Custer's Last Fight (Silent)

One of the bloodiest battles in American history is recreated in this long-lost silent epic! Custer's Last Fight is the first film to tell the story of General George Custer and the Battle of Little Bighorn. A cast of hundreds was utilized, including real Native Americans pulled from Sioux reservations. It was first released in 1912 in a 30-minute version as Custer's Last Raid. In 1925, to celebrate the upcoming 50th anniversary of Little Bighorn, the film was reissued and expanded to feature length. This was accomplished by creating new intertitles and lengthening the battle sequences. The film was directed by Francis Ford, who also stars as Custer. Ford was the brother of legendary filmmaker John Ford, and acted in several of his brother's movies, including Young Mr. Lincoln (1939) and The Quiet Man (1952). A unique piece of early cinematic history, Custer's Last Fight is important to the development of both the Western and the historical drama.

BONUS: The Driver of the Deadwood Coach(1912):A young boy foils outlaw "Bad Bill" from stealing a gold shipment in this classic Western short.

• silent