They Died With Their Boots On

Great movie.

ONE OF THE BEST FILMS OF ALL TIME.

I saw this film for the first time many years ago - and certainly more than I now wish to count. But for me its still a gripping production that I have once again greatly enjoyed.

No one doubts that THEY DIED WITH THEIR BOOTS ON with Errol Flynn is a terrific film. It is the last movie that Flynn shares with Olivia de Havilland, and their chemistry shared over a long film marriage is touching and palpable. Flynns interpretation was to play Custer as a western version of his own hell-raising self, and he dominates each scene in which he appears. He is alternately heroic, funny, sarcastic, haughty, and sacriligious. His co-stars very capably allow Flynn to bounce off them. Against Crazy Horse (Anthony Quinn), Flynn is solemn and candid. Against General Winfield Scott (Sidney Greenstreet), he is properly subservient. Against his Indian hating subordinate officer played by Arthur Kennedy, he is full of righteous fury. The climactic battle at the Little Big Horn is a paean to self-sacrifice and honor. The film does not go wrong internally. Its fault, if one can call it that, is that it bears no relation to historical truth. Every major incident in the film from Custers days in West Point, to his conduct under battle, to his relationship to his wife, and to his role in the annihilation of him and his troopers at the Little Big Horn are either grossly exaggerated or outrageous lies. Especially disturbing is the movies suggestion that Custer sacrificed the lives of the men under his command as a means of political expedience. The literal truth was Custer and all his 7th Cavalry were slaughtered only because of his obstinancy in not believing the reports of his Indian guides.

Thought it would be in color.

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.

My husband loved this movie and was so surprised and pleased to get it. The price was great and the service was, as usual, exceptional.

Nice to see Errol riding again even in black & white. Brings back memories of childhood... Great film

excellent

This movie has been discussed to death and there is little to add. Id like to comment on those suffering from a sickness called hate Americans, love Indians. Custer was a professional soldier and a patriot. Those who think that he hated Indians should read his book My LIfe on the Plains. It is very suprising that he didnt hate Indians. Mrs. Custer used to hear stories of white women who survived Indian attacks and tell him about it. These attacks didnt consist of group therapy. The plains Indians were extremely sadistic. They attacked isolated settlements, killed and mutilated the men, gang rape the women after torturing them, then enslave them and sold some as whores to other tribes. I would like to see some of the Indian lovers, who probably never had to fight for their lives, maintain their sanity after hearing horror stories like these as Custer did. Custer was a true American hero, and although played by an Australian (Flynn), this movie will remain one of the best patriotic movies coming out of Hollywood.