Custer's Last Fight facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Custer's Last Fight |
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1925 re-release poster
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| Directed by | Francis Ford |
| Produced by | Thomas H. Ince |
| Written by | Richard V. Spencer |
| Starring | Francis Ford Grace Cunard |
| Cinematography | Ray Smallwood |
| Distributed by | Mutual Film |
| Release date(s) | October 4, 1912 (United States) |
| Running time | 2 reels (approximately 30 minutes) |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent English intertitles |
Custer's Last Fight is a 1912 American silent Western film. It's also known as Custer's Last Raid. This movie was a short film, meaning it was shorter than today's typical movies. It was the very first film ever made about George Armstrong Custer and his famous final battle, the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
The film was directed by Francis Ford, who was also the main actor playing Custer. Francis Ford was the older brother of another famous director, John Ford. This movie was filmed mostly at a place called "Inceville" in Pacific Palisades, California. This film was so popular that it was shown again in movie theaters in 1925 and 1933.
About the Movie
Custer's Last Fight is a very early example of a Western film. Back in 1912, movies were quite different from what we watch today. This film was a silent movie, which means there was no spoken dialogue. Instead, the story was told through music, sound effects, and "intertitles." Intertitles were text cards shown on screen that explained what was happening or what characters were saying.
The movie tells the story of George Armstrong Custer's last stand. Custer was a real person, a U.S. Army officer. The film shows his final battle against Native American warriors. This event is known as the Battle of the Little Bighorn. The movie was made to show this important historical event to audiences.
Filming in Inceville
The movie was filmed at a special place called Inceville. This was one of the first modern movie studios in the United States. It was created by a producer named Thomas H. Ince. Inceville was like a small town built just for making movies. It had sets, offices, and even places for actors and crew to live.
Filming at Inceville allowed the moviemakers to create realistic scenes. They could film outdoors in natural settings that looked like the American West. This helped bring the story of Custer's Last Fight to life for audiences.
Meet the Cast
The actors in Custer's Last Fight helped bring the historical figures to the screen. Here are some of the main actors and who they played:
- Francis Ford played George Armstrong Custer. He was not only the star but also the director of the film.
- Grace Cunard played Mrs. Custer, George Custer's wife.
- William Eagle Shirt played Sitting Bull. Sitting Bull was a very important leader of the Lakota Sioux people.
- J. Barney Sherry played James McLaughlin, an Indian agent.
- Art Acord played a Trooper, one of the soldiers.
- Other actors included Ann Little and Lillian Christy.
- Even a horse named Snowball was a part of the cast!
These actors helped tell a dramatic story from American history.
Images for kids
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1925 re-release poster
