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Post by custerstillstands on Aug 1, 2005 8:21:57 GMT -6
I prefer Cole to Flynn, because it's a more accurate portrayal...
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Post by Tricia on Aug 1, 2005 9:31:01 GMT -6
Peter Horton, followed by Errol Flynn. The "Thirtysomething" guy was utterly convincing.
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Post by El Crab on Aug 1, 2005 11:27:58 GMT -6
Richard Mulligan, because he made me laugh. And was supposed to.
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Post by Keith Wamer on Aug 1, 2005 12:26:41 GMT -6
Gary Cole, the recent Into the West Custer reflected a politicaly correct, bleeding heart liberal version and a Litttle Big Horn that took about 1 minute with no Indian dead! How about scalping and mutiliations? Notice the wagon train massacre, no stripped bodies or mutilations even at the Fetterman Massacre which was also poorly portrayed. I would expect more from Steven Speildberg but with Russel Means starring we can't be too surprised at such a one sided view of the Indian Wars.
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Post by crzhrs on Aug 1, 2005 13:46:58 GMT -6
It depends . . . do we prefer the Custer of Custerphiles (Errol Flynn in all his flamboyance, honor, and stand up for what's right) or the lunatic Richard Mulligan of Custerphobes, (that goes the complete opposite) Maybe Gary Cole was the best in a realistic depiction.
For me . . . It's Errol Flynn, because of his style, looks, and tenderness with Libbie (Olivia De Havalon) . . . not necessarily realisitc portrayal or historically accurate depiction.
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Post by guidon7 on Aug 1, 2005 14:29:50 GMT -6
As a movie buff, I find it fascinating that the film industry cannot get the character of George Armstrong Custer right in spite of all the films dealing with him and in spite of all the experts on the subject called in for advice on these films. On the one hand, I would say that this was because he was an extremely complex individual (as we know), but on the other, the problem may just be the fact that "Hollywood is Hollywood" -- that strange crowd out there in Movieland.
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bhist
Full Member
Posts: 221
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Post by bhist on Aug 1, 2005 15:28:34 GMT -6
. . . not necessarily realisitc portrayal or historically accurate depiction. Actually, there was nothing accurate in "Died with Boots" which is a far cry from "not necessarily realistic..."
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Post by michigander1 on Aug 1, 2005 16:36:39 GMT -6
Is true, "They die with" has very few realistic corners, but, I think is also the movie that better catched the essence of Custer as a human being.
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bhist
Full Member
Posts: 221
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Post by bhist on Aug 1, 2005 21:57:31 GMT -6
Is true, "They die with" has very few realistic corners, but, I think is also the movie that better catched the essence of Custer as a human being. Far from it. So, did Custer eat raw onions? Did he try to save the Black Hills for the Indians? Flynn's Custer was nothing at all like Custer... the "essence" was completely fabricated.
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Post by elisabeth on Aug 2, 2005 4:27:53 GMT -6
I don't know, I thought 'They Died' was quite brave in its very early stages -- showing Custer's irresponsibility at West Point, and so on. Then it suddenly changed tack and switched into hagiography. (The war, perhaps?) Still, Flynn would have been precisely Custer's own choice of casting, I'm sure!
The Mulligan version is a glorious creation. Way OTT, and proud of it -- but oddly, although it's basically a cartoon, it does (accidentally?) catch one aspect of the real man: his tendency towards high-minded pomposity at times. One of his quite endearing qualities, I think!
Shaw, with a better script (none of that 'I am sympathetic towards deserters' nonsense, for a start!) could have been OK. Not as the 'real' Custer, but at least as a faintly credible one. He had life and spark, unlike poor Gary Cole, who made an honest enough job of it, but played the whole thing as if Custer had already read the ending; glumness personified.
Just my feeling, but I don't think we'll ever get a proper Custer until we get a proper Libbie! From Olivia DH, through Mary Ure, to Rosanna Arquette, she's always being portrayed as the weak and feeble 'little woman'. Put someone sparky and strong in the role, and it'd be interesting to see how the Custer portrayal might change ...
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Post by michigander1 on Aug 2, 2005 5:24:20 GMT -6
Also sprach zarathustra! Bhist, don't go into specific. And try to be less arrogant. I already said the movie had not historical truth. But it hit the Essence of Custer - (for the record: Black Hills no, he didn't tryed to save it, but he had great problems in 1867 with his superiors when tryed to explain them the majority of indians was peacefull. And got criticized when used diplomacy instead of War to treat with them) All depends on what is for you the essence of a man. I look at the essence of a man on what is his deep "aura". Not what he might eat. Like the scent of the flower. If Custer was a flower (of course this is just a metaphore), his scent was well captured by that movie. Regardless from the historical facts. This is something Robert Utley could understand too, and Bhist, from his answer, surely don't. As you totally misunderstood my answer. Last but not least, you can also answer with less arrogance
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Post by weir on Aug 2, 2005 6:40:47 GMT -6
3 people voted for Richard Mulligan. It gives me only one conclusion : some people on this board have no idea about the real Custer.
It is quite grave when you pretend to study LBH...
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Post by Leyton McLean CSA on Aug 2, 2005 9:03:18 GMT -6
West--
Gosh, this is supposed to be a fun discussion (at least I thought it was). The question posed who was the best Custer "actor" ever, not the most "accurate." Please, please find a sense of humour--something your hero had in abundance--or you'll have a stroke!
NOW ... THE ONION QUESTION. I have read a letter from GAC to LBC written in 1873 or 74, where he is on campaign, going on and on how he was presented a box of "RAW ONIONS," which he planned to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner, "ad nauseum and ad infinitum." It is a funny, funny letter--he's just needles her. Unfortunately, "TDWTBO" was wrong when it portrayed LBC as eatin' the things, too ... Custer apparently had to have his onion fun for when on the road.
The letter can be found in "Boots and Saddles," I believe. But I'll check to be certain.
Regards, Leyton McLean
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Post by michigander1 on Aug 2, 2005 9:16:39 GMT -6
You can found it also in Merington.
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Post by Tricia on Aug 2, 2005 9:28:29 GMT -6
I guess that means Custer ate raw onions, huh? But I'll agree with bhist that the entire Custer as "saviour of the Sioux' sacred Black Hills" was completely errant. As was the entire lead-up to LBH ...
But I did like Flynn. I just happen to think Horton captured Custer's hyperness, boyishness, and inherent excitability better.
Regards, LMC
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