Son of the Morning Star on AllMovie

The Evan S. O'Connell bestseller Son of the Morning Star was transferred to the TV screen in an epic two-part, four-hour version, first telecast February 3 and 4, 1991. Related in flashback by Native American Kate Bighead (a raspy-voiced Buffy St. Marie), the film recounts the myriad of events leading to the battle of the Little Big Horn. We first meet George Armstrong Custer (Gary Cole) as an arrogant 27 year old officer, who in 1866 is put in charge of the godforsaken 7th Cavalry on the Great Plains. Part One details Custer's martinet attempts to whip the 7th into shape, which results in his court martial and suspension--but eventually yields success. Custer's earliest encounters with Indians are peaceful; according to this account, he respects the Indians and wants to study their lifestyle. Gary Cole plays Custer, with Rosanna Arquette as his wife Libby. Part One of Son of the Morning Star moves in a lumpy, disorganized fashion; Part Two rectifies these faults (see entry 129099).