Son of the Morning Star (1991) (TV)

Director:

Mike Robe

Writers (WGA):

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

Release Date:

3 February 1991 (USA)

Genre:

History | Western

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Historical | Sioux Wars | Ulysses Simpson Grant | Two Part TV Movie | Based On Novel

Awards:

Won 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 nominations

Cast

Gary Cole	...	George Armstrong Custer
Rosanna Arquette	...	Libby Custer
Stanley Anderson	...	Ulysses S. Grant
Edward Blatchford	...	Lt. Cooke
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

Runtime:

187 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:16 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Badlands National Park, Interior, South Dakota, USA

Company:

Preston Stephen Fischer Company

Trivia:

Originally, Kevin Costner was to have played George Armstrong Custer, and NBC-TV had a "Costner is Custer" advertising campaign all set to go. When Costner was delayed on a film project, Gary Cole stepped into the part.

Goofs:

Continuity: When major Marcus Reno begins the attack, he draws his revolver. Seconds after, he draws the revolver again.

Quotes:

George Armstrong Custer: [a doctor tends to the wounded deserters] Stay away from that wagon, doctor. I have no sympathy with those men. They will receive no aid. Is this clear?

Worthwhile

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