Son of the Morning Star (film)

Son of the Morning Star is a 1991 American two-part Western television miniseries adapted from Evan S. Connell's 1984 book of the same name. It dramatizes the historical events surrounding the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876, focusing on the complex and controversial figure of General George Armstrong Custer and the cultural clashes between the United States Army and the Plains Indians.

The miniseries explores Custer's career, his military strategies, his personality, and his relationships with his wife, Libbie, and his fellow officers. It also portrays the perspectives and experiences of the Native American tribes involved, particularly the Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne, highlighting their grievances against the US government and their resistance to forced relocation onto reservations.

Notable actors in the film include Gary Cole as George Armstrong Custer, Rosanna Arquette as Libbie Custer, and Rodney Grant as Crazy Horse. The miniseries attempts to present a balanced and nuanced portrayal of the historical events, depicting both the heroism and the brutality on both sides of the conflict.

Son of the Morning Star was originally broadcast on ABC. It received generally positive reviews for its historical accuracy (within the constraints of dramatic license), its scope, and its performances. The film is considered a significant contribution to the depiction of the American West and the Indian Wars in popular media. It is often praised for its attempt to humanize the Native American characters and provide a more critical perspective on Custer than some earlier portrayals.