Custer Of The West (1967)

Directed by Robert Siodmak and starring Robert Shaw as General George Armstrong Custer, Custer of the West is a sprawling, revisionist Western that attempts to reframe the controversial military figure as a tragic antihero. With a runtime of 141 minutes, the film blends action, political drama, and moral ambiguity—though not without criticism for its historical liberties.

Plot Summary
The film follows General Custer after the Civil War, as he’s assigned to command the 7th Cavalry in the Dakota Territory. Disillusioned by corrupt government policies and broken treaties with Native Americans, Custer tries to uphold justice while navigating political pressure and personal demons. His confrontations with Chief Dull Knife (Kieron Moore), clashes with Washington bureaucrats, and deteriorating relationships culminate in the infamous Battle of the Little Bighorn, portrayed as a noble but doomed stand.

Cast Highlights

• Robert Shaw as Gen. George Armstrong Custer
• Mary Ure as Elizabeth Custer
• Jeffrey Hunter as Capt. Frederick Benteen
• Ty Hardin as Maj. Marcus Reno
• Robert Ryan as Sgt. Mulligan (cameo)
• Lawrence Tierney, Marc Lawrence, and Kieron Moore in supporting roles

Behind-the-Scenes Trivia

• Originally, Akira Kurosawa was considered to direct, but he withdrew from the project
• Robert Shaw earned $350,000 for his role, while his wife Mary Ure received only $50,000
• Robert Ryan filmed his cameo for free while vacationing in Florence, as a favor to producer Philip Yordan
• The flume ride sequence was filmed in Sweden, not Canada, due to budget constraints
• Though Custer was of German descent, Shaw used an Irish accent, which critics found jarring
• The film was shot entirely in Spain, despite being set in the American West