dpaterson-2 Most of the reviews at least acknowledge that this testoster-wrong self indulgence is historically a catastrophe. Not enough attention is paid to the way in which such films perpetuated the fascist US myths about indigenous people's struggles against imperial invaders and the myopic heroism of a phalanx of Custers, all forged in the lie factories of 1930's films. "But they knew so little about. . . !" No kidding.

Petri Pelkonen This movie tells the story of George Armstrong Custer, or mainly the myth of the man. We see his victorious battle in the American Civil War and his falling in love with Elizabeth "Libbie" Bacon". They Died with Their Boots On (1941) is directed by Raoul Walsh. It marks the eight and the last time Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland worked together. Mr. Flynn is just the right man to portray Custer. Ms. de Havilland is not only beautiful but has got all the talent to play Mrs. Custer. This great actress is still with us at 101, turning 102 next month. Her co-star from Gone with the Wind, Hattie McDaniel, gives a rather funny performance as Callie. Arthur Kennedy is terrific as Ned Sharp. Charley Grapewin is a lot of fun as California Joe. Anthony Quinn is superb as Crazy Horse. Sydney Greenstreet is magnificent as Lt. Gen. Winfield Scott. There's a lot of good in this movie. The portrayal of the Native Americans isn't as racist as it often is in these movies. The battle scenes are well done. And there's the chemistry between the main actors. It couldn't get much more romantic than Errol and Olivia kissing and sweet talking with each other. Even though this biography could be highly fictionalized, it is entertaining nonetheless.

Edgar Allan Pooh . . . hones in on the 19-year feud that almost caused America to lose A PAIR of Civil Wars. George Armstrong Custer of Monroe, MI, was promoted from 2nd lieutenant directly to brigadier general (over the objections of future war profiteer and Custer's one-time West Point classmate, Ned Sharp) on the eve of Gettysburg, just in time to save the Union by winning that clash virtually single-handed. (His pivotal command, "Ride, you Wolverines!!" is immortalized in the movie RED DAWN.) Following the end of the War, the Sharp Family--in league with a notoriously corrupt President Grant--conspired to completely annihilate EVERY Native American, as documented here in THEY DIED WITH THEIR BOOTS ON. Political reformer Custer made a pact with his Blood Brother Chief Crazy Horse that what is now known as western North and South Dakota would become the U.S. state of Black Hills, with two U.S. Senate seats and two chairs in the House of Representatives delegated by a Natives-only-vote electorate. Since these innovative ideas made Custer a leading candidate himself for U.S. President in 1876, the War Profiteers behind Lincoln's Assassination a few years earlier provided Winchester Rifles to some Renegade Braves (far superior to the weapons of Custer's 7th Cavalry Regiment), with a contract for a "hit" on the popular peacemaker known as "Longhair." Again, the racist and mercenary Sharp Family coordinated the Skullduggery, BOOTS illustrates. Thanks to their Winchesters, the Sharp pawns cut through Custer and his men like a kid spooning custard, though Custer had the foresight to save two-thirds of his command by posting them on his flanks. (Some of these details are included in Mr. Walsh's "Director's Cut.") With Custer out of the picture, the nefarious plotters rounded up and murdered Custer's allies, including Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and other prominent patsy chiefs. Their Reign of Terror culminated with the Wounded Knee Massacre, all in bogus "revenge" for the assassinated Wolverine President-in-Waiting. Black Hills never became the Native State. Instead, this sacred region--called "the place of the Gods' Teepees"--got defaced by Mount Rushmore.BOOTS is historically accurate down to its smallest, pains-taking details. For instance, George and Libby's hometown of Monroe is as far South as you can go in the Wolverine State, so naturally all the women there are dressed as Southern Belles and employ GONE WITH THE WIND-type mammies. Perhaps more importantly, BOOTS relates how "Garry Owen"--Michigan's official State Drinking Song--became the immortal marching tune of Custer's Seventh Cavalry. Unfortunately, it was all downhill for the Mitten State after Gen. Custer was rubbed out. Henry Ford hired gun-toting thugs to make sure that the workers on "his" car assembly lines could not talk to each other. Later Michigan Fords pardoned "I-Am-Not-a-Crook" Nixon, designed the Edsel Automofarce, and made the Lions an NFL laughing stock. Their crony Thomas Edison harnessed electricity and invented movies, so he could film a Selfie of him torturing the beloved Coney Island elephant Topsy to her fiery demise in ELECTROCUTING AN ELEPHANT (U.S. Library of Congress footage, 1903). Aviator Charles Lindbergh hobnobbed with the leader of the Third Reich, and Shrine of the Little Flower radio personality Father Charles Edward Coughlin was nick-named "Hitler's Priest." Fortunately for Michigan, its one true hero--George Armstrong Custer--is portrayed with Electrifying Elan and Acute Accuracy in Raoul Walsh's masterful film homage, THEY DIED WITH THEIR BOOTS ON. Though the remake--DANCES WITH WOLVES--later won a "Best Picture" Oscar, BOOTS should have taken the cake, as well.

dougdoepke Old Hollywood may have had its share of duds, but for sheer drama, spectacle, and romance, this 1941 cavalry epic is hard to beat. And that remains the case even in today's highly fictionalized digital age. Flynn never considered himself much of an actor. But here he proves otherwise. Dashingly handsome, tenderly romantic, and a compelling leader of men, he covers the bases in grand style. Heck, at West Point, he's not even very likable, but maybe the young Custer was just that arrogant. Sure, Hollywood's version of Custer takes more than a few liberties, shall we say, but at least it's not at the expense of the Indians. Fortunately, they're not demonized as was so often the custom. Instead, they fight for what is historically theirs, and on a moral footing equal to the white man. Also, it looks like Warner's hired about every extra in Hollywood for the climactic battle scene. Plus, that elegiac final scene between Custer and wife (DeHavilland) is unexpectedly sensitive and even moving. The petite actress remains a perfect counterpart to the virile Flynn, with her sweet-natured good looks and winning smile. And who better to put all these elements together in impressive style than old master Raoul Walsh. I don't know what Warner's paid him over the years, but I know it wasn't enough. Anyhow, this is Hollywood's so-called golden age hitting on all eight, even if it does memorialize grandiose fiction over mundane fact. Besides, who goes to movies for their factual content. I always thought that's what books are for.