Son of the Morning Star (1991– ) User Reviews

Best Custer movie yet.

[Bobster36 · 8/10 · 26 March 2005]

I generally find Gary Cole rather uninteresting as an actor. But he does a good job in edgy roles, like Jeffrey MacDonald in "Fatal Vision" and George A. Custer in "Son of the Morningstar." The movie has its flaws. It takes too long to get going and I found the Indian narrative tiresome.

But it provides the most accurate Hollywood depiction of the events leading up to Custer's last battle and of the battle itself. Cole portrays Custer as a driven man, but not the madman of "Little Big Man" or the saint of "They died with Their Boots On." And it accurately captures the scenery of the Little Big Horn, not the bizarre desert setting of "Custer of the West." Most details, some not so well known, are handled accurately. Custer's men did not have sabers with them (little did Errol Flynn know). Custer refused gatling guns because they were too cumbersome to haul over the hilly areas the cavalry was expected to cover quickly. Custer couldn't see the Indian village from a distance when it was pointed out to him by his scouts. Custer hastily made his plan of battle after being informed Indians had taken some lost supplies and, thus, discovered his whereabouts. All of this comes out in the movie, so that we don't just get the standard Hollywood Custer-as-egotistical-glory-seeker story. The real story was far more involved than most people realize, and this film portrays most of those events. The film also shows that Custer's Last Stand was a combination of orderly resistance and chaos, as Indian witnesses contended.

The film also does a good job with some of the other characters; Crazy Horse, Tom Custer, Major Reno, Captain Benteen and Captain Weir. Where the film misses out, in my opinion, is its failure to adequately depict the events involving Reno and Benteen during the battle. The film does an excellent job with Reno's charge, dismount and retreat to the bluffs, and with Weir's attempt to rescue Custer. But it should have gone further. The film has Weir's company merely returning to the reinforced bluffs. What we don't see is that Reno and Benteen actually mounted a slow moving trek following Weir's path, and all were forced to retreat to their original position where they fought valiantly into the night, while some soldiers who were left behind in Reno's retreat rejoined them after some harrowing moments hiding from the Indians. This portion of the battle has never been accurately portrayed on film (although "The Glory Guys" does a reasonably good job of it). And Morningstar squanders a great deal of time on far less interesting scenes instead of devoting time to this portion of the fight.

So, while far from perfect, this is very much the best Custer movie ever made and highly recommended to anyone who wants to learn more about what really happened. I keep hoping that one more major Custer movie will get made and finally get it all right.

The Crow called him Son Of The Morning Star.

[hitchcockthelegend · 8/10 · 2 September 2010]

Son Of The Morning Star is a made for TV movie that's directed by Mike Robe, with the teleplay adapted by Melissa Mathison from the novel of the same name written by Evan S. Connell. It stars Gary Cole (George Armstrong Custer), Rosanna Arquette (Libby Custer), Stanley Anderson (Ulysses S. Grant), George Dickerson (Gen. Sherman), Rodney A. Grant (Crazy Horse), Terry O'Quinn (Gen. Alfred Terry), David Strathairn (Capt. William F. Benteen), Dean Stockwell (Gen. Philip Sheridan) & Sheldon Peters Wolfchild (Bloody Knife).

Buffy Sainte-Marie narrates as Kate Bighead and location work is at Badlands National Park, South Dakota, Billings, Montana & Buffalo Gap, South Dakota (Kees Van Oostrum the cinematographer) and the music is by Craig Safan. The story tells of George Custer & Crazy Horse and the events prior to, and encompassing, the battle of the Little Bighorn. It's told from the different perspectives of two women, Libby Custer & Kate Bighead.

The name Custer and The Battle Of Little Big Horn has become one of the most famous stories of American/Indian history. Numerous books, films and TV shows have taken it as a source for entertainment or historical teachings. Of the many screen adaptations, Son Of The Morning Star is arguably the most fascinating due to its two pronged approach and willingness to explore all the principal characters from both sides of the War. At only three hours in length it's inevitable that not everything is covered, but when judged as a whole the makers here have evidently achieved remarkable results and kept it well balanced. It covers a ten year period that starts in 1866 when Custer was commander at Fort Riley in Kansas; and culminates with the famous battle that occurred in June of 1876.

There's some sloppy editing and not all the cast deliver convincingly in their respective portrayals. But everyone and everything about the piece is professional. Be it with the dissection of Custer the man (brave, arrogant, foolish & driven), or showing the Indian's as a complex race-to intelligently letting us into the government and political aspects of the period; Robe's movie is always narratively strong. The action is very well staged and the scenery (in spite of not yet having the DVD remastering it deserves) is very pleasing on the eye. We may never get the complete story in film form, or even one that will be budgeted to the extent of shaking Hollywood to its foundations. But this will do nicely and it's hoped that more people will not only get to see it, but also to hopefully appreciate its attention to detail. 8/10

It's very good, and it calls out for an even more accurate film on the subject

[tkensil · 8/10 · 18 December 2007]

Everyone seems to have an opinion on this subject, but the fact is that none of us were there when it happened. Many of us think we know the truth more than others because we are historians, teachers or history buffs. We can research it to death as I have throughout my life and read all the books. (see "Where Custer Fell" by James S. Brust). But we can't go back in time to 1876 and watch it unfold before our eyes and see what really transpired. So if you think Custer was a hero or idiot or goat during the LBH battle...well no one knows for sure. Reno and Benteen did not know what wrong either and they WERE there.

One story said that the Last Stand battle itself took about as much time as it takes for someone to eat lunch.

"Son of the Morning Star" is the best movie version yet of the battle. At least it looks like the Greasy Grass plains of Montana and not in the desert area of Monument Valley!!! Custer was not fighting southwest Indians like the Apaches either (see earlier film versions) So at least this film attempts to be accurate in some ways.

Is Oliver Stone going to make his version or is that a tossed script?

Where is the DVD?!!!!!! My VCR broke and I don't plan on replacing it. This movie I can watch numerous times, so again, WHERE IS THE DVD???!!!!

I must retract former comments about Gary Cole as Gen. G.A.Custer

[ksimon-5 · 23 August 2007]

I have just finished a fairly comprehensive study of Gen. G.A.Custer and the Battle of the Little Big Horn, that included virtually ALL of the current historical literature on GAC & LBH, and a TOUR of the actual Little Bighorn Battlefield in Montana. I therefore must not merely amend my previous comments but retract them all together. Gary Cole gives us an EXCELLENT and more historically accurate picture of this still controversial military officer, than ANY other actor before. Mr. Cole's GAC is much more real, human, complex and therefore accurate picture than say Errol Flynn's famous but almost comic-book character. Over all the attention to detail and historical accuracy is quite apparent in this excellent movie. Gary, sorry about my previous comments.....and oh yes I'm the one who probably needs riding lesson's not you. My High School students REALLY enjoyed your version of "Autie" Custer. I continue to highly recommend (and LEND) this outstanding movie to other American History teachers at my High School. Gary Cole does the "Boy General" PROUD.

Thanks: Kevin John Simon Miami, Florida

Worthwhile

[phj-2 · 7/10 · 19 April 2004]

I actually just bought this movie(ebay) for a significant amount. Not because I really thought it was that good, but because I`m totally hung up on the history of native Americans, and especially obsessed with the battle of Little Big Horn. In that respect I was NOT disappointed by this movie.

The climactic battle scene was actually very satisfying to me, because i was afraid it would a long wait for nothing. I was eager to see if they had managed to bring the great battle to a realistic scale (3000 thousand warriors, enormous Sioux camp). I was almost completely convinced. Both the choreography and the attention to historical details was flawless! All in all a must for "indians`/western fans" but also watchable for people interested in historical/war dramas. When that is said, this is after all a TV-production, and my review must be seen in that context.

7/10

A Sprawling Epic

[Quinn-5 · 9/10 · 22 September 1998]

"Son Of The Morning Star" is by all accounts and definitions an epic. With a period backdrop, compelling characters, a cast of thousands and a span of ten years, "Morning Star" fits the mold of almost every made-for-tv-mini series. Yet you can't help but feel it's being confined on the small screen like a belt that's too tight on you. It has the look and feel of a theatrical feature, and would seem so much bigger on the big screen. But Mike Robe's gigantic effort is no movie of the week basic network fodder. It's the post-Civil War story of General George Armstrong Custer, his lovely and loyal wife Libbie, and Custer's Indian equivalent Crazy Horse, and the interesting chain of events that lead the two warriors to the gentle slopes of the Little Big Horn, or, more popularly, Custer's Last Stand. But, as the Indian female narrator Kate Bighead tells us, "it was not [Custer's] last stand...it was ours". The first half of the film seems somewhat confused of its real direction, and it's pretty much the movies only flaw. We meet the characters, soak in the rich setting of the western plains of our country, and are led through such happenings as Custer's court martialing for his harsh treatment on deserters, the training of his 7th cavalry, the somewhat flawed presidency of Ulysses S. Grant, who, apparently, is quite the anti-Custer, and to a lesser extent to all of this, the early days of the Cheyenne warrior Crazy Horse, played by underrated Native American actor Rodney A. Grant (Wind In His Hair from "Dances With Wolves", which is what I believe ultimatly helped greenlight this production). But besides that jumbled storyline, which really isn't all that jumbled, there are first rate acting scenes displayed by Gary Cole as our arrogant blond hero, who seems to really know his stuff when it comes to first person impressions. Rosanna Arquette is just going through the motions, and so is Dean Stockwell as Custer's superior in Washington, General Sheridan. But the real reward for sticking through this movie is the heart-wrenching climax of all movie climaxes, the Battle of Little Big Horn. Custer's actual Last Stand isn't until the final half hour, but boy is it worth the wait. Mike Robe really deserves some, heck, A LOT of credit for this logistical nightmare of a production. He takes us through Custer's final moments with true skill and utter authority. Combined with the poetic and professional lens job done by director of photography Kees Van Oostrum, and a lush orchestral score by Craig Safan, "Son Of The Morning Star" is a real piece of work, and should be considered a genuine cinematic triumph in the annals of western and dramatic film. Kudos, guys.

Provoking and interesting portrayal of George Armstrong Custer and his last stand

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 5 September 2017]

¨Son of the morning star¨ deals with the exciting life of George Armstrong Custer that comes alive in this made for television movie formed by 2 episodes in an above average mini-series . The story of the stubborn George Custer (Gary Cole) , Crazy Horse and the events prior to the battle of the Little Bighorn (1876) , told from the diverse perspectives of two women , both , the Custer's wife , Libby (Rosanna Arquette) , and a young Indian . And following a parallel as well as opposite story of the life of Native American inspirational hero Crazy Horse (Rodney A. Grant) . This is a pretty good movie , and it calls out for being one of the more accurate films based on this famous role . In addition , appearing known historical characters as President Ulysses S. Grant/Stanley Anderson , General Sherman/George Dickerson , Gen. Philip Sheridan/Dean Stockwell and Indians as Crazy Horse/Rodney A. Grant , Sitting Bull/Floyd 'Red Crow' Westerman and Red Cloud/Nick Ramus .

This moving mini-series blends impressive battles , good action scenes , shootouts , go riding , politics , stirring Indian charges and many other things . The film centers about the vain , obstinate , and ambitious general Custer and wife , though takes liberties with historical facts . Headstrong George Armstrong Custer's complex characterization with an unusual point of view is well performed by Gary Cole who gives a nice embodiment of this Western hero . Opposing points of view on the same events by narrators speaking from different perspectives . And developing really two lives that will intertwine and culminate with the Battle of the Little Big Horn on June 1876 where Custer was exterminated with his entire command . Exciting final confrontation between Custer army and Indians is spellbound and breathtaking . The motion picture will appeal to biopic enthusiasts and Indian/cavalry western buffs.

The film is a fiction , but based on real events . George Armstrong Custer's career begins when is graduated in the known Military Academy of West Point and after that , he intervened in American Civil War where detaches in battle of Gettysburg . General Sheridan assigns him the command a regiment at Fort Abraham Lincoln . As it follows his Post-Civil War career (1866-1876) on the Great Plains and a recreation of the known ¨Fetterman massacre¨ . In 1869 Custer and his 7th Cavalry carried out the ¨massacre of River Washita¨ where one hundred Indians and their chief Black Kettle were murdered . Problems enhanced when the Commissioner of Indian Affairs directed all Sioux bands to enter reservations by the end of January 1876 or be declared hostile . Many bands of Sioux did not meet this deadline and were attacked by US troops . Crazy Horse and his Oglala people moved north to join forces with Sitting Bull , by the spring of 1876 some 3000 Teton Sioux and Northern Cheyenne warriors had assembled at Sitting Bull's camp in the valley of the Little Big Horn in Montana . On 25 June 1876 Crazy Horse and other war chiefs led the allied warriors against General Custer and his seventh Cavalry , Custer and all the man under his direct command were killed . This victory , however , brought relentless retaliation from the army and Sioux were scattered . Sitting Bull and his followers fled to Canada and stayed there until July 1881 , when he returned to the US and surrendered at Fort Buford , Montana . After he was placed on a South Dakota reservation , though for a year Sitting Bull went a tour with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and continued to regard himself as chief of his people . Crazy Horse was also detained and subsequently murdered . Finally , Indians were really slaughtered at the ¨Wounded Knee massacre¨.

Other adaptations about this historic character culminating in the thrilling battle of ¨Little Big Horn¨ are the followings : the best ¨They died with the boots on (1941) ¨ with Errol Flynn and directed by Raoul Walsh ; ¨Santa Fe trail¨ by Michael Curtiz with Ronald Reagan as Custer ; ¨Great massacre Sioux¨ by Sidney Salkow with Philip Carey as Custer and Iron Eyes Cody as Crazy Horse ; ¨Little Big Man¨ by Arthur Penn with Richard Mulligan as Custer ; ¨Custer of the west¨ by Robert Siodmak with Robert Shaw , Mary Ure and this TV miniseries by Mike Robe with Gary Cole.

please release this great film on DVD!!

[mattjsac · 9/10 · 19 July 2006]

To All Son Of The morning star fans"

this is a great war movie especially one made exclusively for TV. It needs to be released on DVD soon!!!!!! What needs to be done to have this film released on DVD? Very few films have capture the historic facts of this time period while also creating a very exciting film. We all really want this movie released on DVD! what's the problem? is Republic pictures still a viable entity? Is there someone we can contact to encourage them to release this film on DVD? What about the actors and actresses that were in this production possibly they could use their influence to persuade the producers to release this movie on DVD are there any plans from Hollywood to create different movies from the same time period? That would be exciting and something to look forward to.We hope it gets released very soon!!!

A good...but not great...series.

[JoshsDad · 7/10 · 19 February 2007]

General Custer is one of the most controversial figures in American history. He is perceived by some to be an egotistical, murdering, glory hunting pariah but to others he is almost a saintly figure to whom history has been most unkind. The truth inevitably lies somewhere between the two. Custer was indeed egotistical and also very ambitious, but he most definitely was not a murderer. Custer was a man of his time, a professional 19th century soldier obliged to carry out the duties of his office. No matter what he personally (and a letter exists to prove that Custer was against an Indian war) felt about his orders. Son of the Morning Star makes the mistake many make when dealing with Custer. It places 20th century 'politically correct' sensibilities upon the events of his later years which distort the truth to an alarming degree. Custer did not 'murder' women and children at the Battle of Washita, evidence exists to prove that he did, in fact, prevent soldiers from such acts although many were killed before he could intervene. Custer did not 'leave some of his men to die' after the battle, he was forced to withdraw as a large army of Sioux approached his position and he was ill-equipped to deal with them. Custer was vigorous in his determination for Indian Agencies to supply the reservation tribes with the food etc that they were entitled to, risking his own career in the process. And finally, at the Little Big Horn, he did not go charging in without thought or rationale. He presumed (incorrectly) that the tribes were escaping and, after giving orders to his subordinates which they did not obey, went in pursuit. Unfortunately there were many more Indians to deal with than expected so he held a defensive position and waited for reinforcements which did not come, due to the failure of others. Consequently he and his men were annihilated. Custer was a complex man, something that this film attempts to touch upon but is let down by it's emphasis on debunking anythinhg positive to be said about him. it's about time someone made a 'real' film about Custer. One that portrays his fine record in the Civil War (he is still the youngest ever General in the US army) and how he was an inspiration to his men. How he displayed great tactical knowledge and extreme bravery under fire. People laugh at Errol Flynn's portrayal of 'Saint Custer' and indeed the latter stages of They Died With Their Boots On are laughable, but the depiction of Custer during the Civil War is (although heavily stylised) very accurate. The flamboyant uniform, the cry of 'ride you wolverines!', marching to Garry Owen - this stuff really happened. After the war Custer was given one tawdry job after another by the army. He disgraced himself on more than one occasion and was ultimately court martial-ed, but he performed his duty for his country and should be remembered for the role he played as a winner in the Civil War, not just as the loser at the Little Big Horn. Cinematically, the film is escellent, with good attention to detail and fine staging of the battle scenes. It's a shame it is flawed by a ha'porth of tarred scripting.

Intelligent and Accurate with Attention to Detail

[LeonLouisRicci · 8/10 · 18 November 2012]

By all accounts this is the most accurate of the screen adaptations of the famous General Custer and his last stand. It is definitely one of the better TV Movies to date at the time of its release. The attention to detail and the balanced screenplay are impressive as is the depth of the story with a good deal of political procedures and insights of Washington D.C. at the time.

Manifest Destiny is defined in an unrestrained utterance by President Grant. It is basically "my way or the highway" to use a modern alliteration. It has a rich and thoughtful look and has more production values than television usually presented. The film covers a ten year period and makes some use of Custer's Civil War record and earlier campaigns to present us with a foundation and lets us in on the major mistakes and flaws as well as virtues in this military man's career.

The performances are very good with David Strathairn and Rosanna Arquette standing out. Gary Cole is adequate and is held up by the surroundings, script, and substance. The voice-over narration ties some things together and the battle at Little Bighorn is impressive and a fine finale that displays an engaging feeling of the event in both the location and the personnel.

Closer to reality.

[ptsj-music · 7/10 · 2 May 2016]

After watching this epic of the so called Battle of the Little Bighorn for the fourth time, I still think this is the film about the event closest to the truth. Better and more accurate than the other films about it put together, even it still much is a Hollywood drama. Althoug this is more of a biographic view of who the person G.A.Custer was, it's good because it gives a comprehensive, duplex and much more objective look on one of the most famous events in American history than other cinematic efforts. Much because the narrator is a Lakota woman,read by Buffy Saint Marie. Still it might would appear more credible if the Lakota woman described it as the Greasy Grass and not Little Bighorn. Perhaps also using Lakota language names on the native leaders would have worked better. I have always missed that actors in epic historical dramas look more like the person they portray. Gary Cole is not the actor I would cast for the Custer role, neither due to his looks or acting performance. On the other hand, Rodney A. Grant as Crazy Horse and in particular Nick Ramus in the small but important part as Red Cloud are as good at they can get. Althoug no picture of Crazy Horse exists, I believe in Grant's appearance, and it's also the first time his cheek wound and the story behind really comes to light. To find anyone with something close to the charisma and looks of Sitting Bull might just be impossible. Aside of that, Wes Studi and not Gordon Tootoosis getting to portray Geronimo in 1993 is more of a mystery. This is so far still the closest anyone did get to describing the Battle of the Little Bighorn in a sincere and objective way, though it may be far from a perfect portrait of the actual main character,George Armstrong Custer.

Superb! Every high school student in America should be required to see this movie.

[irish44 · 10/10 · 1 December 1998]

This movie is history coming alive. Gary Cole IS George Armstrong Custer and Rodney A. Grant IS Crazy Horse. David Strathairn, one of the most underrated actors of our generation, is tremendous as the "oily" Captain Benteen, quick to bad mouth Custer after the disaster. The final battle scene is first rate. I do find falut, however, with the Kate Bighead character (Buffy St. Marie) who serves as the narrator. At times, it smacked of "political correctness". I don't need this character telling me right and wrong. Let the facts speak for themselves! Even with this major fault, I still recommend the movie. Every high school student in America should view this film as part of their American History course.

If you want the history lesson, watch all 186 minutes otherwise the second half is the much better movie ....

[merklekranz · 7/10 · 20 November 2019]

Three hour movies that can maintain interest are truly rare, "The Good The Bad And The Ugly" being a notable exception. "Son of the Morning Star" is borderline tedious in the first half. The second half, from 1875 forward is solid entertainment. The Australian DVD comes on two discs and is divided perfectly, so that disc #2 is the one to watch. From the tearful departure to the tragic ending on the plains of Montana, Gary Cole is exceptional as Custer leading his men into the fateful battle. Custer's questionable strategy of dividing his troops is clearly defined, and right or wrong, the result is an overwhelming Indian attack. Overall I would rate the film a 7, but the second half definitely rates higher, probably at least an 8 and possibly a 9. - MERK

The story that lead up to Custer's last stand.

[bullett-3 · 3/10 · 13 March 2000]

Good T.V mini-series, but a confused story line that makes the early part of the movie, long convoluted and uninteresting. The characters are not fully developed and as such we dont really care about any of them, besides we already know what is going to happen. The battle sequences are O.K. but one does not get the feel of a large cast engaged in a large Cavalry battle. Most shots have only a few actors in them, and there are no large panoramic shots of a Cavalry Brigade in action. The previous week I had watched TARAS BULBA with Yul Brynner and Tony Curtis. The Cavalry sequences were broad, expansive shots which gave the feel of a Cavalry charge. Here probably due to budgetary concerns there is never a massive Cavalry charge or even feel of Cavalry combat. Perhaps if the film had adressed some of Custers early Civil War heroics this problem might have been cured. But it did not. Still the natural beauty of the Great Plains of the American West comes through. IT would be almost impossible to miss it in any film made there. Here we get the full affect. But the storyline, the plastic characters, the uninteresting battle sequences, and its pure length make this move a very difficult film to sit through at one sitting. AS such its a FIVE.

pretty good

[Jack_1515 · 30 June 2004]

A very good bio-pic as it closely follows the facts. Based upon the Book "Son of the Morningstar" by Evan S. Connell (1984). Gary Cole does a good job in a drama role as opposed to the many comedy roles he's done more recently. The bleakness of the plains and the futility of the events leading up to the Little Bighorn drag the movie down in its tone at times, but then this is a Last Stand saga. It presents the Native American Point of View and presents Custer's demise as a combination of his own folly and bad decisions by the US government.

More time could have been spent on Custer's life up to and during the Civil War, he was at Appomattox, received Lee's flag of surrender and was present at the signing of the surrender (and rode away with the table General Lee signed the surrender on!). He remains the US Army's youngest general to date. The movie rather focuses on Custer's life as an Indian fighter.

Noted historian Stephen Ambrose (who wrote "Crazy Horse and Custer") supported the possibility that Custer may have fathered a child out of wedlock with an Indian woman, a point covered in the movie and a major plot element. Robert Utley, former superintendent of the Little Bighorn Battlefield, noted a letter in his book "Cavalier in Buckskin" by one of Custer's own officers that asserted such a relationship existed (Capt. Benteen, one of Custer's officers at the Little Bighorn). This is still a debatable point and Custer may have been sterile as a result of acquiring a STD during his West Point Days, according to some historians.

Realistic account of events leading up to Little Bighorn

[Wuchakk · 6/10 · 7 April 2018]

RELEASED TO TV IN EARLY 1991 and directed by Mike Robe, "Son of the Morning Star" chronicles the story of George Armstrong Custer (Gary Cole) after the Civil War and to his death at Little Bighorn on June 25, 1876. The story is narrated from the different perspectives of two women: Custer's wife (Rosanna Arquette) and a Cheyenne woman, Kate Bighead (Buffy Sainte-Marie/ Kimberly Guerrero).

This was originally shown in two parts on TV 2.5 months after the theatrical release of 1990's "Dances with Wolves." Kevin Costner, the star of "Dances," was even the first choice to play Custer, but he opted for the superior project.

Speaking of "Dances with Wolves," "Son of the Morning Star" is very similar in tone, as well as other realistic Westerns of the general era, like "Conagher" (1991). But, despite the gushing of fans, it ain't no "Dances with Wolves." It's just nowhere near as absorbing; and is more akin to semi-tedious history lessons like "Gettysburg" (1993) and "Geronimo: An American Legend" (1993). If the creators would've cut out at least an hour of material it would've made for a more compelling watch, but they HAD to fill out two 2 hour spots (with commercials) to make it a 2-part "mini-series."

Still, it's a fairly interesting history lesson and superior to absurd Westerns that tackle the same subject, like "Custer of the West" (1967). Everything leads up to the Battle of Little Bighorn in the last quarter of the movie and it's worth the wait. At a certain point you can see on Custer's face the horror that there were just too many fired-up Indians and he & his men weren't going to make it out alive. It's as if he was thinking: "What the **** did I get us into?" The humbled man was 36 years-old.

THE MOVIE RUNS 3 hours 7 minutes and was shot on private property near the Little Bighorn National Monument in Montana close to Billings, where a fort was built for $200,000, and South Dakota at Buffalo Gap and Badlands National Park. ADDITIONAL MAIN CHARACTERS: Crazy Horse (Rodney A. Grant), Capt. Benteen (David Strathairn), Ulysses S. Grant (Stanley Anderson), Gen. Sherman (George Dickerson) and Gen. Philip Sheridan (Dean Stockwell). WRITERS: Evan S. Connell (book) and Melissa Mathison (teleplay).

GRADE: B-/C+

A Film Which Takes The Historical Truth And Deals With It Properly

[amadeus-26 · 10/10 · 18 July 2005]

As near as anything has yet got to a true and accurate reflection of the 1876 summer campaign; this film displays not only the history of the white push into Montana after Grant's "hostiles" and the final conflict on the Little Bighorn, but also explores the psychology and personalities of the important members of the 'Custer Story'. If one understands the mental reasoning, then one can have a better overall grasp of the history in a film which is largely liberated of possible romantic nonsense that movies in the past rated viable.

Son of the Morning Star also, commendably and thankfully, explores the history, society and feelings of the native peoples. The film removes the tinted image of the Indians being brutal and thoughtless heathen savages, allowing an audience to build sympathies for a people who were being invaded and eradicates the idea that these were a dark and quiet race who would sell their own mothers. And about time too. If that is all that a viewer take from this film, then it has certainly achieved one of it's objectives.

Not only is history, society and emotion addressed (the emotional angles are most effective, e.g. Custer's relationship with Libbie, the contrast of Crazy Horse and Custer etc-all very clever, potent and emotionally though provoking), but the filming locations are very good (I have been to the Little Bighorn and Reno's fighting ridge is an exact looking filming location as one could wish for) and the atmosphere created by minor details of dress, action (see Reno's hat in the battle) and background is wonderful.

You want a Western? You want Son of the Morning Star.

A Pretty Good Reenactment

[marksez · 6/10 · 5 July 2010]

Taking this movie for what it is, a movie about an historical event, it's pretty good. The scenes, settings, and dialogue all work towards looking and portraying the events documented in history. Because it's a movie, it is more of a play about real events. The music is the most disruptive and annoying part. It heavily detracts from watching the story. The dialogue is spoken as actors would speak it, with drama, rather than the conversational tone it was surely truly spoken as. The Indians, many of them, are fat, way too unbelievable for people who lived off the land, and Crazy Horse, while thin and muscular most likely didn't have the six pack of someone who works out, but maybe he did. Most disappointing is the portrayal of Captain Benteen, who, according to the movie, callously refuses to go to Custer's aid. I think in truth he didn't know Custer's location or true predicament. Though no love was lost between the two real men, Benteen was a brave soldier who would have come to the aid of other 7th Calvary soldiers. That said, it's a good reenactment movie with real or real looking historical sets, and I love the replacing of the famous Custer picture with Gary Cole as Custer in one of the closing shots. I believe that Custer, as a personality, was more likely a self-centered quarterback type, instead of the pretty boy he's played as. He sounds like he as a pretty ruthless killer, not very Errol Flynnish.

Riveting Historical Epic

[mksnyder · 10/10 · 30 October 2015]

Great acting, well directed and edited,accurate in the history...would recommend this unreservedly. The American government's crimes against the indigenous people are pretty well-known by now, and they are not unmentioned in this story. However,the attention is mostly on Custer's personality--his narcissism and ambition. He was, after all, a very interesting American type: convinced that he will succeed simply because he has the will. He was dashing and romantic and daring and completely foolhardy---all well-known and appreciated (or unappreciated) at the time. Gary Cole does a great job conveying the complexities of the man. Rosanna Arquette is instrumental in conveying his humanity. The story is Shakespearean tragedy at its best, and this production does full justice to that quality.

By Far the Best Custer Movie

[phillewis-42679 · 8/10 · 6 May 2017]

I have visited the Little Bighorn Battlefield about half-a- dozen times and have read many of the books regarding this epic confrontation. Unfortunately I have also seen some of the Hollywood movies that, supposedly, depict the Last Stand either as part of a much larger story or intending to depict the fight as its entire plot. After seeing a few of these movies I have tended to avoid other attempts since none of those that I saw come close to telling the full story, as I understand it. So, after reading several positive reviews of "Son of the Morning Star", I decided to chance it! I'm so glad that I did! OK, it's not perfect but it is infinitely better than any other offering. Parts of it, I think, would be rather confusing if you didn't have reasonable knowledge of Custer's life between the civil war and his final battle. For example the fate of Major Elliot's detachment, at the Battle of Washita, was glossed over; yet this event created a deep resentment within the ranks of the 7th Cavalry which may have had a bearing on events at the Little BigHorn. It's difficult to know how much of the Washington background to include, much of it is essential to understanding Custer's behavior in the build-up to that Sunday in Montana. As another reviewer has stated, it would be great if Hollywood were to produce a movie which actually stuck to the facts, as opposed to a two part mini-series. If this were to happen then maybe all copies of that fiasco called "Custer of the West" could be incinerated! The Battle on The Little Bighorn is an important fight. The defeat of the 7th is the least of it! It also marks the start of the downfall of the Sioux and Northern Cheyenne. The army was not about to sit back and let the Indians get away with that victory! As such the Battle deserves a realistic attempt to portray it on the big screen. I thoroughly recommend it!

First class and authentic

[Marlburian · 9/10 · 13 August 2005]

Having come late to this website I find that earlier comments have said everything I want to. My video-recording of the film is one of the very few I've bothered to keep.It appears 98% authentic, and a lot of effort seems to have been made to make those acting the junior officers look like the men themselves. I'm not so sure about Gary Cole, though; he looked like a sack of potatoes on his horse and he didn't seem too inspirational. But photos of Custer himself make him look a bit insipid - weak chin, droopy moustache - and apparently by 1876 he was beginning to go bald; Cole is a better likeness than Errol Flynn or Robert Shaw were, but we have yet to see a definitive screen Custer. David Strathairn has screen presence as Benteen. The voice-overs by Kate Bighead and Rosanna Arquette were remarkably similar in tone - almost dirge-like.

Stereotype of Custer

[jksmall2004 · 3/10 · 28 November 2006]

This movie was very historically inaccurate creating a monstrously flamboyant and cocky Custer. Yes he was arrogant and irresponsible but this movie went way over the top. Also it removes identity from the Indians by simply making them victims not in charge of their own destiny whatsoever. The actors were alright and it was somewhat interesting to see the story told from two opposing seemingly unimportant characters. The actions in the movie are very unrealistic however and cause me to rate this lower. Also the battle scene follows history closely but it is difficult to understand. It appears that Custer has about 100 soldiers involved total.

somewhat long, but worth every minute!

[richlieu · 13 February 1999]

If somewhat long, this epic "western" tells the story of Custer´s last defeat and tries to show what kind of man he was. Cole gives a stunning performance and the film is made interesting when seen thru "2 pairs of eyes", the wife of Custer seeing it from a white point of view and the Indian girl telling the truth about a black chapter of America´s history

Definitely worth watching!

A solid effort

[kennprop · 9/10 · 16 January 2020]

I caught this 1991 two part miniseries on You tube. I found it to be quite accurate history wise. Custer,last in his West Point class,was launched directly into the Civil War. Thru good timing,patronage,bravery, and maneuvering he was a boy general at age 23. Evidently he was quite adept at promoting himself. His bravery and luck were famous. He became rock star famous during the CW. A major gen. Brevet ( temporary during the war) He was reduced in rank after the war to regular Army Lt.Col. and went West to the Indian wars. He was famous for attacking helpless Indian villages.He was insubordinate and was not universally admired by his men.Gary Cole is Custer and he looks a bit awkward on his horse. I think he does a good job with this complex character. The rumours were that he had political ambitions and this campaign was to be a springboard. He was rash with a reason.Narration of these events is via a contemporary Indian woman that lived thru this period.Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull are on scene and wend their way thru the pertinent events of the period.This turns a Custer centric movie into a history of the plains Indian War. Background history after the CW era is quite interesting and politics seem rather corrupt. I know Custers wife did a lot for an enduring image of him after his death. He has had many films and takes on his behavior and Cole gets it right ,brave,audacious,ambitious, gambler,foolhardy, a bridge too far. Recent forensic work on the battlefield shows it was pretty much a rout. The Indians only had a few loses and it was over rather quickly. Benteen did a decent job defensively until releaved. This miniseries went beyond a made for tv production and at over three hours moves along decently. My overall take is that as warriors the Indians were superior.Their resources diminished and that was,what defeated them. They were chased and ground down .They were susceptible to winter attacks. Overall this epic is about 8plus.

Great Custer portuayal

[spmjfybbb · 8/10 · 19 October 2021]

I think Gary Cole's portrayal of Custer is one of he best ever. He captures Custer's arrogance and personality to a tee, from what Ive read about him. This mini series is worth watching.