They Died With Their Boots On

Excellent movie, Errol Flynn is great as General Custer, and with a romantic touch. I recommend it.

They Died With Their Boots On is a very good semi-biography about George Armstrong Custer. The movie follows him from his adventurous West Point days through his time in the Civil War and then as the leader of the heroic Seventh Cavalry. At some points, the story slows down a bit, but it is still an entertaining film. The action scenes are pretty good with the massacre at the Little Big Horn standing out as the best. Many of the things portrayed in the movie may not be the most accurate, but this does not take away from the story which flows along pretty well. However, the last 30 minutes do have a much darker tone as the Seventh Cavalry marches into glory.

Great movie.

Good old cowboy yarn but very inaccurate from the truth

Still one of my favorite Movies!!!

Classic Hollywood production even if not an accurate finale at Little Big Horn. Still one of my favourite westerns.

If the viewer can see beyond this films numerous historical inaccuries he will thoroughly enjoy himself. The wonderful performances of Errol Flynn as George Armstrong Custer and Olivia de Havilland as Custers loyal wife Libby Bacon, a strong supporting cast, superbly staged action sequences, the dynamic direction of Raoul Walsh and Max Steiners stirring score all combine to make They Died With Their Boots On a first-rate adventure film.

Decent acting by Flynn, de Havilland, McDaniel and Quinn, but otherwise it has a very inconsistent script and screenplay, that jumps all over the place with events that dont associate the historical dates, time lines or characters accurately. As much as this was supposed to shine Gen. George Custers legacy, to me it did just the opposite. In this film he contradicts himself several times, once after being promoted to Brigadier General, he tells the senior officers that an order is something to be obeyed and then he immediately disobeys one. Second when he discovers that the Queens butler has joined the 7th, he stated that he had haunted him since the bar incident in Monroe, MI when they sang Garry Owen; but later, he was clearly visible at Custers wedding as a part of the grooms party. Third, in a later scene he storms into President U.S. Grants office demanding he be given his regiment back. In an act of utmost disrespect to the commander-in-chief, he addresses the President of the U.S., as simply Grant, rather than Mr. President and speaks to him in an arrogant, insubordinate, condescending and contentious manner. Fourth and perhaps most important his promotion to Brigadier General was no accident, this is important because portraying the real circumstances behind his promotion (bravery) would have been better for what this film was trying to accomplish(Custer as gallant, heroic and sacrificing). Lastly, this was clearly an attempt to portray him as being sympathetic, if not an advocate of Native American causes and rights. One scene even suggest that he was willing to sacrifice his life (and did) and the 7th cavalrys, at the battle of the Little Big Horn because they knew they would lose, but did so anyway because it was right. You and I know this was not the case, they clearly believed they would win and was clearly purposed on annihilating the Natives. I agree with an earlier comment that this film could serve as food for thought on the plight of Native Americans, unfortunately George A. Custer was not that advocate and it does everyone a disservice when anyone tries to erase or re-write historical fact to accomplish any purpose, no matter how well intentioned it may be.

This is a typical Hollywood version of George Custers military life. However, Errol Flynn was perfectly cast for the role. I gave it two stars because it just ok.

I tried to watch it a second time and the screen spins and goes back to the previous screen! What good is it to buy when you only get to watch once!