cavalry classic is top notch. Everything just clicks making this film look as good as any classic Western with a much bigger budget.
The soundtrack is interesting. The "On the Little Big Horn! 1876!" sung by a chorus rings out loud and clear in the opening credits and sets the mood for the story. Must have been a thrill to the Saturday matinée kid cowboy crowd. It certainly adds to "larger than life" mood of this film.
The writers, by setting up this film with the well known history of the Custer defeat (or is it the Native American victory) at the Little Big Horn as a backdrop, helps make your imagination do what the well spent but inexpensive budget doesn't! (It is almost like a radio play in that way.) With the descriptions of sighting of thousands of Souix by the patrols in this film, you feel the intensity and importance of the mission. Also the suspense created by knowing there are a lot of Indians out there and the "Heart of Darkness" atmosphere as the troop advances further and further into Indian territory gives the ambushes that happen the right kind of life and death dynamic.
The story line is not that improbable. Gen. Crook, who had met in the Battle of the Rosebud just some of the Souix that would engage Custer a week or so later, did think of continuing with what was left of his command or some troopers to Custer and Terry to inform them of what happened. It didn't happen however. Still, the mission of trying to deliver a message at all costs to Custer gives this film the needed dynamic it requires.
Major or soon to be major actors give performances here that both their earlier and later "high budget" careers only enhance. The leads Lloyd Bridges (High Noon!, Sea Hunt, Hot Shots) and John Ireland (Red River, Spartacus, A Walk in the Sun) and supporting actors like the memorable King Donavan (Invasion of the Body Snatchers), the good spirited Wally Cassell (Sands of Iwo Jima), Jim Davis (Dallas!), newcomer Hugh O'Brien (TV's Wyatt Earp), Mr. beautiful baritone Reed Hadley, known for his narrations of Hollywood films (Guadalcanal Diary) and those Atomic Bomb documentaries by the US government plus all the rest of this ensemble do an outstanding job.
Bridges and Ireland are perfect as the hard nosed commander and the sympathetic Lt. always in conflict with each other. The film moves along without any real slow spots. It has good cinematography.
It has good production values and the good writing that make it seem like a bigger film than it really is. It has that "film noir" mood that never would have worked as well in color either. It is really a western that stimulates your imagination!
Many Kudos for this classic!
The soundtrack is interesting. The "On the Little Big Horn! 1876!" sung by a chorus rings out loud and clear in the opening credits and sets the mood for the story. Must have been a thrill to the Saturday matinée kid cowboy crowd. It certainly adds to "larger than life" mood of this film.
The writers, by setting up this film with the well known history of the Custer defeat (or is it the Native American victory) at the Little Big Horn as a backdrop, helps make your imagination do what the well spent but inexpensive budget doesn't! (It is almost like a radio play in that way.) With the descriptions of sighting of thousands of Souix by the patrols in this film, you feel the intensity and importance of the mission. Also the suspense created by knowing there are a lot of Indians out there and the "Heart of Darkness" atmosphere as the troop advances further and further into Indian territory gives the ambushes that happen the right kind of life and death dynamic.
The story line is not that improbable. Gen. Crook, who had met in the Battle of the Rosebud just some of the Souix that would engage Custer a week or so later, did think of continuing with what was left of his command or some troopers to Custer and Terry to inform them of what happened. It didn't happen however. Still, the mission of trying to deliver a message at all costs to Custer gives this film the needed dynamic it requires.
Major or soon to be major actors give performances here that both their earlier and later "high budget" careers only enhance. The leads Lloyd Bridges (High Noon!, Sea Hunt, Hot Shots) and John Ireland (Red River, Spartacus, A Walk in the Sun) and supporting actors like the memorable King Donavan (Invasion of the Body Snatchers), the good spirited Wally Cassell (Sands of Iwo Jima), Jim Davis (Dallas!), newcomer Hugh O'Brien (TV's Wyatt Earp), Mr. beautiful baritone Reed Hadley, known for his narrations of Hollywood films (Guadalcanal Diary) and those Atomic Bomb documentaries by the US government plus all the rest of this ensemble do an outstanding job.
Bridges and Ireland are perfect as the hard nosed commander and the sympathetic Lt. always in conflict with each other. The film moves along without any real slow spots. It has good cinematography.
It has good production values and the good writing that make it seem like a bigger film than it really is. It has that "film noir" mood that never would have worked as well in color either. It is really a western that stimulates your imagination!
Many Kudos for this classic!
Grim story of small band of cavalry trying to warn Custer
bux8 October 1998
Perhaps the finest film to come from 'quickie' producer Lippert, this grim story of a band of calvary attempting to warn Custer holds up well after almost 50 years. Outstanding performances by a great supporting cast over-shadow what must have been a miniscule budget. Although the film claims to be based on a true incident, the curator of the Custer Battlefield Monument denies such an occurrence. Nonetheless, if you can find this one on video(not likely)or on the late show, it is well worth while.
I'm not at all in agreement with the other reviewers.
planktonrules14 November 2012
I noticed that the reviews for "Little Big Horn" are all in agreement--this is a very good film. Well, after seeing the flick, I certainly am not in agreement and am the odd man out. I think the film is loaded with problems and is, at best, a mediocre western.
The film is about a small band of soldiers who learn about the Indian plan to ambush General Custer at Little Big Horn. So, they set out to cut off these troops and warn them. There is a HUGE problem however--the men NEVER seem to be in any hurry at all...none! They seem to spend most of their time stopping to take breaks or to argue over the Captain's wife (as the Lieutenant has been having an affair with her) or have fist fights. It all comes off as very fake and silly--as does most of the countryside which looks more like California than Montana. In addition, when non-California scenery is used, it's from stock footage and looks it. It also has a few completely ridiculous moments---such as when the Captain (Lloyd Bridges) is shot with three arrows in the chest yet STILL is alive!! Don't mistake this film for art! It's all a bit silly and never convinced me it was anything other than a B-western.
The film is about a small band of soldiers who learn about the Indian plan to ambush General Custer at Little Big Horn. So, they set out to cut off these troops and warn them. There is a HUGE problem however--the men NEVER seem to be in any hurry at all...none! They seem to spend most of their time stopping to take breaks or to argue over the Captain's wife (as the Lieutenant has been having an affair with her) or have fist fights. It all comes off as very fake and silly--as does most of the countryside which looks more like California than Montana. In addition, when non-California scenery is used, it's from stock footage and looks it. It also has a few completely ridiculous moments---such as when the Captain (Lloyd Bridges) is shot with three arrows in the chest yet STILL is alive!! Don't mistake this film for art! It's all a bit silly and never convinced me it was anything other than a B-western.
Meets the test of a classic
drdyer11 March 2004
Saw this when it first came out and have seen it several time over the years. Still stands up and is worth watching.
The performances, story and production are tops and keep you glued to the screen through the entire movie.
The attention to detail of uniforms and other costumes is excellent, along with the horse handling.
It is well photographed and edited, with good lighting, especially the night scenes.
I haven't seen it in about 20 years, wish they would put it on television again.
Hope they at least bring it to my local video store.
The performances, story and production are tops and keep you glued to the screen through the entire movie.
The attention to detail of uniforms and other costumes is excellent, along with the horse handling.
It is well photographed and edited, with good lighting, especially the night scenes.
I haven't seen it in about 20 years, wish they would put it on television again.
Hope they at least bring it to my local video store.
Woman sets brother against brother, possibly leading one or both to their deaths.
mark.waltz8 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
The appearance of "B" movie queen Marie Windsor in the opening scene sets up the feud between two American Army officers (Lloyd Bridges and John Ireland) preparing to go off to warn the unseen General George Armstrong Custer that the battle against the Sioux Indians is a lost cause. She's married to Bridges, but his extended absences have caused her to fall into the arms of Ireland, and when Bridges finds them together, he coldly wishes them well before heading off to possible death. When Ireland shows up leading a troop of messengers, he is forced by Bridges to remain on "just in case" something should happen to him. But is Bridges calculating Ireland's own death with the Sioux tribe having hundreds of scouts out keeping an eye (and even executing) any scout the Americans send out? It certainly seems that way. Individual character elements are added through the tales of various soldiers, including one young man who admits to having a difficult time keeping his food down but insists he isn't afraid of a confrontation with the ruthless Sioux, another one preparing to meet his mail order bride from Canada (which of course ends sadly), the arguments of others (which includes Jim Davis of "Dallas" fame) of Bridges' methods, and finally, how various incidents bring Bridges and Ireland to an understanding if not a peace. This well-made historical western changes the real names of its leading characters (a fact we learn in the film's ending sequence) which makes no sense but provides some insight into why men feel they must go on even if the odds look grim and why others suddenly run away from danger.
The excellent performances of the two leads is aided greatly by the ensemble surrounding them. Windsor only has two scenes, the second one a flashback which is basically a re-tread of the opening scene where Bridges discovered her and Ireland together. Bridges' character is as close to a villain as he probably ever played. Even his character in "High Society" (who betrayed old pal Gary Cooper because of his own inner fears) wasn't as dark as this one is. He is even more brooding here than in some of the film noir/crime dramas he was also doing at the time, and he makes every effort to create a very complex man who may or may not be a David plotting to kill his second in command. He's obviously a character who gets the worst kind of personal bad news at the worst possible time, so in heading into an unknown territory of a dangerous wilderness, he seems to feel that he has nothing to lose, even if his soul is in jeopardy. Ireland's character is slightly more noble, and certainly more courageous, because he is aware of what his nemesis may or may not be plotting. One disturbing scene has one of the scouts, injured by a Sioux attack, left to die, and as the troop heads out, a shot of Indians approaching the dying man is shown. A gunshot rings out when the camera cuts back to the troop and they stop only long enough to acknowledge the obvious conclusion. Some of the battles are pretty graphic. Arrows hit in the most obvious painful of places, and one of the characters gets it several times. While they never make it to Custer's Last Stand, this troop is certainly brave in heading that way. In the world of the early 1950's where the future looked grim, the face of courage on screen gave male audiences heart that they could face whatever obstacle America faced with the same grit and determination that got the U.S. out of two world wars with victories both times. On the other hand, you can't help but feel that with natives being bombarded with the white man going west, their own world was changing and they would need to fight to preserve what had long been theirs. So it's a mixed fight overall where truly nobody ended up the winner.
The excellent performances of the two leads is aided greatly by the ensemble surrounding them. Windsor only has two scenes, the second one a flashback which is basically a re-tread of the opening scene where Bridges discovered her and Ireland together. Bridges' character is as close to a villain as he probably ever played. Even his character in "High Society" (who betrayed old pal Gary Cooper because of his own inner fears) wasn't as dark as this one is. He is even more brooding here than in some of the film noir/crime dramas he was also doing at the time, and he makes every effort to create a very complex man who may or may not be a David plotting to kill his second in command. He's obviously a character who gets the worst kind of personal bad news at the worst possible time, so in heading into an unknown territory of a dangerous wilderness, he seems to feel that he has nothing to lose, even if his soul is in jeopardy. Ireland's character is slightly more noble, and certainly more courageous, because he is aware of what his nemesis may or may not be plotting. One disturbing scene has one of the scouts, injured by a Sioux attack, left to die, and as the troop heads out, a shot of Indians approaching the dying man is shown. A gunshot rings out when the camera cuts back to the troop and they stop only long enough to acknowledge the obvious conclusion. Some of the battles are pretty graphic. Arrows hit in the most obvious painful of places, and one of the characters gets it several times. While they never make it to Custer's Last Stand, this troop is certainly brave in heading that way. In the world of the early 1950's where the future looked grim, the face of courage on screen gave male audiences heart that they could face whatever obstacle America faced with the same grit and determination that got the U.S. out of two world wars with victories both times. On the other hand, you can't help but feel that with natives being bombarded with the white man going west, their own world was changing and they would need to fight to preserve what had long been theirs. So it's a mixed fight overall where truly nobody ended up the winner.
fantastic , suspenseful, heroic
spanishmick20 January 2008
I haven't seen this film in over 40 years but I still remember it as if I saw it yesterday. I only wish I had a copy of it so I could enjoy viewing it over and over again. The stars , all gave great believable performances. The two leading men,Llyod Bridges and John Ireland both give strong portrayals and force you to wish both men would be saved from their fates. All lesser characters similarly make you concerned for their safety and well being. I especially think of Hugh O'Brien Pre Wyatt Earp T.V. star , who played the gambler who became a hero. This film has always been one of my favorites and I recommend it to anyone who is a film buff of any magnitude ,who wants to see how films should be made
Outstanding Film
pjf12058 January 2004
Viewed "Little Big Horn" tonight for the first time in over 40 years. Growing up in New York in the late 1950's and early sixties the movie stations to watch were Channel 9 (WOR) an Channel 11 (WPIX). Seems like after baseball or basketball practice or on weekends there was always a movie to watch on one of these stations.I remember quite well those which we always talked about the next day and would watch over and over. "Little Big Horn" was one that we watched over and over. Others were Yankee Doodle Dandy", "The Steel Helmet", and "The Great John L". Never understood then why we enjoyed these movies but we did. Watching "Little Big Horn" tonight told me why. A great story line and outstanding acting, pure and simple.Each character is developed and the story line never fails to surprise although the final outcome is known by every student of history. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie as much as I did 40 years ago except that I now have an understanding of why this particular movie has stood the test of time. Highly Recommended!
More than just western drama
peanut35620 November 1999
This is the story of a small band of cavalry, out to warn General Custer of the tremendous number of indians arrayed against him. While it offers fine drama and action there is much more going on here--Duty, Honor, Country: and how each man in the patrol comes to grips with his responsibility as a soldier. This should be MUST viewing for anyone contemplating enlistment in the Army!
The Army works on the principle that it's better to sacrifice a few to many. It's hard to be one of those "few."
hitchcockthelegend7 November 2012
Little Big Horn (AKA: The Fighting Seventh) is directed by Charles Marquis Warren who also adapts the screenplay from a story by Harold Shumate. It stars Lloyd Bridges, John Ireland, Marie Windsor, Reed Hadley and Jim Davis. Music is by Paul Dunlap and cinematography by Ernest Miller.
A small U.S. Cavalry unit snake their way towards Little Big Horn to warn General Custer of the mortal danger that awaits. But beset with inner conflicts and with the Sioux on their tails, chances of achieving their goal gets slimmer by the hour.
Low on budget but big on impact, Little Big Horn may just be the finest film to come out of Lippert Productions. With history as it is, the only thing going against Warren's film is that we know this band of men will not achieve their ultimate goal, but that's OK, for this is not about cheap heroics. Film is very grim, both in texture and thematics. With Warren and Miller painting a stark noir look to the visuals, story unfolds with futility the order of the day.
Heading the group are Capt. Phillip Donlin (Bridges) and Lt. John Haywood (Ireland), who we have witnessed at film's beginning forming a messy love triangle with Celie Donlin (Windsor). Captain Donlin is stickler for the rules, but are his motives clouded now? With the rest of the troop believing Haywood is a wife stealer, friction is palpable, yet Haywood keeps proving himself to be an admirable man, consistently doing things to make the troop reevaluate their feelings towards him. The group dynamic set up by Warren is first class, it crackles with intensity.
As the journey proceeds a number of potent scenes and scenarios come into play. A man staked up like a scarecrow as a trap, the drawing of cards to see who rides point - which the men know is almost certainly going to result in death - unmarked graves and wedding rings of the dead, these things really strike grim emotional chords. The Sioux are a constant threat out in the rocks or shadows, this troop, as we soon find out, are at the mercy of their better equipped enemy. There's a resignation residing within the group, yet it is that which binds them together. Arrows thud into bodies and blood pours from mouths, and then the finale comes storming in to close down this quite excellent film noir Western.
DVD packaged with Rimfire (1949) as a Kit Parker double bill of film noir Westerns, Little Big Horn is very much the better film. Both have the considerable visual skills of Ernest Miller to enjoy, but LBH is the more essential film on account of its across the board excellence. 8/10
A small U.S. Cavalry unit snake their way towards Little Big Horn to warn General Custer of the mortal danger that awaits. But beset with inner conflicts and with the Sioux on their tails, chances of achieving their goal gets slimmer by the hour.
Low on budget but big on impact, Little Big Horn may just be the finest film to come out of Lippert Productions. With history as it is, the only thing going against Warren's film is that we know this band of men will not achieve their ultimate goal, but that's OK, for this is not about cheap heroics. Film is very grim, both in texture and thematics. With Warren and Miller painting a stark noir look to the visuals, story unfolds with futility the order of the day.
Heading the group are Capt. Phillip Donlin (Bridges) and Lt. John Haywood (Ireland), who we have witnessed at film's beginning forming a messy love triangle with Celie Donlin (Windsor). Captain Donlin is stickler for the rules, but are his motives clouded now? With the rest of the troop believing Haywood is a wife stealer, friction is palpable, yet Haywood keeps proving himself to be an admirable man, consistently doing things to make the troop reevaluate their feelings towards him. The group dynamic set up by Warren is first class, it crackles with intensity.
As the journey proceeds a number of potent scenes and scenarios come into play. A man staked up like a scarecrow as a trap, the drawing of cards to see who rides point - which the men know is almost certainly going to result in death - unmarked graves and wedding rings of the dead, these things really strike grim emotional chords. The Sioux are a constant threat out in the rocks or shadows, this troop, as we soon find out, are at the mercy of their better equipped enemy. There's a resignation residing within the group, yet it is that which binds them together. Arrows thud into bodies and blood pours from mouths, and then the finale comes storming in to close down this quite excellent film noir Western.
DVD packaged with Rimfire (1949) as a Kit Parker double bill of film noir Westerns, Little Big Horn is very much the better film. Both have the considerable visual skills of Ernest Miller to enjoy, but LBH is the more essential film on account of its across the board excellence. 8/10
Gritty Realism
LACUES20 January 2002
"Little Big Horn" is a classic western with outstanding performances from the entire cast. There is no glorification of the calvary company's struggle with the Indians. Each character has a personal story and motivation for his actions. In the end the decimated unit realizes that their sacrifice is necessary to attempt to achieve the greater good. It is a shame that this movie is not readily available. I recently purchased a copy through Belle and Blade Videos. Lloyd Bridges, John Ireland, Reed Hadley, et al were never better. A "must see."
The western I loved the most as a youth.
soxfanray9 January 2017
This was my all time favorite Western. I loved at the end when John Ireland says "Sacrifice a few to save many"..And the bugler says "some on has to lead the charge" with Ireland "make it loud for the one's we left behind. So many great actors in this movie. John Ireland, Lloyd Bridges, Reed Hadley, Hugh O'Brian, Marie Windsor ( she is always great playing the other woman), Sheb Wooley (there was a one eyed one horn flying purple eater) also a regular in "Raw Hide" Jim Davis a another great western cowboy. Another western I enjoyed with John Ireland was "The return of Jessie James" with Reed Hadley as Frank James * Hugh O'Brian and Henry Hull as the Younger brothers.
A gem!
gps64224 October 2020
First saw this at our local theater as a nine year old in 1951. Remember being on edge throughout the movie wondering what next awaited the patrol. The direction, character development first rate. Atmospheric with an outstanding cast.
Picked up the DVD a few years ago. It was a gem 70 years ago. Nothing's changed
Another Little Big Horn story - without Custer
clanciai13 September 2023
It's like a shadow play behind the great drama of Custer and Little Big Horn, but as a small drama it is of infinite quality. John Ireland and Jeff Bridges both make something of their best performance, as the leaders of the very risky hazard of going with a small company towards Little Big Horn in an effort to warn Custer and save his hundreds of men before it is too late, several of the men realise it is a hopeless mission and want to turn back, but the Indians are too clever to be fooled, they keep them invisibly under constant observation and now and then appear to kill a few of them, until finally there is only a small remnant of the company, which nevertheless make a final effort to get through - by simply forcing their way through the Indian armies. It's a great drama on a small scale but well on par with all the great screenings of the Custer drama, of which the most comprehensive and extensive probably was "Custer of the West" 15 years later. John Ireland and Jeff Bridges are no Errol Flynns, but they certainly get through with it and not just with their boots on.
Lippert masterpiece done on the cheap
blademan-9560319 June 2022
Robert L Lippert, a notorious skinflint as a producer, caring much more about profits than quality much less art, once stopped a film in production for running over budget, it's director begging him to allow a scene or two more in order to make sense of the story, refused and released it as is, with an unresolved story line. And it made money.
His films, most made for less than 100K, and seldom aiming at a better than mediocre product were always profitable, as he had a knack for choosing entertaining stories and hiring excellent actors on the cheap.
He did however, despite their low budgets, make a few classics. Little Bighorn with Lloyd Bridges, John Ireland, Marie Windsor and a group of excellent character actors caught lightening in a bottle with a great story, was one of these.
Two others, coincidentally (or maybe not) also starring Bridges were Rocketship X-M, and The Tall Texan the last with a supporting cast under investigation by HUAC, thus temporarily blackballed and so desperate for money including Bridges himself, also included Lee J Cobb and Luther Adler. All three made in the early '50s continue to hold up well into the current century despite their miserly budgets because of their great stories and exceptionally fine acting.
His films, most made for less than 100K, and seldom aiming at a better than mediocre product were always profitable, as he had a knack for choosing entertaining stories and hiring excellent actors on the cheap.
He did however, despite their low budgets, make a few classics. Little Bighorn with Lloyd Bridges, John Ireland, Marie Windsor and a group of excellent character actors caught lightening in a bottle with a great story, was one of these.
Two others, coincidentally (or maybe not) also starring Bridges were Rocketship X-M, and The Tall Texan the last with a supporting cast under investigation by HUAC, thus temporarily blackballed and so desperate for money including Bridges himself, also included Lee J Cobb and Luther Adler. All three made in the early '50s continue to hold up well into the current century despite their miserly budgets because of their great stories and exceptionally fine acting.
Another western about an American trauma
searchanddestroy-122 January 2023
There were numerous westerns speaking more or less of Little Big Horn Custer's defeat. A pure trauma for US Army of this period, and which won't be forgotten for a long long time. There also was 7th CAVALRY, from director Joseph H Lewis, starring Randolph Scott and many more westerns which I don't remember the titles. This is here a lost patrol scheme with the proper body count that is of course grafted on this idea. Besides this body count, the classic romance rivalry between Lloyd Bridges and John Ireland for the woman Marie Windsor. Nothing new from this point, but for the rest, a pretty good first film for Charles Marquis Warren, a future excellent western specialist. Not the greatest, not John Ford, not John Sturges or Delmer Daves, but a good one.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
