"Remembering the Alamo" - Did the History Channel do justice?

The History Channel ^ | December 16, 2003 | Greystone Communications, Inc - Craig Haffner

[sonofatpatcher2]

March 6, 1836: A massacre of Americans at the Mexican Army's hands made "Remember the Alamo" an immortal Texan battle cry. But is this history viewed through an American lens? With distance from the heat of battle, a Mexican version of the controversy emerges. What caused Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett to run from their pasts to become heroes in death? How did a struggle for independence become a race war? In this 2-hour investigation, we expose new evidence in this grand victory with a dark secret. TV PG

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: I heard one of the promos for the show on the radio, and a historian was describing Jim Bowie as a criminal.

Well, old Jim was not as pure white as driven snow in any way of thinking. However, he was one brave son-of-a-gun.

My late Father knew Commando Kelly who won the Medal of Honor in Italy in WW2. Dad said the guy was a pure thug, but added, "That sonmabitch could fight!"

[GOP_Proud]

They did say he died virtually penniless and in low regard.

[vetvetdoug]

It was ok for the history channel. I enjoyed seeing David Wright and Alan Huffines being quoted for colour commentary. I know both of them well. Anytime a videographer gets hold of something they can edit it till it makes no sense at all. I think they presented a lot of good information that added to everyone's knowledge of the Alamo.

[TEXOKIE]

Thanks for the review. I have recorded it, but hadnt decided if I really wanted to watch it. I've been fearful that it would be nothing but a revisionist's fantasy and therefore a waste of time. Maybe I'll give it a shot after all.

One of my in-law's family is in possession of Davy Crockett's rifle. I have pictures! My brother is deep into Texas history and Texiana. Over the last few years they have been resurfacing the San Jacinto Monument. He managed to obtain some pieces of the old facing stone and shared a chunk of it with me. What a treasure!

[rabidralph]

You guys crack me up! Here I am, waiting to hear all about the Alamo, shown on History last night, and I scroll through the posts to find you all think that raven-haired woman is hot. Reminds me of Sela Ward, BTW. Anyway, was the History Channel fair and balanced? I do want to see this film when it comes out. I hope it's not a PC piece of crap like The Last Samurai.

[freedumb2003]

Oppie?

Oppie Wayne?

Wow -- I am soooo uninformed -- I better apply for an ID on DU!

:)

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: You guys crack me up! Here I am, waiting to hear all about the Alamo, shown on History last night, and I scroll through the posts to find you all think that raven-haired woman is hot. Reminds me of Sela Ward, BTW. Anyway, was the History Channel fair and balanced? I do want to see this film when it comes out. I hope it's not a PC piece of crap like The Last Samurai.

I quess I should have made my comments about the TV spot on a seperate thread, but that's water under the bridge. BTW she does look like Sela...

But back to the subjects. Yes, IMHO the History Channel's program was fair and balanced and would never make the cut at CNN. Nor ABC if Diane Sawyer was involved.

As to the Alamo film coming out in March, I know they have Crockett captured at the end of the final battle. If the inside info I have is correct, it is well done and would make even John Wayne's holy spirit proud.

[baltodog]

What are we talking about here: The Alamo, diamonds, or Lexus'?
I'm confused.
It's times like this that make me wonder, "What would Jarrod do?"

[Khurkris]

I watched 2x's and felt it was a good show. It presented more background info on the central actors in the Battle of the Alamo than is usually shown. In my research of some of them it pretty well matches what they showed. IMHO they were a bit easy on Jim Bowie. He was best known as a gambler, hustler, confidence man and knife fighter. (not that there's anything wrong with that)And Travis was no model of virtue; and that is rarely shown.

It was well worth my time and am glad this was made. It dealt with some issues of the time that led to the Alamo and its place in the History of Texas.

Also, it referred to Texans of that time as TEXIANS and not Texicans. Which was very good to hear.

[freedumb2003]

They did say he died virtually penniless and in low regard.

Santa Ana is hated by the Mexican people. They belive he sold out to the gringos for 30 silver pieces. They look at him kind of like how the Arab street sees Saddam since his capture -- as a coward who gave in rather than fight the noble fight.

[MattGarrett]

The real story isn't that Texans where annihilated in San Antonio, the real story is that they bought time with their lives to enable Sam Houston to prepare for the battle of San Jacinto - where the Mexican Army was routed and removed from Texas forever.

THAT'S the real story of the Alamo. A few hundred men held off thousands of seasoned army troops and their sacrifice planted the seeds of a Texan victory.

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: One of my in-law's family is in possession of Davy Crockett's rifle. I have pictures!

But do you have a chain of evidence?

I have photos, too! That is my Great-Great-Great-Great-Aunt Lucy on her front porch in Giles County TN in 1956. I took that photo as a lad of nine.

[undergroundwarrior]

The show pointed out very clearly that Bowie was a lying land grabbing cheat who ran away to Texas so that he could escape the law.

Santa Ana was rightfully portrayed as a cowardly piece of scum, who brutally ordered the execution of those his forces defeated.

I enjoyed the show and on Cinco de Mayo I will be thinking "Remember The Alamo".

[Holly_P]

Are you telling me that the History Channel shows something other than Hitler and WW2 now? If so I may start watching it again.

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: Oppie Wayne? Wow -- I am soooo uninformed -- I better apply for an ID on DU!

Go rent the DVD of The Shootist and send a $100 donation to the Bush Campaign and we'll call it even!

[GOP_Proud]

The program said that Jim Bowie had been making fraudulent land claims in Louisianna and the law was about to catch up with him when he decided to "relocate" to Texas. They did say that he had such a great personality that everyone thought highly of him and to a man he was considered very brave.

William Travis, who wound up commanding the Alamo during the battle(with Bowie sick), had abandoned his family...wife and children, ran off to Texas and portrayed himself in Texas as a "bachelor".

Davy Crocket was portrayed as having gone to Texas to lick his wounds after political defeat.

My only great surprise was the slave "Joe" who somehow managed to survive but was ever heard from again.

I don't know about everyone else (perhaps this is a Texas thing), but this program was promoted as "the real truth about what happened". They made a big deal that they wanted to set the record straight re: the belief in this country that this was about the "dirty" Mexicans and the "pure as snow" Americans. They claimed that most Americans believe it was a race or cultural war. I personally have never been taught that or thought it. I knew there were "Mexicans" or "tejanos" (I think that is the term) on the Alamo side. Do most people in the US view it as racial?

Hey it's always all about race, isn't it? The Americans wanted the land only because the "dirty" Mexicans had it. It could never simply be that somebody saw nice land and wanted it...no matter WHO had a claim to it.

[breakem]

I read a diary about 10 years ago. The supposed version by a Mexican Lt. who was a chronicler for SA. The report was that Crockett and a couple of other surrendered and were executed. SA said kill them for their cowardice because Crockett said he was just staying over at the Alamo because he was just passing by.

Analysts and historians mostly discount the diary because there was evidence it was written in the 1880s. I think the reports of the execution after surrender aren't substantiated.

My memory of this is spotty and perhaps others can expand.

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: They did say he died virtually penniless and in low regard.

This is not the wish list for Clinton's Last Days...

But I would agree!

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: It's times like this that make me wonder, "What would Jarrod do?"

I'll ask him when he gets back from the Colonel's...

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: The real story isn't that Texans where annihilated in San Antonio, the real story is that they bought time with their lives to enable Sam Houston to prepare for the battle of San Jacinto - where the Mexican Army was routed and removed from Texas forever.

THAT'S the real story of the Alamo. A few hundred men held off thousands of seasoned army troops and their sacrifice planted the seeds of a Texan victory.

Amen!