Custer

Fully disagree with the bad reviews. This show was ahead of its time and was canceled (for the at the time) violence shown. The casting was good and with the great guest stars was not second rate. The show lacked historical accuracy (but not authenticity). The show was canceled not because of ratings but the studio concerns over the so called violent combat shown. I have all 16 episodes and the pilot and this show was underrated as was the other "Monroes" western at the time. Highly recommend for Western fans and for those who can appreciate the production values of the time (60's). Check out the episode featuring "Kirby" from Combat. Intense acting and well scripted drama. Maunder actually plays a smart and responsible Custer and not the foolhardy Custer of real life.

The Winchester rifle with the "half" magazine carried by the bad Indian agent in the premiere episode, "Sabers In The Sun," is the same one used by Paul Newman in HOMBRE.

"Custer" lasted 16 episodes, and that's 16 episodes too many. I can't find any reason why a network would have picked poorly-written junk like this up to broadcast. The western story lines the writers used were tired and worn in the 50's, and by the late 60's were just plain ludicrous. "Star Trek" had debuted the year before, and this left-over relic from the early days of TV had no chance. To write a series around a character that everyone in the audience knows will be massacred a year or two later is startling and morbid, to say the least. It gives the series an air of doom that I don't think the network intended.

Wayne Maunder plays the title role, and while he was good 4 years later in "The Seven Minutes," he must still have been learning his craft because he's just plain bad as Custer. He resembles a young Errol Flynn more than Custer as he minces and leaps about, and does not have the air of command necessary for someone playing Custer. Tinkerbelle maybe, but not Custer.

Slim Pickens co-stars as the requisite wild west trail boss/guide, named "California Joe" (good grief!), and was obviously cast to add verbal witticisms and old west humor to the show. It doesn't help one bit.

This series had a stellar guest cast in those 16 episodes: James Whitmore, Agnes Moorehead, William Windom, James Daly, Robert Loggia, Kathleen Nolan, Ray Walston, Darren McGavin, Lloyd Bochner and many more. Even great talent like that couldn't save this series, which should have been battle-axed before it ever hit the air.

This review is based on the "theatrical" version of the series pilot.

"Awful" is about the kindest thing I can say. "Custer" shows the general disrespect (I'll avoid the obvious pun) of the TV networks for their audience. The idea that a TV drama aimed at a mass audience //might// be historically accurate and subtle was beyond their conception. The truth of Custer's life is a far-more interesting story than the fictions concocted here for the purpose of simple-minded story telling and the need to strip episodes in syndication.

In terms of historical accuracy, even if the viewers didn't know that Custer and Crazy Horse didn't have the convenient meeting portrayed here, they should be able to figure out that it's all too glib to be believable. Of course, Custer is portrayed as rash and self-centered, under constant criticism -- though one has to believe there must have been some palpable arrogance we don't see here.

Myles Keogh was an Irish soldier greatly respected during his life, and is still well-remembered in his homeland. He had the good sense to buy a $10,000 insurance policy not long before he was killed at the Little Big Horn. Other than Major Terry, everyone else is likely fictional.

Wayne Maunder is wiry and well-built, and his snug trousers show off his body to good effect (especially in fight scenes). But his looks are more "Hollywood handsome" than the rough manliness of the historic Custer.

The acting and directing are loud 'n noisy, as befits a cheaply made * TV series that would be viewed on small-screen TVs. The music is equally bad, a compilation of mindless action-movie clichés.

It's unfortunate Republic hasn't transferred "Son of the Morning Star" to DVD. (There are at least two pirated versions, one of them copied from the LaserDisc set.)

* I mean cheap in the sense of "turning out a product", rather than trying to create something of lasting value.

I have got the DVD of Custer & very gorgeous Wayne Maunder was the the very best man for the job & I have played 3 discs so far, as far as I am concerned he was an excellent actor along with the rest of the cast, I will be playing disc 4 very soon this week.