Custer of the West: The Epic Saga of the Man Who Became a Legend
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Movie Reviews of Custer of the West: The Epic Saga of the Man Who Became a Legend
Movie Review: Custer of the West DVD Review
Summary: 4 Stars
Overall, this is an entertaining film with good acting and script. Unfortunately, the widescreen DVD is not enhanced for widescreen TVs. This is a film; those who want to study history, should refer to books.Movie Review: A different look at George Armstrong Custer
Summary: 3 Stars
Over the years, certain incidents from the Wild West have been dealt with over and over again in Hollywood; the gunfight at the OK Corral, the battle of the Alamo, and as in the case of Custer of the West, the life of George Armstrong Custer. Following the Civil War, General Phil Sheridan gives Custer a post in the west with the 7th Cavalry and orders to clean out the Indians no matter what. Upon arriving, Custer gets his regiment into fighting shape and unleashes attacks on the Cheyenne (no Sioux in this one). But as he fights the Indians, Custer begins to question what he's doing and why and for who even as he greedily seeks glory. Obviously not the best of the movies made about Custer, or the most historically accurate, but I felt there was enough here to recommend the movie. The locations in Almeria, Spain, where many spaghetti westerns were filmed, doesn't look like the American West, but is still great to look at. Also, there's plenty of action, including a unique look at the massacre at the Little Big Horn, and a good musical score from Bernardo Segall. So give this movie a chance, even if it's just to see a different take on the legend of George Armstrong Custer.
Throughout his short career that was cut short far too early, Robert Shaw tackled a wide variety of roles and here is no exception. The English actor plays Custer here and pulls it off pretty well. He's no Errol Flynn, but Shaw tries to explain some of the complexities of the character. He was egotistical and a glory seeker, but there's more to the man as Shaw shows. Mary Ure isn't given much to do as Libby, Custer's wife, but she is good in the few scenes she does have. Jeffrey Hunter and Ty Hardin play Capteen Benteen, the moralist who questions what the cavalry is doing, and Major Marcus Reno, the alcoholic second in command who hates Custer from the first time he meets him. Neither have a ton of screen time which is a shame because they're both good actors. Lawrence Tierney is good in a small part as General Phil Sheridan, Custer's commanding officer who is conflicted with what he has to do. Charles Stalmaker as the eager Lt. Howells, Kieron Moore as Chief Dull Knife (no Sitting Bull or Crazy Horse here), and Robert Hall as Sgt. Buckley also star. And in a great, if short, cameo, Robert Ryan plays Sgt. Paddy Mulligan, a 7th cavalry deserter who gets the itch for gold and tangles with Custer.
As for the DVD, MGM went "all out" once again. The widescreen presentation is good but not great and doesn't really take advantage of the Cinerama filming. I saw a good-looking version on Turner Classic Movies recently to compare the two. Special features are slim here as well so don't expect too much. Still, it's an entertaining movie with some interesting cast choices and a very different look at the career and death of George Armstrong Custer. Give Custer of the West a try!
Movie Review: MGM has gone BAD!
Summary: 3 Stars
MGM is releasing older films in widescreen (which is good )but not Enhanced For Widescreen T.V.'s ( Anamorphic )which is very bad.Along with "Custer Of The West" titles include "Follow That Dream", "The Magnificent Seven Ride!", "Shalako" and "A Minute To Pray, A Second To Die". There are sure to be others. Why is MGM doing this? The only reason I can think of is to save money. If no one buys these DVD's maybe it would get through to them that this is unacceptable. If you feel the same way as I do send MGM an email.Movie Review: MGM, please keep in touch with the times!
Summary: 3 Stars
It seems hardly acceptable that in 2004 some studios still release widescreen DVDs without 16:9 enhancement. Well, this is the flaw that will bring my rating down to 3 stars. Too bad, because this DVD is otherwise nice-looking. And - oh yes, in case you're wondering - don't let the inaccurate mention on the jacket fool you: the film is presented in its correct 70 mm 2,20:1 aspect ratio, not in 1,85:1. Please MGM, also double-check your jackets!Movie Review: Big on Action, Not So Much on Accuracy!
Summary: 3 Stars
This movie has lots of action and is spot on in regards to Custer's ego. However, the "Custer's Last Stand" is full of inaccuracies. All in all, it's a fun movie to watch. I especially enjoyed the scene when Custer assumed command and "whipped" the outfit into shape. Only he and the old Sargeant finished the drill. Great!