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They Died With Their Boots On

Play trailer Poster for They Died With Their Boots On 1941 2h 18m Western Play Trailer Watchlist
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71% Tomatometer 14 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
George Armstrong Custer (Errol Flynn) is a rebellious but ambitious soldier, eager to join the Civil War. During the war, Custer has numerous successes to his credit, even though he disobeys orders. After the war concludes, he marries Libby Bacon (Olivia de Havilland) and is assigned to the Dakota Territory. Custer negotiates honestly with the Sioux on land, but due to corruption from others, a battle with Sitting Bull's forces occurs at Little Big Horn.
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They Died With Their Boots On

Critics Reviews

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Nick Schager Slant Magazine Apr 25, 2005
3/4
Endures as one of the finest Flynn-de Havilland collaborations. Go to Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Sep 29, 2025
2/5
While Gen. George Armstrong Custer is a historical American figure worthy of a biopic, They Died with Their Boots On does not do proper justice to his life and career. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Sep 1, 2025
3/4
They Died With Their Boots On is often so outlandish that viewers will instantly realize that history is getting assaulted and murdered right before their eyes. Yet the results are so entertaining that it’s hard to get too indignant. Go to Full Review Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal Aug 30, 2025
2.5/5
Indisputably well-acted, incredibly shot and inimitably dangerous-looking to the point where people actually died, but also interminably boring for long swaths of time. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Jun 22, 2011
B
A rousing Western. Go to Full Review Michael E. Grost Classic Film and Television Jul 17, 2009
Powerful, if heavily fictionalized, Western, with dynamic direction by Raoul Walsh. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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john r @RT63308967 Apr 18, 2025 The historical inaccuracies ultimately outweigh the sometimes rousing action. See more Deke P @RT96675217 Apr 16, 2024 iconic classic movie & performances. Great stars. Totally exonerates Custer from blame or ill intentions. Portrays him as factually very very sympathetic to the Indians. If that portrayal is true, it is totally at odds with the 'Custer had it coming' hate of the last few decades. I only remember seeing parts of it, including the heroic last scene stand, a few times. Saw the last 90 minutes of so on tv Grit tv, 4.15.24 in 'lertn See more Steve D @RT35616104 Jan 14, 2024 Besides Greenstreet's Scott I wish they had died quicker. See more j f @LiberteBurrows Aug 6, 2023 Big fan of Flynn and Walsh, but not a fan of this. Cheesy script, no depth, excitement or suspense. See more Per S @RT83737705 Oct 24, 2022 Better than Custer of the West, but otherwise just as nonsense fictional. See more Apr 6, 2021 The historical reconstruction does not exist, but the whole film is a hymn to Errol Flynn's unique and charismatic qualities. Custer is Flynn and Flynn is Custer. Feature film made to measure for an inimitable actor. See more Read all reviews
They Died With Their Boots On

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Cast & Crew

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Raoul Walsh

Director

Errol Flynn

George Armstrong Custer

Olivia de Havilland

Elizabeth Bacon

Arthur Kennedy

Ned Sharp

Charley Grapewin

California Joe

Gene Lockhart

Samuel Bacon

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They Died With Their Boots On

They Died With Their Boots On (1941) They Died With Their Boots On (1941) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis George Armstrong Custer (Errol Flynn) is a rebellious but ambitious soldier, eager to join the Civil War. During the war, Custer has numerous successes to his credit, even though he disobeys orders. After the war concludes, he marries Libby Bacon (Olivia de Havilland) and is assigned to the Dakota Territory. Custer negotiates honestly with the Sioux on land, but due to corruption from others, a battle with Sitting Bull's forces occurs at Little Big Horn.
Director
Raoul Walsh
Screenwriter
Wally Kline, Æneas MacKenzie
Production Co
Warner Bros.
Genre
Western
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 21, 1941, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2009
Runtime
2h 18m
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