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.

[Doctor Stochastic]

Santa Ana Link

Another Link

Goliad

Some Quotes

DRT Alamo Link

Last Stand Website

[GraniteStateConservative]

He should have said catamount. At least people still use that word. It's the UVM team name and they were just in the NCAA Tourney.

[hispanarepublicana]

Did Santa Anna had territoral aspects i.e. trying to conquer more land? Mainly go against the US?

He was the self-described "Napoleon of the West". You tell me. My theory is that if he hadn't lost favor with the Mexican citizenry so quickly, then the "rebel Texian forces" might have later included those from Monterrey and Torreon as well.

[hispanarepublicana]

I heard that the actor who played Travis opened the movie's preview showing in San Antonio with the song "God Bless America".

I was curious as to why they chose an "unknown" to play Travis, especially after the History Channel Hollywood vs. History special where they didn't include the actor who portrayed Travis. I am a Texan, and Travis has always loomed large as a major part of the Alamo, especially given his "Victory or Death" letter which hangs in every good Texan's home....

[Lando Lincoln]

My understanding is that "I'm a screamer" was colloquial at the time and meant something on the order of "I'm a bad-a$$". Something like that, anyway.

Lando

[ValerieUSA]

It was a big outdoor wrap party in the park - in miserable weather.
Tim McGraw plays a total drunken jerk father of a football player in this new movie (to be released next year) - reliving his old glory days through his poor son.

[kaylar]

I actually speculated about 'catamount'-I wonder if anyone would have misheard it as 'catamite'?

[kaylar]

Possible linguistic ancestor of 'scream' , ie "He/she/it's a scream!" which people were using as late as the 1960s, maybe even the 1970s. (Dead slang is hard to define, but 'scream' appears to mean "a lot of fun in a wacky way." Or something like that.)

[kaylar]

Lyron? Never heard that one, but I can believe it : Some of the older folks around here still put unnecessary 'R's' in words without 'rs' , ie 'warsh' for wash. Arrgh!!! I think their accent is called 'wiregrass south' or something like that, I dunno.

Speaking of lions, I read where the first English settlers in Virginia asked local tribes why none of the lions had "hair like women" , ie manes. They thought the cougars they'd seen/killed were all lionesses. The tribal spokesmen told them that lions with long hair like women could be found (VERY loose translation) 'over that mountain way off in the distance there', or 100 miles or more out of the tribe's territory!

[Doctor Stochastic]

I think "lyron" was used by Falkner (as being said by some backwoods character and not being understood by others in the scene.)

[bayourod]

The battle for the Alamo isn't over yet. The Alamo has been under the control of the Daughters of the Texas Revolution (or something similar) for the last hundred + years.

Now Hispanic groups are demanding that they be given control of it.

[Trinity_Tx]

Amazing huh?

LOL No doubt they'll wish they hadn't messed with the Daughters of the Texas Revolution.

Seriously.

[Trinity_Tx]

I don't know. But I really liked the actor and his portrayal. Much better than the one in the old version.

And the one who played Bowie deserves an oscar nod for his performance, IMHO.

[bmwcyle]

OK when I watch it for 3.99 on Dish Network it will be the right price.

[Ditto]

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.

Near the beginning of the film, they showed Santa Anna ordering the summary execution of captives from another skirmish over the objections of his field commanders. One of the "memorable" lines of the film was the discussion if only officers would be executed when they fell and one soldier replied that they all just got promotions.

Santa Anna came off as a vain, pompous and completely vicious dictator (who didn't even care about the lives of his own men.) The 'defenders" were given various motives ranging from pure patriotism, to those of typical 19th century adventurers -- i.e. Davey Crockett. I'd say overall, they were depicted positively and it showed them fighting with honor to the last. Sam Houston was portrayed very positively -- a very smart commander and an honorable man.

Other than a few throwaway scenes dealing with Travis' and Bowie's slaves, and some dialog between several of the Mexican defenders on who they could trust more, Santa Ann or the Americans, (they picked the Americans), the Hollywood PC seemed very minor to me.

Not a great film but other than special effects and more "blood," not all that different from the John Wayne film either.

[WaterDragon]

I actually speculated about 'catamount'-I wonder if anyone would have misheard it as 'catamite'?

[shudder] What a horrible thought! Make sure people understand a 'catamite' is a homo.

[MplsSteve]

Hispanic "groups" want control of the Alamo?

What kind of Hispanic "groups"?

The Alamo is a monument to the Texians who fought at it.

The Hispanic Texians who fought at the Alamo have been duly recognized for their sacrifice.