Custer: The Complete Series

Custer was an exciting western that only lasted 17 episodes and was doomed from the start. It probably wasn't the greatest idea to create a series glamorizing such a controversial historical figure and the critics savaged it. (I sincerely doubt that this series could ever happen today considering the politically correct straitjacket we find ourselves living in today.) Custer also premiered in 1967 when many of the tv westerns were on their way out. I watched this series during its brief run on ABC and enjoyed it. Like so many other fairly obscure tv series from the past, I never expected to see it again and I am glad Shout Factory has released it (although their packaging is terrible.)The series was produced in beautiful color, has a lot of action, shooting, horses and blue skies. The indians are treated poorly to say the least. The show features an actor named Wayne Maunder as Custer. A year after Custer, Maunder became one of the stars of a little-remembered, two year, western named Lancer. Custer also co-stars the great Slim Pickens and anything with Pickens in it can't be all bad.So if you want an action-packed Cavalry western with very good production values, you could do a lot worse than Custer.

The TV show Custer was deprived of me, a nine-year-old back in 1967, because my father didn't like series star Wayne Maunder's long hair (not a wig but his real hair). The series stood out in my mind at the time because 1.) I wanted to see it, and 2.) it was kind of an oddity because TV westerns were on the decline in the late '60s. Well, with an Amazon purchase, I finally got to absorb and generally enjoy all 17 episodes. They are standard fare as far as westerns go (preeminent TV production manager Jack Sonntag was on hand supervising the production as he'd done on many other westerns since TV's Golden Age). The central character is portrayed as a daring do-gooder empathetic to the Indian plight who choses his words carefully. He's mostly at odds with his commanding general Terry due to what seems to others as reckless determination, but somehow by episode's end the latter nods in appreciation at Custer's devotion to duty and country. The Indians are (again) primarily on the warpath as with other westerns at the time, and only a few small groups appear unscathed by the plotlines. The real Custer, as most history watchers will note, was a little lax with the Native Americans he encountered. According to Custer biographer Evan S. Connell in his excellent book Son of the Morning Star, Custer's body was found at Little Big Horn with his eardrums punctured by an awl; the Indians apparently didn't feel he had listened carefully enough at a key peace conference he'd conducted with them several months before his violent end. And it's true that North American Indian groups brought an end to the series because of their protests that the series glamorized the man. The producers of the show must have had some knowledge of Custer's notoriety because at the end of each show, a disclaimer reads, "Tonight's episode has been a fictional drama."Well, I got through all the episodes and plan to watch them again. Expect to see a lot of Southern California locales utilized in the filming of the show (the much photographed Vasquez Rocks pop up in a few episodes). An added treat is seeing veteran actor Slim Pickens as Custer's scout. Also on hand is Peter Palmer (moviedom's Lil' Abner) as Sergeant Bustard. And you'll see a good sampling of familiar '60s actors guest starring throughout.

Bought this without ever having seen an episode and was quite pleasantly surprised. Tons of quality action scenes and great guest stars, Darren McGavin, William Smith, James Daly, Ralph Meeker, Lloyd Bochner, William Windom and others. Slim Pickens is great in this show as California Joe and Wayne Maunder (never seen him before) makes a good Custer. Not historically accurate but fans of the Cavalry vs Indians genre will enjoy this. Surprised it went only one season though I understand it was in a tough time-slot.

My wife, born and raised in the mountains of southern Mexico, told me about this series that she'd caught glimpses of when she was growing up. I thought she was mistaken. Usually, anything I've ever seen that's related to George Armstrong Custer is always about the massacre at the Battle of Little Big Horn. This series is about his life in the Army before that battle. Not all are factual, but it is a pretty entertaining series. I'm glad I listened to my wife! :-]

This is a great all action western series.As a young school boy in sixties England I loved watching this series and couldn't understand why it disappeared so quickly,especially as it was a massive hit.This series is beautifully produced,with clear picture and sound,not like the dodgy ,poor quality versions available on youtube.This is great escapist entertainment that is a treat for any western fan.Shout factory should be applauded for giving us this series back in such excellent quality discs.This is a forgotten gem of the sixties which still has the power to thrill and entertain today.

Remember this show as a teenager. Loved Wayne Maunder. Wish there was more episodes. I can understand why there wasn’t. Viet Nam war, civil rights , writers should have adapted. But DVD is good. Quality is very good.

most of the stories had little historical merit but instead put the real characters in many fanciful situations. Pretty well acted by the regulars to the show.

If you like military tv western entertainment, you probably enjoy this show. Loosely based on parts of his career in service. If you want documentation and history to its fullest, I advise going to a library to seek the information. Its a tv show for entertainment action packed with some nostalgic stars like Rory Calhoun and Paul Peterson.

Classic Western Adventures with one of The west's most colorful characters General George Armstrong Custer. The series faithfully captures Custer's daring exploits with The 7th cavalry prior To The infamous Battle At The Little Big Horn. first shown in 1967 Wayne Maunder plays The famous General in a role he was born To play you can watch Maunders performance and really believe he his Custer. while I can vaguely recall The series when it was originally shown This DVD is really a god send as The series as just really languished in The TV vaults since its original airings. for a vintage TV release The DVD is Quite remarkable The episodes all look That They have had some restoration work done to them color and sound on The one hour episodes are really excellent. Custer's exploits while enjoyable was however short lived and only 17 episodes were produced and Those episodes are spread over four separate Discs for This release. The collection in a way do offer some extras with background information on The real General Custer. if you recall The series from its original run or just have an interest in vintage TV or for Custer himself This DVD will entertain as Custer and The 7th cavalry once again ride into glory as The series recreates history. a vintage five stars.

The customer service from the vendor was really excellent. They replaced the missing dvd immediately and without any fuss. The series itself is less than perfect, clichéd even. But many thanks.Much appreciated.

I love the the series but the advertising does not state Region 1 only. This needs to be clarified on Amazon website.

I like anything with a western tilt so this series fits the bill, I have not watched all of them yet, so maybe my review is a little premature, as I realised there is very little historical truth in the storyline, a little like the 'Lone Ranger' without the mask and Tonto, but tongue in cheek I don't mind it. Very watchable to a western fan!

DISLIKED THIS BECOUSE COULD NOT PLAY IN MY DVD SYSTEM SO RETURNED IT FOR FULL REFUND BACK TO MY BANK ACCOUNT.