Son of The Morning Star

"Son of the Morning Star" is the 1991 made-for-cable film starring Gary Cole as the arrogant and flamboyant General Custer, fresh from his victories during the Civil War and now sent West to subdue the Plains Indians in the bid for western expansion by a growing United States. Custer is idolized by the American public, but often despised by his own men, particularly Captain Will Benteen, who sees Custer as a egotistical fop more concerned with his own glory than with his own mens' lives.

Custer and the 7th Cavalry are sent west to force the Cheyenne and Lakota Sioux onto reservations, thus opening up their homelands to prospectors and settlement. The Indians however, fight back. Following his bloody "victory" at the Wachita River and numerous other exploits, Custer is sent by President Grant to pacifiy the Black Hills Region of the Dakotas, and to crush the growing Indian resistance there. This proves to be his last campaign, leading to his reckless bid for glory and fame at the Little Big Horn where thousands of Sioux and Cheyenne warriors lead by Crazy Horse annihilate Custer and the 7th Cavalry.

Though a great victory for the Indians, as so many times in the past, even this stunning achievement only strengthens the Army's resolve and would lead to the end of the Indians way of life. Custer has been romanticized as an American hero by some and decried as a murdering villain by others. The man and the battle continue to haunt us and this excellent retelling of a momentous event in the history of the west is well done and well worth watching.


Let Morningstar Shine on DVD   November 17, 2005
Larry (Wenonah, NJ USA)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

I haven't seen this in years but remember it being stellar. I agree wholeheartedly with Gerhard above -- release this on DVD format.


Compelling & Historically Accurate as Hollywood Can get   June 29, 2000
James Riddle (Millbrae, CA USA)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

Son of The Morning Star is an anomoly in Hollywoods treatment of historical material: It is 90% historically accurate. Custer is depicted ( a great Gary Cole ) as the half mad / half sane egocentric individual he was according to historians. This is no heroic crock like 'They Died With Their Boots On' or cartoon Custer depiction like 'Little Big Man'.

Striking perhaps most of all is the shown banality of genocide and it's seeming normalcy. Just like real life.

The film has the feel and psychlogical under current of a Documentry film. James Riddle


Release this to DVD now!!!!   February 27, 2004
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

A very well done production even though two of the main characters were miscast.
One of the best Custer films made but with many inaccuracies and typical Hollywood foul-ups.
But still, very entertaining.
This needs to be released onto DVD uncut and with the making of the movie A.S.A.P.


If you liked the mini series, you'll enjoy this!   October 8, 2002
The Giant Skunk (Washington, DC)
8 out of 11 found this review helpful

Excellent, thoughtful music. If you enjoyed the mini series as much as I did, you will certainly enjoy the memories the soundtrack brings to mind. My only carp, No Garry Owen! I wish the mini-series were on DVD!