They Died with Their Boots On
Historians marvel at George Armstrong Custer’s heroic image. All owed to the burnished biographies an adorning Libbie Custer commissioned after her husband’s death; but let Hollywood get hold of the story and you get a tragic end to a legendary hero.
The film opens with Custer’s (Flynn) undistinguished West Point career. He managed to achieve last in his class when civil war called him to service. He finds his way to the cavalry courtesy of Gen. Winfield Scott (according to the film). Later events attributed to Gen. Scott actually belong to Gen. Phillip Sheridan. Custer’s daring in battle, gains rapid promotion to Brigadier General.
He courts Libbie (de Haviland) and manages to win her hand after the war over her father’s objection. He grows bored with civilian life. Libbie persuades Gen. Scott to give him a regimental command. Custer is recommissioned Lt. Colonel and posted to the 7th cavalry in Dakota Territory. This is as far as history goes. The rest of the film is revisionist fiction.
Custer arrives at Fort Lincoln in time to shut down a crooked suttler running the trading-post, selling repeating rifles to the Lakota. He cleans up his regiment to the tune of Garryowen in time to do battle with Crazy Horse (Anthony Quinn). Custer and Crazy Horse make peace to protect the Black Hills, land sacred to the Lakota.
Meanwhile the suttler, with his trading–post business ruined and aided by a crooked Indian agent, spreads rumors of gold in the Black Hills. His aim is a gold rush and the customers that come with it. Outraged at the treaty violation, Custer gets himself relieved of command. He goes to Washington and presents his case to a congress less interested in treaties than gold. Custer takes his plea to fellow soldier, President Grant. Grant reinstates Custer.
Custer returns to Fort Abraham Lincoln to find the Black Hills overrun with illegal prospectors and Crazy Horse on the warpath. After an emotional farewell with Libbie, Custer and the gallant men of the 7th ride off to meet tragic fate that awaits.
My book, Grasshoppers in Summer, recounts the actual history. This film is a Hollywood hoot.
Next Week: The Ox-Bow Incident
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Ride easy,
Paul
The film opens with Custer’s (Flynn) undistinguished West Point career. He managed to achieve last in his class when civil war called him to service. He finds his way to the cavalry courtesy of Gen. Winfield Scott (according to the film). Later events attributed to Gen. Scott actually belong to Gen. Phillip Sheridan. Custer’s daring in battle, gains rapid promotion to Brigadier General.
He courts Libbie (de Haviland) and manages to win her hand after the war over her father’s objection. He grows bored with civilian life. Libbie persuades Gen. Scott to give him a regimental command. Custer is recommissioned Lt. Colonel and posted to the 7th cavalry in Dakota Territory. This is as far as history goes. The rest of the film is revisionist fiction.
Custer arrives at Fort Lincoln in time to shut down a crooked suttler running the trading-post, selling repeating rifles to the Lakota. He cleans up his regiment to the tune of Garryowen in time to do battle with Crazy Horse (Anthony Quinn). Custer and Crazy Horse make peace to protect the Black Hills, land sacred to the Lakota.
Meanwhile the suttler, with his trading–post business ruined and aided by a crooked Indian agent, spreads rumors of gold in the Black Hills. His aim is a gold rush and the customers that come with it. Outraged at the treaty violation, Custer gets himself relieved of command. He goes to Washington and presents his case to a congress less interested in treaties than gold. Custer takes his plea to fellow soldier, President Grant. Grant reinstates Custer.
Custer returns to Fort Abraham Lincoln to find the Black Hills overrun with illegal prospectors and Crazy Horse on the warpath. After an emotional farewell with Libbie, Custer and the gallant men of the 7th ride off to meet tragic fate that awaits.
My book, Grasshoppers in Summer, recounts the actual history. This film is a Hollywood hoot.
Next Week: The Ox-Bow Incident
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
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