The Glory Guys is a 1965 film directed by Arnold Laven and starring Tom Tryon, Harve Presnell, and Senta Berger. The film is loosely based on the Battle of the Little Bighorn, where General George Armstrong Custer led his troops against a large force of Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne warriors in 1876.
The movie begins with a group of new recruits joining the 7th Cavalry Regiment, where they undergo rigorous training under the guidance of the seasoned veteran, Sergeant Major Frank Waller (Presnell). The recruits include Captain Demas Harrod (Tryon), who is haunted by the memory of his dead wife, and Lieutenant Benteen (James Caan), a sharpshooter and expert rider.
As the Cavalry prepares for their next mission, tensions rise between Harrod and Waller, who have conflicting ideas about how to lead the troops. When the Cavalry is sent to the frontier to protect settlers from Indian attacks, they soon find themselves outnumbered and outgunned by the fierce warriors. The Battle of the Little Bighorn ensues, resulting in a devastating defeat for the Cavalry.
Along with the main story, The Glory Guys also features a romantic subplot between Harrod and Lou Woddard (Berger), the beautiful owner of a local saloon and love interest for both Harrod and Waller.
The film received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising the performances and action scenes, while others found it overly melodramatic and generic. Despite this, The Glory Guys has since gained a cult following among Western fans and is often cited as one of the better films inspired by the Battle of the Little Bighorn.