SoTrumpBelieve Must See Movie...

Ceticultsot Beautiful, moving film.

Intcatinfo A Masterpiece!

Gary The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

phillewis-42679 I have visited the Little Bighorn Battlefield about half-a- dozen times and have read many of the books regarding this epic confrontation. Unfortunately I have also seen some of the Hollywood movies that, supposedly, depict the Last Stand either as part of a much larger story or intending to depict the fight as its entire plot. After seeing a few of these movies I have tended to avoid other attempts since none of those that I saw come close to telling the full story, as I understand it. So, after reading several positive reviews of "Son of the Morning Star", I decided to chance it! I'm so glad that I did! OK, it's not perfect but it is infinitely better than any other offering. Parts of it, I think, would be rather confusing if you didn't have reasonable knowledge of Custer's life between the civil war and his final battle. For example the fate of Major Elliot's detachment, at the Battle of Washita, was glossed over; yet this event created a deep resentment within the ranks of the 7th Cavalry which may have had a bearing on events at the Little BigHorn. It's difficult to know how much of the Washington background to include, much of it is essential to understanding Custer's behavior in the build-up to that Sunday in Montana. As another reviewer has stated, it would be great if Hollywood were to produce a movie which actually stuck to the facts, as opposed to a two part mini-series. If this were to happen then maybe all copies of that fiasco called "Custer of the West" could be incinerated! The Battle on The Little Bighorn is an important fight. The defeat of the 7th is the least of it! It also marks the start of the downfall of the Sioux and Northern Cheyenne. The army was not about to sit back and let the Indians get away with that victory! As such the Battle deserves a realistic attempt to portray it on the big screen. I thoroughly recommend it!

david david General Custer is one of the most controversial figures in American history. He is perceived by some to be an egotistical, murdering, glory hunting pariah but to others he is almost a saintly figure to whom history has been most unkind. The truth inevitably lies somewhere between the two. Custer was indeed egotistical and also very ambitious, but he most definitely was not a murderer. Custer was a man of his time, a professional 19th century soldier obliged to carry out the duties of his office. No matter what he personally (and a letter exists to prove that Custer was against an Indian war) felt about his orders. Son of the Morning Star makes the mistake many make when dealing with Custer. It places 20th century 'politically correct' sensibilities upon the events of his later years which distort the truth to an alarming degree. Custer did not 'murder' women and children at the Battle of Washita, evidence exists to prove that he did, in fact, prevent soldiers from such acts although many were killed before he could intervene. Custer did not 'leave some of his men to die' after the battle, he was forced to withdraw as a large army of Sioux approached his position and he was ill-equipped to deal with them. Custer was vigorous in his determination for Indian Agencies to supply the reservation tribes with the food etc that they were entitled to, risking his own career in the process. And finally, at the Little Big Horn, he did not go charging in without thought or rationale. He presumed (incorrectly) that the tribes were escaping and, after giving orders to his subordinates which they did not obey, went in pursuit. Unfortunately there were many more Indians to deal with than expected so he held a defensive position and waited for reinforcements which did not come, due to the failure of others. Consequently he and his men were annihilated. Custer was a complex man, something that this film attempts to touch upon but is let down by it's emphasis on debunking anythinhg positive to be said about him. it's about time someone made a 'real' film about Custer. One that portrays his fine record in the Civil War (he is still the youngest ever General in the US army) and how he was an inspiration to his men. How he displayed great tactical knowledge and extreme bravery under fire. People laugh at Errol Flynn's portrayal of 'Saint Custer' and indeed the latter stages of They Died With Their Boots On are laughable, but the depiction of Custer during the Civil War is (although heavily stylised) very accurate. The flamboyant uniform, the cry of 'ride you wolverines!', marching to Garry Owen - this stuff really happened. After the war Custer was given one tawdry job after another by the army. He disgraced himself on more than one occasion and was ultimately court martial-ed, but he performed his duty for his country and should be remembered for the role he played as a winner in the Civil War, not just as the loser at the Little Big Horn. Cinematically, the film is escellent, with good attention to detail and fine staging of the battle scenes. It's a shame it is flawed by a ha'porth of tarred scripting.

Graffiti Man As near as anything has yet got to a true and accurate reflection of the 1876 summer campaign; this film displays not only the history of the white push into Montana after Grant's "hostiles" and the final conflict on the Little Bighorn, but also explores the psychology and personalities of the important members of the 'Custer Story'. If one understands the mental reasoning, then one can have a better overall grasp of the history in a film which is largely liberated of possible romantic nonsense that movies in the past rated viable.Son of the Morning Star also, commendably and thankfully, explores the history, society and feelings of the native peoples. The film removes the tinted image of the Indians being brutal and thoughtless heathen savages, allowing an audience to build sympathies for a people who were being invaded and eradicates the idea that these were a dark and quiet race who would sell their own mothers. And about time too. If that is all that a viewer take from this film, then it has certainly achieved one of it's objectives.Not only is history, society and emotion addressed (the emotional angles are most effective, e.g. Custer's relationship with Libbie, the contrast of Crazy Horse and Custer etc-all very clever, potent and emotionally though provoking), but the filming locations are very good (I have been to the Little Bighorn and Reno's fighting ridge is an exact looking filming location as one could wish for) and the atmosphere created by minor details of dress, action (see Reno's hat in the battle) and background is wonderful.You want a Western? You want Son of the Morning Star.

phj-2 I actually just bought this movie(ebay) for a significant amount. Not because I really thought it was that good, but because I`m totally hung up on the history of native Americans, and especially obsessed with the battle of Little Big Horn. In that respect I was NOT disappointed by this movie.The climactic battle scene was actually very satisfying to me, because i was afraid it would a long wait for nothing. I was eager to see if they had managed to bring the great battle to a realistic scale (3000 thousand warriors, enormous Sioux camp). I was almost completely convinced. Both the choreography and the attention to historical details was flawless! All in all a must for "indians`/western fans" but also watchable for people interested in historical/war dramas. When that is said, this is after all a TV-production, and my review must be seen in that context. 7/10