General Custer at the Little Big Horn (Silent) (DVD)

One of the bloodiest battles in American history is brought to life in this rarely-seen silent blockbuster. Over 3,000 extras were employed to recreate General George Custer's last stand against the Indian forces led by Crazy Horse. Chosen to star in this mammoth production was Roy Stewart, one of the best known Western leading men of the silent era. Stewart made his name appearing in cowboy sagas such as The Learnin' of Jim Benton (1917), Cactus Crandall (1918) and The Sagebrusher (1920). Earlier in 1926, he had played the title roles in the historical dramas With Buffalo Bill on the U.P. Trail and Daniel Boone Thru the Wilderness. A versatile performer not limited to Westerns, he also starred opposite Mary Pickford in the classic Sparrows (1926). Harry L. Fraser was an accomplished director of Westerns and cliffhanger serials going back to the silent era. Some of his most noteworthy accomplishments include the early John Wayne pictures Randy Rides Alone (1934) and 'Neath the Arizona Skies (1934). As a screenwriter, he penned the original film adaptations of Batman (1943) and Captain America (1944).

BONUS SHORTS:

The Man From Tia Juana (1917): Jack Hoxie and Marin Sais star in this 'American Girl' short. A courageous young woman must clear her boyfriend after he is framed for a hold-up. Directed by James W. Horne, famed for his work with Laurel & Hardy and Buster Keaton.

Patsy's Jim (1921): Irving Cummings stars in this tale of a Royal Canadian Mountie who is nursed back to health by a beautiful young girl after being attacked by thugs. One of the few surviving films starring Cummings, who would later become a successful director of films such as In Old Arizona (1928), Curly Top (1940) and That Night in Rio (1941).

Little Forest Ranger (circa 1930): A young boy has to protect his little sister when a band of outlaws set fire to their house.

• silent