Son of the Morning Star (1991)
Director:
Mike Robe
Writers:
Evan S. Connell (book), Melissa Mathison (teleplay)Stars:
Gary Cole, Rosanna Arquette, Stanley Anderson
Tthe sweeping TV adaptation of Evan S. O'Connell's novel stars Gary Cole as George Armstrong Custer, leader of the 7th Cavalry of the Great Plains in the early 1870s. Custer's efforts to maintain peace with the surrounding Native Americans are doomed to failure due to his own arrogance and miscalculations. The Indians reluctantly marshal themselves for war when the white man's lust for gold results in broken treaties and ravaged lands. Part Two culminates in a spectacular (and fairly accurate) recreation of the Battle of the Little Big Horn, pitting Custer against another headstrong tactician, Chief Crazy Horse (Rodney Grant). Son of the Morning Star is narrated by Buffy St. Marie, attempting--with moderate success--an "old lady" characterization. Side Note: Kevin Costner was offered the role of Custer in Son of the Morning Star, but turned it down to concentrate on his own Native American epic--a little diversion called Dance With Wolves (which also featured Rodney Grant).
