I saw "The Alamo" tonight...and I liked it!

[MplsSteve]

I saw "The Alamo" tonight.

I went in with an open mind, having read the comments posted on here as well as on the 'Net in general.

Though I'm no authority on the subject, I found the movie to be relatively true to actual historical events.

Yes, with any Hollywood production, you're gonna see some artistic license taken...and there were a few that were taken here that shouldn't have been taken.

There has been on on-going debate for the few decades over whether Davy Crockett was killed in the fighting or whether he was captured alive and then executed. Because the producers chose that he was captured and then executed doesn't make it any less of a movie....or any less believable.

But all in all, the acting was good and the battle scenes and special effects were great. If you've seen the movie already, then you know about the birds-eye view of the Mexican cannonball flying into the interior of the Alamo.

Go to this movie with an open but wary mind about what you're gonna see...and you won't be disappointed.

[PRND21]

Did you see the recent PBS Alamo program?
If so, how did they compare?

[k2blader]

Thanks for your thoughts. I'm still fairly interested in seeing this film.

If I can (gladly) sit through "The Passion" understanding it's simply a movie, surely I can do the same for "The Alamo".

[latina4dubya]

i want to see it, but i doubt i will at the theatres... we hardly make it to the cimena... however, in a way, i wouldn't mind it doing well because i like Dennis Quaid--and he is in it...

[SwyChron 101]

But from which Alamo film viewing do your speaketh?
John Wayne's or the silly one with Billy Bob Johnny Hollywood Uuhmpha Thornton playing a part that only needed a "Texan" accent?

Not to be rude, but J. Wayne did a fun job, if not maybe a bit long and over exaggerated on the heroism parts.

AS a Texas born and bred, the outrageous history is that does not relay the fact that many of the Alamo defenders were not killed in the battle on March 6, 1836, but rounded up after attempting a Gentleman's Surrender" and summarily hacked to death as if they were rabid animals.

Generalissimo Santa Anna never regained stature but lost it post haste.

[Names Ash Housewares]

I saw it too. I understand artistic license will always be utilized whenever there are historical gaps in facts. But I thought it was done well.

http://www.thealamo.org/
"Why is the Battle of the Alamo a significant historical event?
The Alamo became a rallying cry that helped the Texans defeat the Mexican Army at San Jacinto. Texas' independence laid the ground work for Texas' admission to the Union. Texas' admission to the Union led to a war between the United States and Mexico. At the end of the war, Mexico was required by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo to give the United States the area that now comprises California, Arizona, New Mexico as well as the parts of other western states. Debate over whether or not the territory gained from Mexico should be open to slavery helped divide the Union and led to the Civil War. The fact that the Union was prevented from splitting apart coupled the resources gained through the Louisiana Purchase (1803), the annexation of Texas (1845), the settlement of the Oregon question (1846), and the Mexican Cession (1848) set the United States on the path of becoming a world power."

Amazing all the small acts of courage that can have such ripple effects through time. Makes you think "what if" a lot. Would America be what it is today if history had played out different then? If America had not become a super power who could have stopped monsters like Hitler?
You never know what will be important.

[dawn53]

We saw The Passion for the second time on Friday afternoon. My 16 year old son said he was once again struck by the "impact" of the film.

I watched him, at times, during the film, and my 6 foot, "macho" teenager, had his hands cupped over his mouth as if in awe (even though he had seen the movie before.)

When Mary cradled Jesus' body in her arms, toward the end of the movie, he leaned over to me and said, "The Pieta."
We had studied Michaelangelo's works (I homeschooled) but I was still surprised that he would be watching closely enough to identify that scene with the sculpture (he came home and looked up a picture of the sculpture and told me that it wasn't identical, and I explained how Gibson had used some other artworks to craft some of his scenes.)

Yesterday, he saw The Alamo with some friends. He thought it was "okay."

Usually, any movie with battle scenes would have delighted him. I think he's been spoiled by Gibson's movie.

[Caipirabob]

GET HIM!

Just kidding. Glad you enjoyed it. I saw Matrix II at our premiere theatre where we paid $16 per ticket. I hated it, and it was all the worse for what I paid. We don't go to the movies too often, so when I go and it's a "stinker", let's just leave it as "I become extemely displeased".

[battlegearboat]

"Remember the Snackbar!"

[Caipirabob]

That was the only thing worth remembering with Matrix 2 & 3...

[raybbr]

AS a Texas born and bred, the outrageous history is that does not relay the fact that many of the Alamo defenders were not killed in the battle on March 6, 1836, but rounded up after attempting a Gentleman's Surrender" and summarily hacked to death as if they were rabid animals.

This is the part of history that Mexico lovers would like us to forget. From what I have read, Santa Ana flew the "No Quarter" flag from his camp from the outset of the siege. Now, we are supposed to laud this butcher because of political correctness.

[Glenn]

I'm worried about the hate message this film exudes. There could be Hispanic backlash. Lawsuits for reparations. Attacks on body shops and taco stands.

[Paradox]

Matrix 2 an 3 were very well done, cinematography and SFX wise, but what a waste of a setup (Matrix I). As for the Alamo, I dunno, the next movie I am going to see is the Passion, then who knows what, I can't get out with the wife too see too many movies, so Ill probably catch a comic book flick like Hellboy,punisher,helsing, then maybe Shrek2 with the kids.

[livius]

That's because in addition to its religious aspect, The Passion is a genuine work of art, drawing on the Western artistic heritage. Someone on an earlier thread described it is the cinematic equivalent of the Sistine Chapel, which I thought summed it up nicely.

And there's nothing else that is even remotely comparable to that! Works of art are unique and move on a wholly different level from simply a good use of the media (such as the Alamo may be).

[Ironsman]

I saw the movie last night and liked it. This Country was not started by saints. It was start by real people. People with failings and faults who when the moment was on them took a stand with courage and determination.

You have to see the movie to understand my wondering if faced with a situation beyond being hopeless would I have the courage to say "I thought he'd be taller"

[jimbo123]

You are one of the few. It flopped big time this weekend and Disney is going to take a huge loss on the picture and more layoffs will be their reward. The movie cost more than $100 million to make and another $25 million to market. That's what the Disney perverts get for making an inane liberal revisionist movie where Davy Crockett's last words were "I'm a screamer." What were these people thinking? "I'm a screamer?" Give me a break.

[savedbygrace]

I'm not going to see the movie, so fill me in. What was "I'm a screamer" supposed to mean?

[Ironsman]

If you are not willing to see the movie then why care? If you are willing to find out then find out.

[mommya]

Gosh - you are so nice.

[mtbopfuyn]

Geez, the Davy Crockett thing was just to sell ficticious books. It's documented in Mexican reports that he was killed so end of story.

In the movie, did they say who captured Santa Anna? I heard they ended it with the Battle of San Jacinto so hoped they'd at least give the names of the scouts, one being granpappy Sion Bostick.