The Perfect Custer/LBH Movie Would ...

[Tricia]

All--

A relatively easy question. What's your dream scenario for a Custer-related, LBH movie? How about of other folks in the story: Keogh, de Rudio, TWC? Are there elements of past films/television shows that could be magically edited and brought together in one fell swoop? And it doesn't have to be fiction: the dream documentary, maybe.

For example, take "Class of '62." Now that's a different look at GAC ... because it occurs before he became GAC, but the viewer the entire time knows he's gonna die in a tragic way. Can there be another look at him outside of the *legend*? Is it possible?

Say ... a story related by Libbie in her last days? A mystery story--based on Sally Hemmings' relatives' ordeal--where the descendants of a Native American woman try to press their case for inclusion in the Custer family, facing the possible wrath of Custer groups?

I've just tossed stuff out there. The rest is up to you!
Leyton McLean

[Jim]

Leyton,

It sounds like you want a movie like Titanic, with a BUNCH of flashbacks!!! Sounds good to me!

Jim

[Treasuredude]

This is a few beers talking...

A 3 hour, R rated, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN type of movie. Have at least 5 noted historians insisting on accuracy. Maybe a quick 10 - 15 minutes at the beginning setting it up. Then follow the 7th out of Lincoln on their way to LBH. Donate at least 2 hours to the battle and aftermath. Raw and bloody. Just like it really was. Surround sound and loud as Hell.

No political correctness. Just the facts as they are known.

That's asking too much, isn't it?

[Tricia]

Gentlemen:

Of course, the sky's the limit, budget-wise! I think you've got a great idea, TD. I had an idea as well--as sort of a way to add more authenticity, I hope. Perhaps the director NOT include subtitles with the NA scouts' (kind of stealing this from Mel Gibson's original plan for the Aramaic in The Passion ...) dialogue, leaving the translation to the actual characters who served in that role to the Seventh. It might give one a clue of how difficult it was to communicate effectively with the some of the men serving under Custer and might add to your realistic portrayal of the summer campaign.

But yeah, it must stick to the history and not be an agenda-setter (well, apart from starting that new trend of portraying history as it really unfolded). It must be rough and tough, raw and difficult to watch.

Great idea! Anyone else?

[El Crab]

Either using CGI or building a set identical to the original topography. I want to see it on the land it was fought on. And I've always thought it would be interesting, maybe not in a Custer movie but any movie with the Indian point of view included, have the Indians speak English and the soldiers/whites speak the Indian language, without subtitles.