"Son of the Morning Star" (1991) - Complete George Custer Mini-Series

[@stevenewman1393]

🤠👍This is still one of the greatest historical mini series ever made back in 91 on Custer's life and that fateful day at the Battle of the Little Bighorn indeed!,👌.

[@mary5292]

this about way more than Custer. Watch it again from the Native American view point and then read Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown to learn the true story of the west

[@stevenewman1393]

@mary5292 I Did watch it from the Native American perspective that was one of my very all time favorite things about the series and I myself have Bury my Heart and Wounded Knee and various other American Indian books and documentaries.

[@mikeyoung9810]

It definitely had that mini-series feel and in many ways, I miss those times with historical dramas that came to television. Those times are gone now but they were good times.

[@Story2ScreenMovieReviewPodcast]

I think this movie owes Dr Quinn Medicine Women and Dances with Wolves a huge ounce of thanks for being made.

[@ArmandoAlejandro2014]

Totally

[@DM-wu5hn]

Dances with Wolves would have been better if it was the truth.

[@ruthsaunders9507]

@@Story2ScreenMovieReviewPodcast This was before Dr Quinn and right after Dances With Wolves. Had some of the same actors. My sisters and I were in love with Crazy Horse. We used to get a lot of mini series but this one always stood out as a favorite.

[@pingasblobfish97]

Well said brother.

[@SNP-1999]

The title music is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever composed for a film. It is both melancholy and haunting at the same time and I can listen to it over and over again without getting tired of hearing it.

[@paulbentley1705]

Agreed!

[@janisosterman]

fesgsegeg1223

[@SoundOfOceanBlue]

It’s right up there with Dances with Wolves and The Last of the Mohicans. I can’t listen to “The Promontory” without bawling my eyes out!

[@gib59er56]

@@SoundOfOceanBlue LotM`s soundtrack is by far, and above the music of this and " Dances..." And these two are beautiful in their own right! But "The Gael" from "Mohicans" is soooo moving and powerful, that it does not even need a single scene of the movie to feel it, most specially a Scotsman.

[@lilyrain7584]

I am both Native and white European, this movie has always touched me in a strange way that I cannot understand and cannot express adequately. I watched it when it first aired, and I am so grateful to you for posting this most moving story!!! The music is so very haunting as well. I knew some of the Native actors, all the actors did an excellent job I cried when it ended, so tragic, so filled with sorrow.

[@davidcouch6514]

Even being a movie the Natives seemed enjoying themselves, the blues not so much.

[@arturasstatkus8613]

A-HO,✋

[@nialloneill5097]

It rains in your heart with sorrow, but soon, may the healing rays of the sun dry your tears, and bring you new life in the light of the sunshine that kindly caresses your moist, tear-ridden cheeks, and heals your pain, as the compassionate embrace of the wild and nurturing prairie winds reminds you of the endearing, eternal love of the Great Spirit.

[@nialloneill5097]

@@SouledOut357 So Means was involved in killing other natives, but why? I met him, and he was clearly a very angry man, but I thought his work with the Indian Association was for their benefit, and against the Govt and their agencies, who were creaming off funds from the natives who needed help. I have learned in life there is oft far more to a story than the one that meets your eye, and one cannot take other's words and history at face value, for there is so much deceit and vanity in the world. I am formerly Lakota too, Oglala, at the time of Custer...and Greasy Grass. We natives at the time still had connections with the Great Spirit, Who is at the same time the Holy Spirit, simply without a Bible, and the many works of fiction by the White man, who brought his insane ways to our lands. So some would say, we had no right to fight back, and if we do, it is further proof that we are savages, and in need of becoming civilised. The greed and the arrogance of the White men and his Ways, along with the may forms of genocide, now brings a long evil epoch to an end. This will start soon, in karmic storms that have bee for a long time prophesied by many cultures. Truthful and good living will have to be the new norm, and for those who cannot comply with this demand from the Great Spirit, at the behest of the Almighty Father, then they must and will be eliminated from the Wheel of Life, and forfeit the opportunity for further reincarnations, by which they could have completed their maturing, and returned to Paradise, the place of the eternal and blessed spirits. Just before the apocalypse, I shall once more set foot on the sacred lands of the Lakota, and pass on important spiritual tidings, as a last gift to the natives, to prepare them for what is to come. Each man must do it himself though, by becoming a genuine human being, for there is no room for hate, lies, greed, and violence in the New Kingdom of the Spirit, which follows the great Storms of the Last Judgment. Aho!

[@taroman7100]

Rodney Grant also about the same time as Dances With Wolves came out.

[@michaelflynn1136]

I read the book twice. Watched this series numerous times. The book and film are excellent!

[@drizzle952]

Book is excellent.

[@rasempress9724]

Picked up a copy today…went to the library to borrow it, n , as I always do, I looked thru books they always haveon sale in an annex…they sell books that they take out of circulation…lo n behold , there was a copy of the book on sale for $4..so I returned the copy that the library had had on their shelf ….good thing I had changed my mind about buying it on Amazon n had gone to borrow it at the library…as the Librarian said, now I don’t have to rush thru my reading of it…

[@michaelflynn1136]

@ You’re going to enjoy it. It was hard for me to put it down.

[@rasempress9724]

@@michaelflynn1136 i found this other book to b a GREAT read….”The Summer of 1876: Outlaws, Lawmen, and Legends in the Season That Defined the American West Hardcover - May 30 2023 by Chris Wimmer (Author) From the creator of the "Legends of the Old West" podcast, a book exploring the overlapping narratives of the biggest legends in frontier mythology. The summer of 1876 was a key time period in the development of the mythology of the Old West. Many individuals who are considered legends by modern readers were involved in events that began their notoriety or turned out to be the most famous ― or infamous ― moments of their lives. Those individuals were Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer, Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, Wild Bill Hickok, and Jesse James. The Summer of 1876 weaves together the timelines of the events that made these men legends to demonstrate the overlapping context of their stories and to illustrate the historical importance of that summer, all layered with highlights of significant milestones in 1876: the inaugural baseball season of the National League; the final year of President Ulysses S. Grant’s embattled administration; the debut of an invention called the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell; the release of Mark Twain’s novel “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer;” and many more. Contextualizing these events against the backdrop of the massive 100th anniversary party thrown to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, The Summer of 1876 is the ultimate exploration and celebration of the summer that defined the West.

[@mary5292]

Read Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. It will tell the real tragic story of the west

[@zackhartley4718]

Me and my dad used to watch this movie taped on VHS 5 times a summer when I was little. Probably one of the reasons I am so interested in this time period and history in general. What a good movie!!

[@jimmymalone9139]

Were you YOUNG OR LITTLE ? Maybe you are an old dwarf now Lear language

[@launekultur3453]

Lear huh?

[@6imarocker9]

Same here...today, 30 years after I watch it with my 4 year old son...I get the same chills I had as a boy...this movie and The Searchers with John Wayne...

[@taroman7100]

That's a neat memory.

[@TylerLedford-x4o]

"Me" didn't use to watch it. "I" watched it.

[@kevinowens6010]

Thanks for this treat. I got to be a extra in this making. Got killed four times with Reno and Custers groups for most of us as extras were filmed over and over. Lot's of little bloopers, but over all made a great TV series at its time.

[@peggypieters661]

How fun!! Not sure that is exactly the most appropriate description; maybe interesting is a better word. I saw it when it aired back in 1991 and still rewatch. Are you a re-enactor?

[@kevinowens6010]

No My friend had horses that could fall without getting hurt. One always fell on its back and was used in other movies. We parted waves when I moved thousand miles away. That horse is filmed or retreat with custer and the Gentleman who owned that horse and a few others. I was shot arrowed and just laying dead in many cuts. So when the dust scene comes towards the end of Custers demise only close up with arrows in me with a dozen other renactor's and friends. So I got the low, low pay job of just falling down. Laying around and riding horse. I was a good horse rider way back then. There was a lot of dying and getting up to die again for just about everyone involved. Custers hill didnot have that many men in reality on that slope. Maybe 40 of company F and part of company E. About most of company E ran down deep ravine. So that stuff cut from movie and Captain Calhoun struggles on the flank. Kinda grouped everything.

[@MrReed-yj3hk]

Must have been a cool experience and a dope memory 👍🏻 😎

[@ArmandoAlejandro2014]

I played a Mexican soldier in the 1997 film 'two for Texas' and they to reshoot one scene over and over again where I got killed by the Texans. It was tiring constantly going down and the I got hit for real several times with the butt of the rifle.

[@1223steffen]

@@kevinowens6010 wow.

[@aledakivett9255]

I read the book years ago and summer of 2020 I had the honor of visiting the Battlefield. Well worth the time.

[@deaddocreallydeaddoc5244]

did you read that actual history and learn how many blatant distortions are in this film?

[@gatosimple2354]

​@@deaddocreallydeaddoc5244Siempre ponen a los nativos de América como seres salvajes , que no tienen ningún derecho ni bienestar.

[@lindasapphire]

This is the most realistic version I've watched of the Battle of the Little Bighorn and I've watched them all over the years between movies and documentaries and this series fused into a brilliant film. Thanks for the upload.

[@FabioPornaro]

I agree...It is even more realistic and accurate than the battle reconstruction shown in "Little Big Man " (1970), which Is remarkable as well for how it described the combatants' movements on the battlefield...apart from Custer's lunacy, totally fictional!

[@BigPerm47]

Awesome historical mini-series. I show it to my high school students every year.

[@mikediaz8200]

Do the students like it?

[@BigPerm47]

@@mikediaz8200 Some of them like it.

[@joandar1]

A different take on a story that has been told in so many ways over the years. Well worth the watch! John, Australia.

[@MTknitter22]

Some of these high quality Made for TV productions were a lot better than big screen films if today. Excellent film and Gary Cole perfectly captured Custer’s famed cockiness, I think.

[@taroman7100]

'manifest destiny'

[@KevinWilliams-c2p]

The made for tv movies used to be so good! Seems now there seems to be nothing but low mentality junk!

[@dougeriksson927]

One of my favorite movies

[@mikewaskewicz]

Read the book in the 80's and haven't seen the movie in over 20 years so I watched it twice this weekend. Great channel and great movie.

[@ismokehiphopclips]

As a military Army Vet I have always been in Love with war series and movies since I was 5 years old. I knew I would end up serving.

[@paulbentley1705]

I played with toy soldiers and became a real soldier years later. I just knew one day… I feel you brother!

[@ismokehiphopclips]

@@paulbentley1705 Man those were the good days. Times were simple. Thank you for your great Response battle.

[@razorshark9320]

This is one of the greatest films about Custer and Crazy Horse and the events leading up to the Battle of Little Big Horn. I saw this film years ago on tv, but never got to finish it or learn what the name of it was. It's only on VHS, but I wish for to be on DVD.

[@quakie4]

Will be watching this again for myself & first time for granddaughter. Its important history to pass on to children in future, being from Pine Ridge SD. I too, knew many actors and have Sundance brothers with important roles. Custer finally fairly reflected. Taditional native clothing throughout thanks to Kathy Smith.

[@shireknight01]

Thank you so much for this, this is one of my favourite mini-series of all time, I have found copies in the past but this one is the best quality I've seen to date. What I wouldn't give for a proper remastered Blu-Ray release along with an audio commentary by Gary Cole and other surviving cast members and a second one by an historical expert but I guess that will never happen now sigh.

[@taroman7100]

me too! lots went into it. We loved watching it every year on date of the event.

[@BC-yd6dl]

This movie does a good job showing the strategic ineptitude of Custer. Splits his forces once, twice, THRICE. Benteen was the only one who had a brain in his head that day. It's funny how this is known as Custer's last stand and it is said that the 7th cavalry was defeated. No they were not! Benteen and Reno saved the 7th. Last year I went down to the Battlefield and I camped right where the Indians camped and Custer attempted his first ford in the middle of the camp, but was repulsed. I loved that trip. Very interesting place to walk through.

[@lindasapphire]

So true. Of course, they both had to take the flac afterward because they didn't die too and Custer's wife was so distraught that no one seemed to want to upset her fragile disposition!

[@Traveller69]

Sadly fell into the shadow of Dances with Wolves, released at the same time. I read the Evan S Connell book as a foreign student in Chicago in 1990. I have read it many times since. As for this. The determination to represent things as they were was and remains so admirable. Absolutely deserves full 4K restoration. The soundtrack is SO underrated. The final battle scene is so well done. The moment he must have realised it was over as his last escape route closed is beautifully captured. An absolute neglected classic.

[@edwinsalau150]

Really glad to have watched it. Was working at the time and never had the time to sit and take these in! In my old age, I am catching up! A very great mini-series.

[@rwhitehouse8806]

So refreshing to see the American Indians riding their horses bareback as they used to rather than with saddles covered with blankets as in most westerns. This and a hundred other small details show how well researched this film was.

[@Randal1862409]

It's a shame this great film is not on Blu Ray. Thanks so much for posting this.

[@moodyguymick]

I'd buy it 👍

[@VWbeetleAndme]

Amazon has it on DVD

[@Danni.D]

This mini series is absolutely excellent.

[@JerryEricsson]

Pretty close to the real story, from what I have read. I have been to the battlefield and walked the paths among the standing stones that depict where soldiers died. I myself am an old soldier, I did. 8 years in the US Army a few of them with the 3rd Armored Cavalry (Brave Rifles!) so the story of the battle bring a lot of things home. I grew up in the Dakota's, the trail that Custer took the 100 wagons from Mandan to the Black Hills wondered through dad's pasture land on the farm where I grew up, the ruts left by the wagons still cut the pasture land with deep groves. When I fished as a boy, we could look across Shade Hill Resivor and see the carvings in the cliff face left by soldiers of the 7th where they camped along the Grand River on their way to the Hills. I have spent many a happy weekend camping at Fort Abraham Lincoln campground along the Missouri River, and have ridden the steam boat up and down the Missouri to experience the wonder of such travel. I have toured the Custer House many times, and it is very possible that Custer and his men may well have traveled across my yard as they had to pass through where my home town now lies.

[@jamesalexander3530]

This film is on my list of ten best Western films. A pity it cannot be transferred to digital HD. What I enjoyed the most was the story from the Indian perspective and the tragic end of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull and their people. I'm grateful I didn't live then to witness this momentous calamity in the mid-1800s. If the film is ever digitized I would purchase it immediately. Thank you for uploading this great movie.

[@taroman7100]

me too! So well done. Beautiful compelling score.

[@Leo-dz6wu]

Love this movie I came back to watch it like a hundred times

[@SuziQ499]

Capt Benteen's hair is the clear star of this film.

[@paulbentley1705]

😂

[@LucianoGabotti-lf4cj]

Benteen was the best man of Custer's regiment.

[@jefft8597]

He also has the best lines. "Mistakes were made."

[@robertschultz6922]

@@LucianoGabotti-lf4cjI wouldn’t go that far but he was one of the heroes for sure. Capt Keogh was also one of the best in the regiment, unfortunately he was put in a totally impossible position by the “general” and he and his command paid with their lives! Reno was probably the worst of the regiment. Totally incompetent and never should have been given even a company to command much less a battalion. He lost half of his command with a in decision the timber with the mount, dismount, mount dismount, mount order. Totally lost his mind and lives were lost. I don’t know how he lived with himself after that. The other big hero was dr Porter. The lone survivor doctor who saved countless men with almost no supplies and little water. If he would have been lost, how many other men would have died???

[@KevinWilliams-c2p]

That coward should have been hung!!!!!!

[@beanwl]

Thanks for posting..can't find this on DVD. Great film. Just got back from the Battle of Little Big Horn and told my wife about this film. Thanks again..

[@JamesBray-qm8gr-q3w]

Most OUTSTANDING and MOST Accurate movie on Custer, the Indians and the Battle of the Little Big Horn! I am so disappointed that noone will reproduce this in HD on DVD for sale !!!!

[@Paparoxx]

Hardly accurate according to Native America accounts. Good movie though.

[@williammoore1980]

It’s on DVD on Amazon.

[@jeffcurrey8765]

A very good reproduction (as good as can be expected, anyway) of the original VHS movie. Almost wide screen and not as blurry as the cheap-asz dvd I have. Thanks for posting this excellent movie.

[@ep9421]

Thank you to you all for uploading these old movies to KZbin. Otherwise, we rarely see any of the old classics westerns on TV. Us old people relive our youth growing up and watching. These are a lot better than those stupid reality shows they have on tv these days. Thanks again, from EP from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺

[@Grimba86]

I remember seeing this movie in the 90s I believe. Thanks so much for posting it here.

[@thelawaroundhere3603]

If I ever knew that this was a mini-series, I forgot. I got this 2 vhs tape movie, or what I thought was a movie, for my 14th birthday. Maybe 15. Thanks for this blast from the past! Here is another example to prove that our devices are listening to us. Literally 2 nights ago, I looked for, and couldn't find, this "movie" on Netflix. Then...POW! This title shows up on my feed. If I'm lying, I'm crying. And I ain't shed a tear. Hahaha!

[@taroman7100]

Beautiful score, spectacular combat scenes with a striking dominant landscape. This came out just after Dances With Wolves when made for TV movies were still a thing. I think the script, acting, cast were top rate and I read the major tome Evan Connell wrote.

[@JDqs-kg5sp]

Grew up watching this, we had it on VHS

[@gallantcavalier3306]

Thank for bringing this back, I truly do love this channel for all the amazing content it provides.

[@DaveSCameron]

Hear Hear 👍

[@gallantcavalier3306]

@@Wolcott KZbin copyright… what else?

[@joeshoe6184]

Wow! I had my doubts when I saw "Made for TV", but this was really well done. I'm not a Custer scholar by any means, but it seemed to be very historically accurate. It neither demonized nor glorified Custer. The battle scene was riveting. Just really well done all the way around. Thank you for posting.

[@karencarter8292]

JoeShoe -- I reluctantly watched it. 'Have mixed feelings about it. I kept thinking of Yellow Tavern and the last cavalier -- Jeb Stuart. When the scene shows Custer being hit and soon dying, I could not help but scream -- 'Yellow Tavern!! Custer, you and your Yankees killed Jeb Stuart !!' Some of my predecessors rode and fought with Stuart.

[@billcollins2798]

While this is well done, there are critical historical errors which always paint Custer in a bad light. Of course, movies like _Little Big Man_ which show Custer as a raving lunatic, are so far, far afield from the truth, depictions like _Son of the Morning Star_ almost seem charitable. First, Custer's competence as a cavalry leader is glossed over or questioned. The accounts of the men who served under him in the Civil War give a decidedly different account from the contemporary assertion that all he did was charge when he saw the enemy. Second, Custer did send a search party after Elliott. Custer certainly bears a degree of blame for not exerting a greater effort to find Elliott, but the movie asserts that he didn't search at all which is blatantly untrue. Moreover, the film glosses over the very real threat of attack from other Indians in the area. While that may not totally exonerate Custer, it adds a dimension that detectors often leave out. Third, the movie alleges that Custer sent Benteen off on a senseless scout ("valley hunting ad infinitum") prior to the battle at Little Bighorn. However, Connell had access (see his bibliography) to Lt. Gibson's account of the battle (he was Benteen's subordinate and was present when Benteen was given his orders) who stated that Benteen was indeed sent on a scouting mission but that they were ordered to _return_ to the command as soon as possible. That explains why Custer addressed his last written message via trumpeter Martini to Benteen. Custer expected Benteen to follow orders. None of this is shown in the movie. Any objective viewer who is unaware of the historical record will walk away from the movie with a negative impression of Custer's competence. For the record, I am not a Custer disciple. He earned plenty of criticism. But legitimate criticism does not justify a distortion of the record.

[@joeshoe6184]

@@billcollins2798 point taken. Like I said, I'm not a scholar, but I have read alot on the subject. Custer was brilliant in the Civil War. He wouldn't have been made the youngest General in the Union Army if he wasn't. Neither would Sheridan have given him the very desk that the terms of surrender at Appomattox were signed on if he didn't play a crucial role in that final campaign against the Army of Northern Virginia. As for Elliot, by the time Custer realized Elliot was missing, he was under pressure to withdraw under attack from a numerically superior force. His options regarding Elliot were limited at best. Regarding Benteens scout, he carried out his orders but there are accusations that he tarried. Those are my opinions based on limited knowledge. I did not catch them while watching the movie, good eye, but I still think it's pretty accurate based on my understanding of events.

[@joeshoe6184]

@@karencarter8292 that's great personal history! My last name is Price and my dad is from northeastern Missouri, close to where the General Sterling Price monument is. Like many officers in the Civil War, he fought for the US Army during the Mexican War then with Confederates in the War Between the States. I often wonder if I'm related to the old boy...

[@billcollins2798]

@@joeshoe6184 In fact, Gen. Sheridan told Libbie that he knew of no one to whom he could give greater credit for bringing about the Confederate surrender than Custer. And you're quite correct about the strategic situation at the Washita. Custer had to take into account the welfare of his entire command over an as-yet unaccounted for Elliott (who took off without orders). Armchair quarterbacks can come up with lots of things he could have done, and perhaps what he _should_ have done, but it is inexcusable for the film to assert that Custer did nothing. And it is clear from your response that you have read well on the subject. I would say, however, that though Benteen _technically_ carried out his orders, what he did does not correspond with what he testified at Reno's court of inquiry. He stated that he was ordered to go "valley hunting ad infinitum" and that Custer's orders made no sense. In other words, he returned to the command _contrary_ to what Custer ordered him. If Gibson's letter to his wife is true, then it is clear that Benteen lied under oath. And given the fact that Custer's last written orders were to Benteen, the evidence is decidedly in that direction. I agree that this is probably the most accurate film on the subject. Though it got some critical things wrong, it also got a lot of things right. If you've never been to the battlefield, it is worth the trip. My time there was limited due to other commitments (I had only a few hours). I could spend days there.

[@AL-qz2fi]

Absolutely the best Custer film ever.

[@Defender78]

I cant believe that in 2026, it will be the 150th anniversary of the battle, i wonder what kind of films and docs will be in the works for then!

[@razorshark9320]

I agree with you. The film is only on VHS and not DVD. It should be put on DVD.

[@DM-wu5hn]

I bet everyone had a great time making this movie.

[@garyabernathy4777]

Yes it was, the bastard got what he deserved by the Indians. And this country should be ashamed of him.but the have always went the way of satan.

[@mikefournier2601]

I heard a lot was film when they have Reina tment in June every

[@taroman7100]

Thank you so much for posting the entire movie! Grateful.

[@alexmckeel9128]

I first saw this in my 8th grade year and still enjoy it to this day.

[@debbieramsey-hanks3757]

A wonderful sweeping saga that I am sure will have me on the edge of my couch. Thank you

[@MichaelSSmith-hs5pw]

Ah, Roseanna Arquette, the great celebrity groupie, she was wild, Toto (the band) even wrote a song about her in March 1982, She was only twenty at the time and not yet a big star. She went to high school with one of the band members & partied with them so she was a perfect muse for the song.

[@3nok]

i've been looking to stream this somewhere, very thankful for this upload!

[@franciscaMoyer]

thanj you for this series very good love

[@FRANKTHRING1]

As a history professor and a buff of the 1876 Sioux War, this series is more accurate than most but it suffers from severe budgetary restraints and just because it tells the Custer story better than most does not make it in any way a great reconstruction of Connell`s masterpiece, a truly magnificent book. As an example, Libby Custer plays a relatively minor role in the book (which is not an easy one to to make into a movie) and there are no Indian maidens telling a story. I think there should have been greater concentration on the 3 principal characters of the Custer tragedy - Custer, Reno and Benteen. It is however very enjoyable with the most accurate Little Bighorn battle thus filmed.

[@roninkraut6873]

A better book is “Custer’s Luck” by Edgar Stewart. It’s not a novel but a historical look at what transpired that campaign.

[@ryanh9183]

To me the budget restraints come in the form of, with the exception of Rosanna Arquette, there's no familiar actors in it. What would've kept this from falling into obscurity was some star power. But I think the problem is who the hell wants to play Custer and die on that hill? And I don't think there was ever any intent to give an accurate reproduction of Connell's book. They don't make these shows for professors or arm chair historians. They make them to sell to everybody and what does everybody wanna see? Custer dying in slow motion facing overwhelming odds with someone screaming his cheesy nickname. Facts have been left in the dustbin for those that still care to pick out. In the meantime it's the legend that gets printed. It does, however, seem to provide a place for folks like us to come together to discuss, speculate, and even debate these kinds of events. I can appreciate that. Cheers, sir.

[@rogerbraithwaite]

​@@ryanh9183 ,and

[@anthonytroisi6682]

This otherwise worthwhile program suffers from budget restraints that are apparent in the costume, male-up, hairstyle and interior design departments.l@@ryanh9183

[@ray.shoesmith]

​@@ryanh9183Gary Cole, David Strathairn, Terry O'Quinn and Dean Stockwell were hardy unknowns

[@SNP-1999]

Although the circumstances were very different in detail, Custer's defeat at the Little Big Horn in June 1876 had eery similarities to the British army's defeat at Isandhlwana during the Zulu Wars in January 1879, two and a half years later. In both campaigns, three columns of troops were sent from different directions to engage their enemies. In both battles, a large force of professional white soldiers from one of these columns were defeated and practically massacred by native indigenous warriors. The main difference was that while Custer and his 7th US Cavalry were defeated after attacking a large camp of various indian nations at the Little Big Horn, the British 24th Regiment of Foot and auxiliary troops were attacked in their owm camp at Isandhlwana by a large force of Zulus and massacred. Whereas Custer lost nearly 300 men fighting about 2,500 Sioux warriors, the British on the other hand lost about 1,700 men fighting against about 25,000 Zulu warriors. Finally, the biggest difference between the two battles was that Little Big Horn was of course a cavalry engagement, whereas Isandhlwana was primarily an infantry battle. After both battles, the bodies of the dead white soldiers were mutilated following the customs and beliefs of their adverseries. Finally, the defeats happened because the commanders of the American and British soldiers, General Custer and Lord Chelmsford respectively, commited the cardinal sins of military tactics by dividing their forces without knowing the strength and dispositions of their enemies, and by criminally underestimated their foes, they led their men through bad generalship into tragic defeat and death. The Battle of Isandhlwana was portrayed in the 1978 films "Zulu Dawn" starring Burt Lancaster and Peter O'Toole as Lord Chelmsford, and in part in the excellent 1964 film "Zulu" starring Michael Caine. p.s. Another peculiar similarity between the two battles was the landscape - both battles were fought in rolling hills amongst rocky outcrops and grassy plains. Uncanny likenesses indeed.

[@CSAFD]

Dude Custer was a Lt. col., not a general anymore, plus he was a dumba$$, didn’t listen to his scouts or Terry about waiting to attack. Arrogance gets u killed. Custer was a war criminal from 1861-1876 just like useless grant, Sheridan and Sherman.

[@johnwalteroka1173]

It was a total massacre to the white man who had no business being there just like here in New Zealand and Australian indigenous peoples and is still happening there in Australia today misplacement and oft times senseless killing.all in the name of God .

[@locarnese5598]

The reason why Custer split his contingent has to do with Indian tactics of scattering in all directions upon making contact with the Army. He wanted to make sure that he could have a direct engagement with them, by coming from different directions and cutting off a potential escape. He was partially successful at this in the Washita campaign, but at Little Bighorn he lacked the proper intelligence about the number of Indians he would contend with.

[@paulwebsterekdahl1909]

You can add the 'Charge of the Light Brigade' to that list of famous British military blunders

[@jimbob465]

It was also the last real hoorah for both peoples before they were conquered.

[@ryanh9183]

I remember seeing this back in '91 when it first aired. Seemed pretty consistent with tv movies of the time in terms of quality and only lacks a big name star or two. It was great catching Gary Cole years later in Office Space and thinking holy shit! That's Custer! My only real complain here is Ms. Arquette's wasted as a cheerleader wife. Her only purpose it seemed was to tell everybody, even him, how great he is and to cry when he's gone. That cringy squeal-scream when she runs after him would've made me ride faster towards the Sioux. Thanks for putting this up! Much appreciated!

[@danieltossounian1962]

Well Custer supposedly had an Indian lover …

[@JamesBray-qm8gr-q3w]

Why will anyone not make a high quality DVD of this movie for sale?!!!! I would love to buy it as it is the BEST depiction of this battle and Custer!!

[@taroman7100]

It is. But I think the time has past. Lots of really good things will never get transferred unless you can have the tape transferred to DVD.

[@debbiewilson6527]

Thank you, This is in my top 10, along with Jeremiah Johnson, Last of the Mohicans and Turn , Washington's Spies.

[@jebbush532]

YES thank you, thank you, thank you. So hard to get ahold of this film.

[@dannybryan2398]

Brilliant re-telling of custer and events leading up to little big horn. I remember watching parts of this when it first aired in uk in 91. Very hard to buy this now on dvd which is what I ve been trying to do for a while.

[@ralphgeigner5497]

We took a family vacation to SD and other locations; it was the year after the movie Dances with Wolves came out, That theme was a big deal in that area etc. We spent 3 days in the Custer area battle sites, stayed in Hardin, MT I had no idea that so much of the Indian Wars was fought out west in SD etc. At the Custer Battle site, there was no protection at all, there was an excellent museum, and we took a special horse ride tour of the area. My daughter and I A Cavalry dressed and Indian were our guides and also had a unique period foods and coffee etc.

[@taroman7100]

Cool! Pretty impressive.

[@flynnyfinn7919]

I've only just discovered this from the 90sTV website, this is brilliant

[@danielberman2773]

4/8/2023 this movie is 31 years old now! Every dog, horse, mule, bird, cow in this movie is dead and in heaven! R.I.P. P.S. I saw this on TV when aired 1991, I loved it then I still love it now!

[@Fvpigpen26]

You are right. My horse lived 31 years, and I was surprised she lived so long.

[@tcreekjack]

Mule lifespan is 35-40 years, sometimes as long as 50. It’s quite possible that some of those long ears are still alive and kicking (literally). 🤠

[@richardsavino3612]

I went there first in late 60s when there were no keep out signs at reno battlefield so waa able to explore the bottom of reno hill, waded across the river and climbed the bluffs that reno climbed. Awesome.

[@robertbracamonte4054]

Wife and I visited battlefield in 1980s. One could feel a presence. Hear the sounds of battle. The glory of heroes both sides...a truly awesome experience

[@gulalatas9163]

Heroes on both sides?only heroes were native indians who were the ones defending their homes,land and lives from invaders.and luckily only 30 something of them became martyr that day.americans were never been heroes.hope they burn in hell for what theyve done to native indians

[@chrisnorcutt9060]

Myself and My Wife and Son and His Best Friend , Our Line Plt of 10-12 Men Got Pinned Down In Vietnam 🇻🇳 By VC , and My Entire Platoon Froze , I Said If You Don’t Give Them Any Help They Are All Going To Die , So Am The Only One Firing An 81 Mm Mortor Using Only A Compass 🧭 👍🙏

[@taroman7100]

We always wanted to do that. Now it's too late.

[@albertostanghellini8684]

This is one of my favourites tv mini-series , actually my favorite. Some years ago I purchased the vhs of this tv movie , on ebay usa, but now I don' t have anymore a video recorder to watch it. Furthermore on youtube I can put english subtitles, to follow the dialogues. The battle is represented very well, the most accurate version I ever seen in a movie, with a great deployment of forces. As italian I like very much the scene when Giovanni Martini or Martino , Sala Consilina 1873-New York 1922, aka John Martin , meet Captain Benteen and doesn't understand the word " hostiles"..." Where is the Hostiles ?, and he replies " The horses ?". Since when I was a child, I saw at the theatre Arthur Penn movie " Little big Man" and on tv , Raul Walsh movie " They died with their boots on ", the Battle of Little Big Horn has become something mythical, something that goes beyond the armed conflict. The places where it was fought have a great charm, the Great american Plains.

[@OdeeOz]

Thank you for sharing this excellent series, for those who missed the original airing, and we who remember it when it aired. 4👍 5⭐ Countless❣️ To LionHeart for this, and many other great productions they have, and are continuing to make!

[@peppersfool2232]

Great film; thanks for posting.

[@blockmasterscott]

I loved those mini-series. Roots, Marco Polo, Winds of War, Son of the Morning Star, Shogun, and I probably forgot a couple.

[@alancasey3176]

Thornbirds!

[@blockmasterscott]

@@alancasey3176 Ohhhh, I forgot about that one!

[@nickdarr7328]

Is shogun any good? I read the book 5 years ago but didn't have much faith in the miniseries and grew up in the 90s/2000s so don't have the nostalgia factor. If it's good I want to watch it though

[@blockmasterscott]

@@nickdarr7328 I'm not really sure, it's been something like 30 or more years since I saw Shogun. I liked the book though, read it two months ago.

[@SwisstedChef2018]

North and South

[@Onlytheclouds]

Really well done. I miss the practical effects in these older movies. Green screen crap can’t compare.

[@frankblunt2482]

Custer wanted to be remembered for all time. He got his victory.

[@paulbentley1705]

He died like a warrior.

[@nifty1940]

@@paulbentley1705 He had no choice.

[@nifty1940]

Inglorious though it may be, he is remembered for all the wrong reasons.

[@paulbentley1705]

@@nifty1940 He could have freaked out and threw his weapons down. He fought like a man.

[@nifty1940]

@@paulbentley1705 I'll take your word for that as I wasn't there. Bottom line though, he screwed up and they all died!

[@rogerdean5757]

I've been to the "Little Big Horn" many times. If you haven't watched the making of this, you should it is very good. Very realistic.

[@mranderson5668]

Again, thanks for posting this!!!

[@leroyhovatter7051]

Saw This As A Kid When It First Came Out I Was 12 Years Old. But I Can't Remember How We Got It Before Satellite Was A Main Stream Thing. LOL.

[@southlander2023]

The book is fantastic as well. Highly recommended.

[@markdaniel5784]

thank you very much for posting this

[@Fernando-R]

Recent archeological discoveries are not conclusive, but strongly suggest that Custer shot himself in the temple. There was no last stand, but unorganized panic fire in all directions among the U.S. troops. This movie holds up well, and is a great watch. Thank you for posting it.

[@Sven_E07]

As far as I know he didn't bleed from the head wound. He had died already from the other wound. Someone only made sure he was dead.

[@MedicineWolf]

This is not even remotely true. What kind of "archeological discoveries" would determine if a man shot himself in the temple, or if his friend did or if an enemy did? Exhumation of the bones? That would only at most determine what size bullet it was, but there has never been any exhumation of Custer's grave. Several eyewitnesses however who saw Custer's body said the head wound had not bled and that it was too small to have been from any of the 7th's weapons: 1873 Single-Action Colt .45 revolver and M1873 Springfield carbine which fired a .45-55 cartridge (lots mistakenly say it was a .45-70, but that was the infantry version, the charge was reduced for the cavalry for use while mounted) either way, the men who observed Custer's wounds would have known what .45 wounds would have looked like. Many Indian eyewitnesses spoke of soldiers who did commit suicide, but Custer wasn't one for he had either already died from the wound in his side or was finished off by an Indian firing a different weapon. Regardless, there are no "recent archeological discoveries" that "suggest that Custer shot himself in the temple".

[@markstravelvideos4326]

He was also right handed and shot in the left temple, we will never know exactly what happened.

[@mjbachman3027]

More likely is that George Armstrong Custedead. first shot in the chest, but not drad.His brother Captain Tom Custer applied the shot to the temple of his oldest brother George, so that George wouldn't have to be conscious during a Lakota or Northern Cheyenne torture.

[@TNT-km2eg]

What a woman , Mrs Custer ! Beautiful , intelligent and faithful . Kept his memory alive all her life .

[@RW4X4X3006]

This is perhaps as close as we'll get, regarding a visual of the battle at the Little Bighorn. For folks only acquainted with it, the final "stand" of Custer's command, here, is just a piece of the calamity unfolding across that ridge, which is not portrayed in the film.

[@dunbar555]

In reality Benteen was the only commander not telling his men to dig in the night of the battle on Reno's hill, and they paid it dearly in the morning.

[@alanwilson6367]

Wonderful show thanks for your hard work bringing it to us.😊😊

[@DaveSCameron]

I like your mech here however I can't conceive our wearing a tee showing others our heritage but I appreciate there must be a reason for it. Best wishes to you all from Liverpool, England, 🇬🇧🇺🇸📚💯 #ourhistory

[@JDqs-kg5sp]

146 years ago today !

[@DaveSCameron]

wow! Thanks for the reminder #ourhistory

[@jonathanroberts6110]

Thanks so much for posting this. Loved it.

[@Robo67-24]

Watching this again coming up to the anniversary in a couple of weeks. The part where Libby runs to Audie and is hugging and crying cause she knows he won't be coming back gets me every time

[@peterbozzo1451]

This was so very sad and so tragic for the American Indian How they suffered Breaks my heart Custer deserved everything he got HE was a butcher!!

[@Bullrider33Outdoors]

I wish This Movie Come Out On Blu Ray

[@VWbeetleAndme]

Amazon has it on DVD at least.

[@yana1955]

Beautiful music score.

[@johnfrancis2215]

Just seen this, it's a must watch for me

[@robertwaid3579]

A Remarkable Film Yes indeed Once President Grant signed the Order. That the Tribe's must return, too The Reservation's by January 1st 1876. This ended Literally the Native People's ability too Continue, Thier Free roaming lifestyle! On the Great Plains & Mountains. From then on, they were expected to Draw & Aquire all Thier Food stuffs n Blanket's, also all other necessities of Life. From the Agency Agent's. As well as from The Indian Bureau of Affairs. Over the Past & Previous Ten Year's. These Govt. Bureau's? Had proven too be Highly Corrupt, Totally Unmanageable, nor Unable too Fullfil even the Basic Needs of the Reservations Inhabitants. This Fact wasn't just True of the Plains Tribe's either? But all The Reservations, & Agencies throughout the Entire Country. Also as they elude too In the Film? The Economic Depression that hit this Nation in the Fall of 1873 & into Spring of 1874? Was a very Big Factor in having too Basically take Back The Black Hills, & this the Indian Lands. The Expedition of 1874, into the Black Hills, was a decoy or falsely told Lie. To the Tribe's? That the Army was there too force Out, the White's, Miners, Enterloper's, & other such People. Who had encroached, on the Native Land's. Supposedly the Army was going too Site & set up Army Post's to Protect Both Cultures. In due Course of that Expedition the men with The 7th Cavalry, were able too Prove. That the Black Hills. At that Time was Estimated too Have in excise of over 16 Million Dollars !! Worth of Gold buried in the Ground. FYI. A Film/Movie, that tells this Story more thoroughly,& Completely is Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee. I personally Recommend it very Highly. Well that's enough from Me. Thank You, who ever it was that? Had this Great Film 📽️🎥 Posted. I've always Admired it,& Enjoyed it. Thanks Again. Wyoming, Robert,🇨🇦🇺🇸🇨🇦🇺🇸🇨🇦🇺🇸💭👌👀👀🤔🤔👌🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏. Coincidentally, Yesterday was The 146th Anniversary of the Battle.

[@justinchamberlain4382]

1 of my most favorite all time movies. Wish I could get it on dvd

[@Wildwest89]

Really wish someone would release and good dvd or Blueray version of this movie

[@67judge]

This movie 🍿is so interesting 🤔 the 3 hours go by quickly for me. Great 👍🏽 Movie…

[@faicalberrim4417]

c'est nôtre génération cinématique magnifique de la l'époque magnifique aussi .....

[@RussellNollenMusic]

Thank you for sharing this! ❤

[@nickdarr7328]

Looking on IMDB and at reviews I was shocked. It said at least nominated for 4 Emmys but I think it said won 4 Emmys. I assumed any 90s miniseries would be awful be default. Damn. Now I have to spend over 3 hours watching it. This is why it's best sticking to preconceived notions and stereotypes. Life is simpler when I can rely on my stupidity

[@sandym8787]

LOL

[@violinoscar]

Why would you assume a 90s mini series would be awful? As a general rule the further back we go the better television gets.

[@nickdarr7328]

@@violinoscar well the production value and attempts at period language can be painful. As is including pointless love stories. And especially always having the woman become an expert archer or martial arts master. But you're probably right and that's more 2000s. Things like Spartacus and other Roman or medieval Europe things. Remember the history channel Hatfield and McCoys and Texas Rising about what happened after the Alamo? Those were great. Im probably being unfair

[@taroman7100]

Hey, I'm gonna use that!

[@angelahernandez819]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS MOVIE.

[@bougeac]

Certainly the most realistic depiction of Little Big Horn filmed so far. Not entirely accurate but light years from “they died with their boots on”…

[@ericjohnson8326]

Aaaahahaaaaa.I love your analogy. They died with their boots on. Hahahaha. I never saw it but I remember it being advertised & me & my college roommates kept laughing. It sounded so funny to us

[@ginomazzei1076]

“LITTLE BIG MAN” it will warp your little suburban brain

[@bougeac]

You’re the “little big man” throwing insults at people from the safety of your keyboard…

[@ginomazzei1076]

Hey Bougeac Those aren’t insults…Mr. Woke They’re a sign that you might follow. General Custard was known as Mr Genocide to the world beyond the American borders. Wake up for real.

[@TNT-km2eg]

Gino mozzarella First of all , he respected Indians . Second , who are you to talk about general Custer ? He's a Mr. to you and all other big mouth couch potatoes

[@TNT-km2eg]

Fine movie , relaxed pace , food for few days

[@JustMe-ke8nr]

If you enjoyed this movie do yourself a GREAT favor and read the book it's based upon. The author, Evan S. Connell, was not a historian, but a writer of fiction known for his quietly critical novels about the strangeness of living the American "dream". Because he was a novelist, "Son of the Morning Star" reads like one. Though different from Michael Sharras (sp?) "Killer Angel's" it is equally entertaining & stunning in the amount of research the author did to ensure accuracy. But it is Connel's pithy & ironic character studies & the way he eloquently dispels the mythology of greatness bestowed upon such flawed men that makes the book a masterpiece. Full of antics & side stories never told (many that failed to make it into this movie, too), anyone wanting to know the ENTIRE story should read it. You have never read history told this way! (P.S. this isn't an ad or paid endorsement! lol.)

[@MK-nd2ij]

I'll read it, thanks for the recommendation.

[@taroman7100]

They cared about it because the actors cast very much resembled the real people. The photographs in Connell's book have many photographs of the men of the 7th. Im especially impressed with the actor they found to play Grant. He's like a dead ringer.

[@theanimalguy7]

5:53 Aftermath of Little Bighorn 10:13 Introduction of Kate Bighead 12:22 Crazy Horse’s Dream 14:23 Fetterman Massacre 21:42 The Deserters 24:48 Custer leaves for his wife 27:21 Custer’s Court Martial 32:49 Crazy Horse is caught cheating 36:42 New treaty between whites and natives 43:07 Custer’s return 46:23 Sibling fight 49:46 Training the 7th Cavalry 55:48 Washita River Attack 1:03:10 Custer visits the natives 1:10:30 Exchanging prisoners 1:13:02 Red Cloud meets Grant 1:18:20 Black Hills Expedition of 1874 1:23:16 Crazy Horse visits his daughter’s grave 1:25:50 Crazy Horse murders ‘74ers 1:29:23 End of Part 1/Beginning of Part 2 1:33:38 Custer testifies about Belknat 1:39:42 Dance Scene 1:46:42 The 7th Cavalry leaves 1:54:05 Libby’s final goodbye 1:55:31 Life Outside the Reservation 2:03:26 Preparing for Little Bighorn 2:21:25 Battle of Little Bighorn 2:55:54 Libby recieves the news 2:58:25 Crazy Horse’s fate

[@awalterj]

If you enjoyed this mini-series - which was one of the most impactful films* of my youth - I highly recommend reading the book this series is based on by Evan S. Connell. It is a historical non-fiction masterpiece. *I use the term 'film' here in a loose sense • a way of referring to television series', movies, shows that had a strong impact on me.

[@JWH66]

I concur. I also enjoyed the book as well as the " film" .

[@loismoroney3193]

This is an excellent mini -series and a fine drama. It may not be historically accurate. Nobody is sure what really happened, but calvary is not u.s army and operated independently. The territories of Montana, the Dakota's, Wyoming were being targeted as foreign colonies by Great Britain and Germany. It was a time of confused loyalties for soldiers. Still, I love this drama. Great battle scenes. Excellent job.

[@hoppyandhisholidayhelpers1714]

this was great to watch. I paused halfway for an intermission, but the 3 hours breezed by. I think i saw this long ago, but I may be confusing my memories with "They Died with Their Boots On" or "Custer of the West" or some other battle of little bighorn movie. thanks for posting,

[@Rednick82]

While I fondly remember watching this film in the 90s when it aired, I have to say still, Custer had it coming, and he shouldn't be idolized as a fallen hero.

[@PauluzP]

Just like all the prairie niggas had it coming what they got.

[@roymcnicholas4825]

Fantastic mini series wish it was re released in hd or 4k

[@Truly1Tom]

@2:26hrs/min The belief that Custer was failed by Reno and Benteen was widely held by many because of the writings ✍ 😳 of Elizabeth Bacon 🥓 Custer and she defended her husband long after his demise. But the facts are that Custer turned down 2 companies of the 2nd Cavalry and 2 batteries of gattling guns. He divided his command sending Benteen on a snipe hunt to the southeast and Reno was overwhelmed. When he retreated across the Little Bighorn River he was horribly mauled losing 29 men in what they Lakota called "The Buffalo Hunt." Custer was ambushed and delayed at the crossing of the of the village he was going to try to ford. But his command turned back and were eliminated in detail by the Sioux and Cheyenne warriors as they overtook them on the bluffs. Benteen was right ✅ in his assertion that the regiment should have been kept together.

[@TTTT-oc4eb]

I think he turned down FOUR companies from the 2nd Cavalry. That was his biggest mistake. If Custer didn't want the 2nd Cavalry to "share the glory", he could at the very least have used them for guarding the pack train, thus freeing up around 100 soldiers from B company and a small number from the rest of the companies. The gatlings would probably have been more of a liability - until the Reno-Benteen siege.

[@falcon3268]

Custer was nothing more than a trophy hunter, he knew he had support coming up from the columns yet he wanted the glory for himself. He was unfit for the command as other books showed that he and his brother was screwing around the entire time in the final campaign.

[@michaelzann6485]

At least he should have kept Benteen

[@michaelzann6485]

@@falcon3268 Don't know if he was unfit or not.The 7th had just got done with occupation duty in the South. They were exhausted from force marching. There also was some malnutrition and lack of training with weapons and tactics. So perhaps it was a disaster waiting to happen. Glory hound? Perhaps ,but he did beat JEB Stuart at Gettysburg, another gloryhound.

[@jackshyt4]

Its well documented that the 2nd cavalry had condemned horses. Also the Gatling guns would not have been able to keep up with the campaign. In order to understand the complications you must first study about previous campaigns. The issue was not that they would end up in a big battle with the indians. the issue was that they wouldn't be able to keep up with them and that the indians would breakup their camps and run. Which they had done against Custer on several campaigns. Speed became one of the most important things. Your Wikipedia knowledge needs some independent research on the topic at hand.

[@yomama8873]

Watching again thank you 🤩🤩💖

[@waynelucier1678]

I wonder if Custer would ever have thought how his death would make him a legend