Director Robert Siodmak keeps this excellent Cinerama attraction moving so well that the running time of 148 minutes passes as rapidly as the waters of the timber chute.
On the other hand, the film bears signs of having been made with a watchful eye on the budget. None of the sets are very extensive (at least indoors), Custer's address to Congress is shown entirely through a shot of Custer superimposed on a model of the Capitol buildings with voices of dissent off, some of the model work (particularly of the train) is very obvious, and the editor repeats shots, particularly during the action sequences.
Admittedly, Robert Shaw gives us an arresting impersonation of Custer and demonstrates his versatility with a singing take-off as well.
Unfortunately, the rest of the players are no more than mediocre. Robert Ryan's scenes are allowed to run too long, while Jeffrey Hunter and Kieron Moore are stuck with the stock roles of idealistic young officer and and noble savage, respectively.
On the other hand, the film bears signs of having been made with a watchful eye on the budget. None of the sets are very extensive (at least indoors), Custer's address to Congress is shown entirely through a shot of Custer superimposed on a model of the Capitol buildings with voices of dissent off, some of the model work (particularly of the train) is very obvious, and the editor repeats shots, particularly during the action sequences.
Admittedly, Robert Shaw gives us an arresting impersonation of Custer and demonstrates his versatility with a singing take-off as well.
Unfortunately, the rest of the players are no more than mediocre. Robert Ryan's scenes are allowed to run too long, while Jeffrey Hunter and Kieron Moore are stuck with the stock roles of idealistic young officer and and noble savage, respectively.