<Li> The 1977 television film The Court - Martial of George Armstrong Custer, starring James Olson as Custer, was based on a controversial best - selling novel by Douglas C. Jones in which Custer survives the battle and must explain his actions in court . </Li> <Li> The television miniseries Son of the Morning Star, based on Evan S. Connell's bestselling book, debuted in 1991 . The film recounted the story of Custer (Gary Cole) and the Battle of the Little Bighorn . </Li> <Li> In 2005, the battle was portrayed in the mini-series Into the West </Li> <Li> In 2007, the BBC presented a one - hour drama - documentary titled Custer's Last Stand . </Li>

How many u.s. soldiers died at the battle of little bighorn