Son of the Morning Star - Movie

[moonbat60]

Hey guys,

I was finally able to get a hold of a copy of the movie " Son of the Morning Star" ( USA 1991) starring Gary Cole as Gen. Custer, Rosanna Arquette as Libby Custer etc.

It is a very well made movie about the events leading to the battle at the Little Bighorn, Montana, otherwise known as Custer's Last Stand on June 25 - 26,
1876.

It also tells the story of the faulty and deceptive ways of the US Gov't dealing with the Native Americans and the story of the 7th Cavalry.

The movie is kind of long, about 3 hours, but every bit worth it.


If you can get your hands on a copy, buy it.




moonbat60

[NEWFNL1A1]

I remember this movie! I have a copy on DVD somewhere that I recorded off Encore Westerns several years ago....not a bad western...really looks at things from a different angle than the usual Custer movie.

[Dirt1042]

They filmed a lot of that movie in my hometown. I have a few friends in it. Far and Away was also filmed here and I know a few people in that movie as well.

They just wrapped filming a movie called "Nebraska" last week here. I guess we are Hollyweird's little secret movie set or something.

[0302]

The book was very good, Custer was very well known among the Indians, having a few girlfriends & such. There quite a few Navajos around named Custer, and some Rosenbergs too.

[moonbat60]

After watching this movie for another time, it seems to me that Custer was sold down the river by the generals in Washington, and the nail to his coffin were Captain Benteen and Major Reno.

[Dirt1042]

Originally Posted by moonbat60

After watching this movie for another time, it seems to me that Custer was sold down the river by the generals in Washington, and the nail to his coffin were Captain Benteen and Major Reno.

Some of that is true..... Most of it was the bravado of Custer that was his undoing. HE was very good at fighting Indians, but under estimated what kind of camp that was there. The size of that camp was unheard of at the time. He also was a glory hound and wanted the prestige again. He turned down gatling guns and many more men. He also didn't want to wait for reinforcements and lose the glory.

[L Haney]

See #9.

[moonbat60]

Well,

in 1877 Custer was already dead, wasn't he ?

[0302]

Custer probably would've been president with a big victory. He was brave, and bold, just got whacked. Chester's defeat was peanuts compared to st Clair's defeat.

St. Clair's Defeat also known as the Battle of the Wabash, or the Battle of a Thousand Slain, was fought on November 4, 1791 in the Northwest Territory between the United States and the Western Confederacy of American Indians, as part of the Northwest Indian War. It was a major American Indian victory and remains the greatest defeat of the United States Army by American Indians.

The American Indians were led by Little Turtle of the Miamis, Blue Jacket of the Shawnees and Buckongahelas of the Delawares (Lenape). The war party numbered more than one thousand warriors, including a large number of Potawatomis from eastern Michigan and the Saint Joseph. The opposing force of about 1,000 Americans was led by General Arthur St. Clair, who had proved to be an able commander during the American Revolutionary War. The American Indian confederacy was overwhelmingly victorious. In proportional terms of losses to strength, it was the worst defeat that United States forces have ever suffered in battle—of the 1,000 officers and men that St. Clair led into battle, only 48 escaped unharmed.

Now that's what I call an ass whippin.

[Bwana John]

Now that's what I call an ass whippin.

Isandlwana, South Africa, 1879, 3 years after Custers defeat, another asswoopin by native indigenous troops (20,000 Zulus) thought to be inferior to regulars.

After running 50 miles the night before (barefoot) the Zulus armed with short spears and cowhide shields closed with the Imperial British forces and massacred 1,300 of the 1,800 troops present.

[Dirt1042]

Doubt he would have been president. Custer was not very well liked by other officers and had the demotions to prove it. Think of a dumber Patton type of guy.

[DK]

I just don't like Gary Cole.

Don't know why, just never have.

Carry on.


DK

[Texas Jaguar]

Custer is said to have been seeking the nomination of the Democratic party for the office of Vice President. A victory over the Sioux, or any other tribe for that matter, would have served him well in his quest for the office.

Custer had served with Phil Sheridan during the war. Sheridan recognized Custer to be foolhardy at times but recognized he was a competant subordinate and an excellant leader of men. Sheridan was in command of the department of the Missouri at the time and was anxious to put his famous quote of "The only good Indian is a dead Indian" into effect.

Sheridan assisted following Custers AWOL debacle in 1867 when Custer, more or less, deserted his post to go and visit his wife. Sheridan was able to shorten Custers sentence of a years suspension and regain part of the rank he had lost.

Custer had several lapses of good judgement during his last campaign. He ignored or at least discounted the intellegencce reports provided by his Indian and white scouts. His most troubling and ultimately fatal error was dividing his command into not two but three seperate columns. This maneuver would have served well to cut off and destroy fleeing indians. Instead it allowed the overpowering number of braves the opportunity to meet and crush each of the seperate cavalry elements.

The only saving grace of Reno and Benteens columns was the presence of high ground that was defensible by their diminished commands. Without that fortunate geographical feature the entire 7th cavalary may well have been wiped out.