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The late Sixties television version of George A. Custer
"The Legend of Custer" is an expanded "movie" version of the pilot for the television series "Custer," which ran on ABC in the fall of 1967 and was certainly one of the more interesting instantiations of the life of George Armstrong Custer. More than any other figure of the Old West, Custer's story has been reshaped to fit the times as well as the rise and fall of his reputation. Consequently, Wayne Maunder plays a Custer who cannot help but be seen light of the late sixties with his long blonde hair making him look like a hippie but his battles with the Indians serving symbolizing the War in Vietnam. The series was based on Custer's military career on the plains between 1868 and 1875 (i.e., the year before the Battle of the Little Big Horn), when Custer was in command of the 7th Cavalry out of Fort Hays, Kansas. Of course, the show begins with how Custer whipped a bunch of criminals and ex-Confederates into crack troops. Custer is helped by good old California Joe Milner (Slim Pickens), an old army scout, Captain Miles Keogh (Grant Woods), a shrewd Irishman, and Sgt. James Bustard (Peter Palmer), a hulking man who keeps order in the ranks. Showing up to complain about Custer's unorthodox tactics is Brig. General Alfred Terry (Robert F. Simon), who also wants Custer to get a haircut. Meanwhile, Custer's fate is kept in mind with his encounters with Crazy Horse (Michael Dante). "The Legend of Custer" is an action western; so do not confuse it with representing history even though Custer, Keogh, Terry and Crazy Horse were all real people. Although the series does get points for being accurate on Dandy being Custer's horse during those early days at Fort Hays. Maunder is a rather un-charismatic Custer, but he can obviously hold his own in a fist-fight. The show only ran 13 episodes but another such movie, "Crazy Horse and Custer," was culled from it as well. An average western at best, "Custer" is worth checking out simply because it is one of the last positive portrayals of the man before "Little Big Man," "Don't Touch the White Woman," and "The Trial of George Armstrong Custer."

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Pilot episode to T.V. series
This was the pilot for this ill-fated 17-episode television series about this fascinating American hero beautifully portrayed by the top actor, Wayne Maunder.
It is a must have for your history library.
While it does take liberties with history, as Hollywood always does, it is still a very well made and exciting western series.
The only reason it was canceled was the bad timing of coming out as the Vietnam war grew. Public opinion against the war turned against this military series.
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