They Died With Their Boots On

For private use this is one of the better films that you will need to watch good from start to finish

This film is a glorification of George and Elizabeth Custer. Of course, some elements of accuracy are tossed into this Raoul Walshs adventurous waltz.

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.

It came faster than I expected, and they are great. I cant say much more about this one except I love it.

well done, great old flick

La mejor pelicula, realizada, sobre la vida del General Custer.

This went down well and I was forgiven for forgetting fathers day lol. So always a winner in my book. Arrived promplty and in good condition so cannot ask for more than that.

There is no question that this movie is plagued with historical inaccuracies, but it is nevertheless an entertaining motion picture. One point that I believe is spot on is the amount of time it took for Custers defeat to unfold. The last stand battle scenes were over in minutes, and recent archeaology of the Battle field as well as native accounts suggest that is the way it happened. It was not a protracted event. It is also interesting that none of Custers brothers (Tom and Boston) or his not-so-loyal captains (Benteen and Reno) were mentioned. One could go on and on about way the film deviated from history, but if one looks at it as a romantic film set on the western frontier, which by the way was not filmed on location in Montana, it is good fun.

My husband, sons and myself enjoyed this movie, although Im a bit embarrassed to say that I found myself saying Wow--I didnt know it happened that way! (it didnt). My only complaint is that, whereas I usually enjoy colorized movies, I found the colorization of this movie to be a bit distracting. Colors often bled into areas where they didnt belong. In one main character the face was skin colored, but the facial scruffiness was in black and white (although not completely consistently). I understand why this version of the movie has not been made into a DVD. The colorization quality is too poor.

Errol Flynn and Olivia De Havilland once again show they are great actors.