Son of the Morning Star (TV 1991)

The story of George Custer, Crazy Horse and the events prior to the battle of the Little Bighorn, told from the different perspectives of two women.

Director:

Mike Robe

Writers:

Evan S. Connell (book), Melissa Mathison (teleplay)

Stars:

Gary Cole, Rosanna Arquette, Stanley Anderson

Won 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gary Cole	...	George Armstrong Custer
Rosanna Arquette	...	Libby Custer
Stanley Anderson	...	Ulysses S. Grant
Edward Blatchford	...	Lt. Cooke (as Ed Blatchford)
George Dickerson	...	Gen. Sherman
Rodney A. Grant	...	Crazy Horse
Tom O'Brien	...	Charlie Reynolds
Terry O'Quinn	...	Gen. Alfred Terry
Nick Ramus	...	Red Cloud
Tim Ransom	...	Tom Custer
Robert Schenkkan	...	Capt. Weir
David Strathairn	...	Capt. William F. Benteen
Buffy Sainte-Marie	...	Kate Bighead (voice)
Dean Stockwell	...	Gen. Philip Sheridan
Bryce Chamberlain	...	Parsons

Storyline

The life of George Armstrong Custer comes alive in this made for television movie.

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Plot Keywords:

crazy horse | native american | sioux wars | political corruption | gold miner | 

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Taglines:

Two great warriors. One final confrontation. The last great battle for the American Frontier.

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Genres:

History | Western

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 February 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Aamutähden poika

Filming Locations:

Badlands National Park, Interior, South Dakota, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Preston Stephen Fischer Company, Republic Television, The Mount Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

187 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The low ratings this mini-series garnered during its initial 1991 broadcast had ABC executives re-think and eventually pull the plug on the Civil War epic "The Killer Angels", which they planned to produce and air. This decision led to Ted Turner picking up the project, renaming it Gettysburg, and releasing it in theaters.

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Goofs

Some 7th Cavalry troopers are shown with hairstyles from the late 1980s or early 1990s.

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Quotes

Libby Custer: Let me know what the women are wearing.
George Armstrong Custer: I'll study them carefully.
Libby Custer: Don't you dare.

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Connections

Featured in Legends of the West (1992)

User Reviews

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

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.