A Famous Fort Under Siege, And History Too

The Wall Street Journal ^ | April 9, 2004 | BRENDAN MINITER

[presidio9]

Disney's "The Alamo" hits theaters today, and there is already grumbling about its historical revisionism. Well, that is what Hollywood does. What may come as a surprise is that the Lone Star State itself has revised this chapter of its storied history.

[presidio9]

I have not yet seen the Alamo, therefore I am obviously qualified to offer my opinion on the film.

I am concerned that it will inspire an Anti-Mexican response in its viewers.

Has director John Lee Hankcock's dad ever said anything anything crazy about Mexico?

[1Old Pro]

How can this be. I saw 3-4 of the people involved (director, actors, etc) and they all claim it's 100% accurate. sheesh, is hollywood hallucinating again.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I am concerned that it will inspire an Anti-Mexican response in its viewers.

This very statement of your betrays bigotry against Gringoes.

Those crazy Gringoes don't know the difference between a movie and real life.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

You were being sarcastic. Sorry, I missed it.

[DumpsterDiver]

I have not yet seen the Alamo, therefore I am obviously qualified to offer my opinion on the film.

I share your qualifications.

I am concerned that it will inspire an Anti-Mexican response in its viewers.

Your concern is touching and very inclusive.

Has director John Lee Hankcock's dad ever said anything anything crazy about Mexico?

I heard from a guy whose niece knows someone who once ate at a Taco Bell and she said that at one time the director's father called Santa Anna a punk.

[I still care]

If Mel Gibson had made this, it would have been a hit.

[mtbopfuyn]

What the bloody hell does slavery have to do with the Alamo? Not everything revolves around that old worn out standby. So, the Hollyfreaks claim it's 100% factual? As if they bothered to visit to the the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives in Austin to read the actual handwritten statements made by those who fought throughout the Texas Revolution to understand the cause rather than rely on myths. I may be out of line but since I can't remember the last time Hollyweird spoke the truth, this Texan will save the $8 and may not even watch the movie when it comes out on tv.

[Little Ray]

Since the Mexicans themselves don't like Santa Anna (think "Bendict Arnold" in Spanish), this is probably a plus.

Since the defenders of the Alamo included a lot o' folks we'd consider "Mexican" I suspect there won't be much trouble on that part.

[cpdiii]

When you go to the Alamo look at the names of the Heroes of the Alamo. They are inscribed on the walls. Most of the Anglos were from Europe and in particular Ireland, Scotland, England and Germany. You will find many Hispanic names on those walls . Those were the native Texans that also rose in rebellion against the brutal dictator Santa Anna.

The Texas Rebellion was not about whites against Mexicans. It was about Anglos and Mexicans fighting against the tyranny of Santa Anna.

[pabianice]

This movie has cratered so badly that it may be the biggest money loser in the past ten years. It costs more than $ 150 million to produce and market, and the first week's take was about $ 35 million, with the third day already having fallen off to less than $ 10 million. People are staying away from this PC crap in legions. Another nail in the coffin of the Disney-Eisner Insult Machine.

[Cicero]

Disney deserves every bit of red ink it collects on this movie. Even if Eisner gets the boot, I have my doubts that the company can be salvaged. A more likely solution will be to see the rise of other family oriented movie makers to take its place, as it descends the rest of the way into the gutter and into the dustbin of history.

[Condor51]

Good post. I 'got it'.

[presidio9]

I was beginning to think I was too obtuse with the post.

[Rightly Biased]

"I am concerned that it will inspire an Anti-Mexican response in its viewers." LOL

It wasn't the Mexicans that killed the Texans it was thier Pride


< /sarcasm>

[Clemenza]

Santa Ana is the second most hated person in Mexican history, after General Huerta. This, of course, would be lost on liberal gringos.

[Orlando]

This is a anti-american movie !
Boycott it

We are at WAR, because of 911 and fighting for our lives
and the 5th Column in Hollywood shows this Junk !

We need a new Hollywood for real Americans who love GOD,Family and Country. Something like Mel Gibson other
movie:" We Were Soldiers",and "Patton"

We need movies that honor our heros.
Go U.S. Army

[Redbob]

"Since the defenders of the Alamo included a lot o' folks we'd consider "Mexican" I suspect there won't be much trouble on that part."

I wouldn't call 8 or 9 Tejanos "a lot" out of the total 189 or more killed at the Alamo.

[Redbob]

"Most of the Anglos were from Europe and in particular Ireland, Scotland, England and Germany."

Most of the "anglos" were from the U.S.
There were more from Tennessee alone (30!) than from Mexico (9).

[FITZ]

This, of course, would be lost on liberal gringos.

Yes he was despised --- so much that they dug up his leg and dragged it around to insult him but I think the USA has the leg now and they want it back. Santa Ana will be a hero to the liberals, some kind of politically correct figure.

[Clemenza]

What always amazed me was how many of the defenders of the Alamo were educated doctors, lawyers, bankers, etc. They weren't the 19th Century rednecks that many would like us to believe.