I saw "The Alamo" the first day it came out and from an historical standpoint, I thought it was very good. All the actors who portrayed key characters ( Sam Houston, Davey Crockett, etc.) did an excellent job. The movie does seem slow in parts and there isn't really much "action", but remember the standoff was manys days long with only sporadic cannon and gunfire and the actual siege at the end was only a few hours long. One huge plus is the inclusion of what is now believed to be the truth of how Davey Crockett died at the Alamo although this scene shows only him and not the others believed to have been with him. There is some wonderful dialoge that reveals how passionate the Texans were about Texas. Talk to just about any Texan today, and most of that same passion still exists. All and all I liked the movie alot and at least in this case, I'd have to say the critics once again, just don't see much entertainment in history.
Originally posted by: "I saw "The Alamo" the first day it came out and from an historical standpoint, I thought it was very good. All the actors who portrayed key characters ( Sam Houston, Davey Crockett, etc.) did an excellent job. The movie does seem slow in parts and there isn't really much "action", but remember the standoff was manys days long with only sporadic cannon and gunfire and the actual siege at the end was only a few hours long. One huge plus is the inclusion of what is now believed to be the truth of how Davey Crockett died at the Alamo although this scene shows only him and not the others believed to have been with him. There is some wonderful dialoge that reveals how passionate the Texans were about Texas. Talk to just about any Texan today, and most of that same passion still exists. All and all I liked the movie alot and at least in this case, I'd have to say the critics once again, just don't see much entertainment in history.
By the way, True West Magazine for May 2004 has a good article about Alamo movies of the past and also a piece by the editors and historian Alan C. Huffines which analyzes the movie and the battle. Bob Boze Bell also has a niece piece on " How did Davey Really Die" that includes good drawings of the Alamo compound and the positioning of the various events.
First of all, I would like to say how proud I am to have had relatives at the Alamo. I had two great-great-great-great cousins who died at the Alamo. So the Alamo and Texas History is a BIG subject for me.
Second of all, I have not seen it. Nor do I care to. John Wayne got it right the first time.
Third of all, there are many disputed facts about the Alamo story. "How did Davy Crockett die?" etc. But, this fact is undisputed: In March of 1836, almost 200 men tried to hold a crumbling adobe mission against 6,000 Mexican troops. And it is THAT story that I have found inspiring.
By the way, today in History (April 21) the Battle of San Jancinto was fought. (I also had two great-great-great cousins in THAT battle.) I try not to brag of course.
I have not seen the movie, but I also had a cousin at the Alamo, and he came all the way from New York state. I am sorry the movie has not done well, I wonder why that is? Is it because westerns in general are not popular now? I do remember John Wayne's movie, but I always realized it was inaccurate, more entertaining, but that's whay he wanted.
My cousin was Lt. George Kimball from New York who led some 30 troops into the Alamo and I think he was the only one to answer Travis's plea for help. Kimball County was named after him.
quote: Originally posted by: John Wayne got it right the first time.
No offense , but JohnWayne did a horrible job on his version of the alamo. first the movie had american peopole wearing makeup to look like mexicans ( which didint work) ans second , too long with a load of b.s. and the newer version is much more exciting and authentic. And many now believed that Crockett died last because of many ( more than a dozen) of the Mexican army accounts that he was executed last. And Jim Bowie was not stong enough to fight like in the wayne version he had Ammonia and was bed sick and was in no shape to stand up or even stay awake for long periods of time. in the new version they portray everything much more authentic and much better acting too ;)
quote: Originally posted by: John Wayne got it right the first time.
No offense , but JohnWayne did a horrible job on his version of the alamo. first the movie had american peopole wearing makeup to look like mexicans ( which didint work) ans second , too long with a load of b.s. and the newer version is much more exciting and authentic. And many now believed that Crockett died last because of many ( more than a dozen) of the Mexican army accounts that he was executed last. And Jim Bowie was not stong enough to fight like in the wayne version he had Ammonia and was bed sick and was in no shape to stand up or even stay awake for long periods of time. in the new version they portray everything much more authentic and much better acting too ;)