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The new 50-minute docu-film, that Stephen was in, is called 'Custer's Plan' and is one of the episodes in the 'Heroes of the Wild West' series, that was filmed entirely on the South Dakota [USA] prairie.
Stephen played a Captain, that was based on a real person that actually fought at the Little Big Horn, named Frederic Benteen. And Stephen gave him a Southern accent!! And if you think that is going to sound lovely, you're absolutely right!!
The subject matter is, by nature, bleak. But it is a lovely piece of work, and there are some just wonderful shots, like the one of the sun rising over the plains, or the wind through the prairie grass, or the full moon through the clouds. And there is one shot, where the troops are riding, where the sky is the angriest, moodiest grey, you ever saw. But my favourite scene, is where Custer is chewing out the men, because somebody [namely Stephen's Benteen!] wrote an un-complimentary-to-Custer letter to a friend, that just happened to end up in the newspaper. The lighting on Stephen, in that scene, looks just like an oil painting to me. This is Stephen, in that scene. See for yourself:
General Custer was played by Toby Stevens. Also in the cast, were Roger Clarke as Captain Thomas Weir, Alan Cox as Mark Kellogg, a reporter that rode along with the Cavalry, Nigel Whitmey as Major Marcus Reno, and James Jordan as scout, Mitch Boyer.
'Custer's Plan' was directed by Dave Stewart ('The Human Face' documentary with John Cleese, not from the Eurythmics.) And it is reported to be, the most accurate portrayal of the old Frontier Army in the field, filmed yet - to date.
Availability:
Evidently it has already aired in UK, and BBC has taken pity on the rest of of who want to see it, because it is posted, in parts, over at YouTube. It is also supposed to air on the Discovery Channel later this year, in the States. You can order one, for Zone 2, at the BBC Shop at this URL, or you can order one at amazon.co.uk, at this URL. But while you wait for your copy to arrive in the mail, you can go over to YouTube and watch it right now! They are all listed under 'Custer', and the URL's are as follows:
Listed
AsURL Run
TimePart 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_uZNd2EZkE 5:12 Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xofAYSRwQts 6:04 Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBB3QpgoRT0 6:38 Part 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc0LgEi8dZM 7:12 Part 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSapL-Npugg 5:46 Part 6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOj7_HIXppI 6:30 Part 7 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h97iYjrGvKk 7:05 Part 8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m32BJrOGEIQ 3:59 Part 9 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krt-jE_CYw4 4:44
Last updated: 19th March 2007
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