They Died with Their Boots On Quiz | T

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In 'They Died with Their Boots On', who played the lead role as the daring and flamboyant George Armstrong Custer?

Answer: Errol Flynn

One of the biggest names of the era, Errol Flynn was the swashbuckling star of such classics as 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' and 'The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex'. Oddly enough, though Flynn played a figure of the American old west, he was a native of Tasmania, Australia.

2. Olivia de Havilland was the leading lady in 'They Died with Their Boots On', playing the part of Custer's wife. What was her first name?

Answer: Elizabeth

Elizabeth Bacon was her full maiden name.

This marked the eighth of eight films in which one of Hollywood's greatest screen couples, Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn, appeared together.

3. The film begins with Custer entering West Point as a cadet. Custer is anything but humble as he enters the grounds of the academy. Which of these is not true about Custer's grand entrance?

Answer: He is accompanied by ten servants.

Though Custer arrives in magnificent fashion, he soons finds himself confronting many difficulties at the academy, most brought on by his own poor behavior. When Custer finally graduates from West Point, he is last in his class of 34 (in 1861).

4. Languishing in Washington D.C. while the armies of the south threaten, Custer is desperate to be assigned a command in the Union army. He is finally allowed to take part in the action, thanks to the help of which U.S. general?

Answer: Winfield Scott

Custer charms General Winfield Scott, played marvellously in the film by Sydney Greenstreet, at a lunch table in a restaurant, offering the General his own plate of Bermuda onions. Scott helps get Custer assigned to the 2nd U.S. Cavalry regiment, and he is soon thrust into action.

5. At which Civil War battle does Custer distinguish himself in the film, impressing General Sheridan?

Answer: Bull Run

At Bull Run, Custer leads a brave charge against approaching southern forces, despite counter orders by his fellow West Point graduate and soon-to-be-rival Ned Sharp. Custer is wounded in the battle, but manages to impress General Sheridan, a personal friend of Samuel Bacon, father of Custer's fiance Elizabeth.

6. After Custer's heroic exploits in the Civil War, he retires to his hometown of Monroe with his lovely wife. In which U.S. state can Monroe be found?

Answer: Michigan

The real Custer was born in New Rumley, Ohio, but moved to Monroe, Michigan with his family as a child. A statue in Monroe currently bears his name. Custer's wife was born and raised in Monroe.

7. Custer's wife senses that he is very unhappy at home, and she secretly consults with an army general about having her husband reassigned to an cavalry unit on the western frontier. Soon enough, Custer is recommissioned at a lower rank and assigned to the 7th Cavalry. His highest rank in the war is brigadier general, what is his new rank out west?

Answer: Lieutenant Colonel

Custer serves under General Sheridan's command out west. He finds that the 7th Cavalry is a ragtag collection of unkempt ne'er-do-wells, but he soon changes their attitudes.

The 7th Cavalry was given credit for a great deal of victories against the various prarie Indian tribes. Some debate the legacy of the 7th Cavalry, with suggestions that their tactics described in some circles as 'ethnic cleansing'. Unlike in 'They Died with Their Boots On', in other films, Custer has been portrayed as a villain.

8. Early in his command, Custer and his men capture a famous Indian chief. Played by a young Anthony Quinn, which Indian chief tangles with Custer?

Answer: Crazy Horse

Crazy Horse is personally captured by Custer in the film. He soon escapes from the jail at Fort Lincoln. Later, after a number of defeats, Crazy Horse is shown surrendering to Custer, with the latter promising that the Black Hills will be considered off-limits to white settlers. This written agreement is later broken when some of Custer's political enemies spread the news that gold has been found in the Black Hills.

In reality, it was General Custer who led a short expedition in the Black Hills in 1874. He soon announced to the world that gold had been discovered there.

9. Which nasty habit does Custer refrain from during his western assignment, also disallowing the men under his command from its practice?

Answer: Drinking

In Michigan, Custer's drinking habit seemingly becomes out of control, thus prompting his wife to ask for his reassignment. Despite the protestations of his men, Custer insists that Fort Lincoln remain dry, along with each soldier under his command.

10. At which great battle does Custer fall, despite the heroic efforts of his outnumbered force?

Answer: Little Big Horn

In the film, Custer is depicted as sacrificing himself and his men in order to stave off the massacre of other U.S. troops that are accompanying civilians. Many historians consider Custer's actions leading to the Battle of Little Big Horn to be reckless, and the death of his men needless. Regardless, Custer's efforts were courageous, and he indeed 'died with his boots on'.

Thanks for playing this quiz, I hope you have enjoyed it.

Source: Author thejazzkickazz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor skunkee before going online.
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They Died with Their Boots On Trivia Quiz

'They Died with Their Boots On' is a Hollywood classic from 1941, featuring a spirited (if somewhat inaccurate) account of the life of U.S. General George Armstrong Custer. Good luck!

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