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

Tagline:

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

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Sioux Wars | Ulysses Simpson Grant | American Indian | Native American | Two Part TV Movie

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:

Gary Cole often cites his role as General Custer as one of his favorites, as well as the set being one of the more enjoyable he's been on - especially being able to horseback ride so much.

Goofs:

Factual errors: While in a tent on the plains with his wife Libby, Custer complains to her that he is 'only a colonel'. In fact, Custer was a lieutenant colonel (LC) at the time, and should have used that complete rank title in this conversation. Although the one word 'colonel' may be used informally to denote an LC, in this case Custer's complaint was specifically directed at his actual rank, so he should have used its full title. (Incidentally, Custer had reached the temporary rank of major general during the Civil War. But like many general officers of that conflict, he reverted to a lower permanent rank after the war ended. It is out of respect for his former higher rank that several fellow 7th Cavalry troopers in the movie address him as 'general').

Quotes:

Capt. Weir: [Weir and Benteen discover the remains of Custer's annihilated cavalry at the Little Bighorn] Oh, how white they look.
Capt. William F. Benteen: There he is. Damn him. Ah, he'll never fight anymore.

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.