Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland

Bert Glennon, who shot Stagecoach and seven other John Ford classics, has given this Raoul Walsh biopic of George Armstrong Custer a burnished glow--an evocative interplay of raw sunlight and elegiac ...( read more  read more... )shadow like no other vintage Warner Bros. Western. Glennon's artistry and Walsh's trademark gusto sustain enthusiasm even as the screenplay beggars belief. The flamboyant Custer (Errol Flynn), rushed into Civil War service straight from West Point, did get promoted overnight to general and establish a spectacular record for "ride to the guns" leadership. However, Custer as defender of Indians' rights--to the point of willing his own Last Stand so he could accuse corrupt Indian Commissioners from the grave--is historical rewrite of such sweeping chutzpah as to shame DeMille. Flynn and Olivia de Havilland make an even more appealing couple than usual, and the big supporting cast is unflaggingly energetic above and beyond the call of duty. --Richard T. Jameson

Flixster Users

69% liked it

2,493 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

10 critics

Unrated, 140 min.

Directed by: Raoul Walsh

Release Date: January 1, 1942

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DVD Release Date: April 19, 2005

Stats: 118 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (118)


  • September 23, 2009
    I love this classic war film, even if it is a little inaccurate. At least they didn't totally rewrite history like most Disney/Mel Gibson films!
  • January 31, 2008
    Really interesting film based (loosely) on the life of George Armstrong Custer. It's certainly guilty of a little hero worship, but a whole lot of fun.

    Trivia Tidbit: Flynn and DeHavilland's last film together.
  • September 6, 2009
    The best of the Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn pairings, after the Adventures of Robin Hood of course. Great supporting cast, rousing, fun, romantic, action...it has it all. Flynn is, of course dashing and great. A classic.
  • July 26, 2009
    Not much do wih fact/history, but still fun to watch, including Anthony Quinn as Sitting Bull (?)
  • December 27, 2008
    One of the best Flynn movies I've seen!
  • October 29, 2008
    Historical hogwash, Errol is dashing and Olivia looks lovely but that's not enough for the overlong running time
  • September 30, 2008
    ........................
  • September 23, 2008
    Errol Flynn is hilarious,at least in the firs hour of the movie before it went totally western,he was like XIX century version of Mahoney from Police Academy
  • June 27, 2008
    Fantasy but Flynn makes it work!
  • June 20, 2008
    Just approach it as sheer fiction.

Critic Reviews


April 25, 2005
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine

Endures as one of the finest Flynn-de Havilland collaborations. full review

View more They Died with Their Boots On reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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They Died with Their Boots On Trivia


  • ***They Died With Their Boots On is About What***  Answer »
  • "They Died With Their Boots On" gives a (largely fictional) account of the exploits of George Armstrong Custer. Who played Custer's enemy, Crazy Horse?  Answer »
  • What famous general was "They Died With Their Boots On" about?   Answer »
  • What famous general was "They Died With Their Boots On" about?   Answer »

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