CUSTER "Accused" 1967
CUSTER was a western series that ran for 17 episodes during the fall of 1967. The series is a highly fictional take George Armstrong Custer's various battles with the Plains Indians. Custer is played by Wayne Maunder with support from Slim Pickens, Peter Palmer, Robert F Simon, Grant Woods and Michael Dante.
This episode is the second of the series. Custer (Wayne Maunder) is out on patrol in the Black Hills looking into what the Lakota might be up to. He splits to patrol into two sections, leading one while new officer, Chris Robinson, leads the other. They are to avoid contact with any hostiles.
Robinson though has other ideas and ambushes a hunting party of natives. They kill four of the five Sioux encountered. Maunder and his group now join up with Robinson. Robinson is dressed down by Maunder for engaging the natives.
The one Sioux warrior has returned with a huge war party lead by Chief Crazy Horse (Michael Dante) himself. Maunder again splits his small patrol up and sends Robinson and 5 men off to return to the fort. He takes his own group and likewise does the same taking a diff route.
Maunder and his men reach the safety of the fort. Robinson's section fails to show. It turns out that Robinson had disobeyed orders again and changed his route. The section was caught by the Sioux and four of the men killed. Robinson and his Sgt, Jack Hogan, manage to escape on foot into the hills.
Complicating matters for Maunder is that James Daly, the father of the young officer, Robinson, is at the fort. Daly is a big time newspaper owner who has been printing some nasty stories about Maunder. (Custer) Daly's brother had been killed in the late war between the States, while riding with Maunder's command. Now he is sure that it is Maunder's fault his son is dead.
Maunder leads a night time patrol of 5 men out to recover the dead troopers. Daly forces his way onto the patrol to look for his son. The patrol finds the four dead troopers and quickly puts them underground. Daly is happy as hell that his son was not among the dead.
As this is happening, Robinson and Sgt Hogan are hiding out in a cave they found in the hills. Hogan in no uncertain terms lets Robinson know that he is a rotten officer, and that it is Robinson's fault the troopers are dead. The two are going to try and make it back to the fort on foot. The Sioux know full well that there were two survivors and are combing the area for them.
The Sioux soon put the bag on Robinson and Hogan, killing the latter. Robinson they stake out as bait for any possible rescue party. Needless to say, Daly rides right into the trap and the fight is on. Maunder and his men free Robinson and hotfoot it back towards the fort. One more trooper is killed during the chase. It is only because Maunder has brought along some dynamite, that they escape without further losses.
Back at the fort, Daly wants Maunder's commanding officer, Robert F Simon, to have him arrested. Robinson puts an end to that idea, by telling his father that the whole disaster was his fault by disobeying orders.
This is a watchable episode, with some nicely done stunt work during the fight scenes. Chris Robinson and Jack Hogan had just finish long runs on the war series, 12 O'CLOCK HIGH and COMBAT.
CUSTER was a western series that ran for 17 episodes during the fall of 1967. The series is a highly fictional take George Armstrong Custer's various battles with the Plains Indians. Custer is played by Wayne Maunder with support from Slim Pickens, Peter Palmer, Robert F Simon, Grant Woods and Michael Dante.
This episode is the second of the series. Custer (Wayne Maunder) is out on patrol in the Black Hills looking into what the Lakota might be up to. He splits to patrol into two sections, leading one while new officer, Chris Robinson, leads the other. They are to avoid contact with any hostiles.
Robinson though has other ideas and ambushes a hunting party of natives. They kill four of the five Sioux encountered. Maunder and his group now join up with Robinson. Robinson is dressed down by Maunder for engaging the natives.
The one Sioux warrior has returned with a huge war party lead by Chief Crazy Horse (Michael Dante) himself. Maunder again splits his small patrol up and sends Robinson and 5 men off to return to the fort. He takes his own group and likewise does the same taking a diff route.
Maunder and his men reach the safety of the fort. Robinson's section fails to show. It turns out that Robinson had disobeyed orders again and changed his route. The section was caught by the Sioux and four of the men killed. Robinson and his Sgt, Jack Hogan, manage to escape on foot into the hills.
Complicating matters for Maunder is that James Daly, the father of the young officer, Robinson, is at the fort. Daly is a big time newspaper owner who has been printing some nasty stories about Maunder. (Custer) Daly's brother had been killed in the late war between the States, while riding with Maunder's command. Now he is sure that it is Maunder's fault his son is dead.
Maunder leads a night time patrol of 5 men out to recover the dead troopers. Daly forces his way onto the patrol to look for his son. The patrol finds the four dead troopers and quickly puts them underground. Daly is happy as hell that his son was not among the dead.
As this is happening, Robinson and Sgt Hogan are hiding out in a cave they found in the hills. Hogan in no uncertain terms lets Robinson know that he is a rotten officer, and that it is Robinson's fault the troopers are dead. The two are going to try and make it back to the fort on foot. The Sioux know full well that there were two survivors and are combing the area for them.
The Sioux soon put the bag on Robinson and Hogan, killing the latter. Robinson they stake out as bait for any possible rescue party. Needless to say, Daly rides right into the trap and the fight is on. Maunder and his men free Robinson and hotfoot it back towards the fort. One more trooper is killed during the chase. It is only because Maunder has brought along some dynamite, that they escape without further losses.
Back at the fort, Daly wants Maunder's commanding officer, Robert F Simon, to have him arrested. Robinson puts an end to that idea, by telling his father that the whole disaster was his fault by disobeying orders.
This is a watchable episode, with some nicely done stunt work during the fight scenes. Chris Robinson and Jack Hogan had just finish long runs on the war series, 12 O'CLOCK HIGH and COMBAT.
