"Alamo:The Movie":an open letter to the producers from Walt

Stardate: 0308.16

[The Wizard]

Dear producers of "Alamo: The Movie"

I would like to suggest the following:

be accurate but don't confuse movie making with writing text books...Text books are cheaper to print than movies are to make, and no one goes to the movies at $10/seat for a history lesson, they pay to be entertained

When there is controversy side with the legend....you'll never satisfy the 7 historians that will pan the movie anyway, and if you slam Texas heroes your movie will fail and you'll lose the ability to make more expensive movies...

American heroes are larger than life and Americans expect them to be portrayed that way: a politically correct movie might win you a few half positive remarks from the foreign film buffs but you'll pay at home in seats and DVD sales that will NOT HAPPEN

My final suggestion:

I changed the world when I gave it Davy Crockett in 1954-55, and I followed the story as close as necessary......no-one in America after 911 wants some pansy assed butt head from hollywierd telling them Travis didn't draw the line, and Crockett died trying to surrender....make that movie and you'll only need a egg timer to find out how long you'll be making big budget movies in L.A.

[Rightly Biased]

Heres what I have to say about messing with Texas History... Don't

[Frohickey]

Just saw The Alamo, with John Wayne, Richard Widmark, and Laurence Harvey. I loved it. Wonder if the 2003 version will be better.

[Rightly Biased]

My grandfather was in the origional Alamo with The Duke he was one of the Tennesse Volunteers he said "it do" more in once.The Duke rode my Moms horse. I sure hope this one holds to most of the historical accuracy if thats at all possible.

[jocon307]

"Was Annette Benning OK in it? She was so good in "The Grifters"

The Wall Street Journal reviewer described her preformance as "glowing". I told hubby this and he said "Annette Benning is always glowing." He's a fan, who knew?

Everyone was great in "The Grifters", but what a really,really brutal movie it was. Shows one the price crime takes on one's soul, that's for sure.

[Finalapproach29er]

How can any of you be serious? Mexico has won. 35 Million and counting. I can't help but laugh when the I see the tough Texan attitude, but the President won't lift a finger to stop the invasion. Instead he panders to the Latino voting block.

If anything keeps me from voting for W , its the issue of immigration. Mexico has its southern border sealed shut! I feel like a foreigner in my own country. There is nothing Conservative about open borders. Nothing makes me more angry that this subject. The Bush-bots don't see the irony of a Texan presiding over Mexico's reconqering of land we claimed from the war. Cruz Bustamente will win California also. It's a total disgrace. Don't remember the Alamo, remember California. That's my view, I'm done ranting.

[Rightly Biased]

I'll let Sam Houston answer for me...

[MEG33]

Good

[ErnBatavia]

How are they gonna fit a Danny Glover character into the script? That's going to mandatory, you know.

[dennisw]

The Wall Street Journal reviewer described her performance as "glowing". I told hubby this and he said "Annette Benning is always glowing." He's a fan, who knew?

She was glowing in "Grifters" which is a noir kind of movie. Warren Beatty must have felt the same since he started having babies with her (and married) within two years. Annette must have been 31 when "Grifters" came out

Everyone was great in "The Grifters", but what a really, really brutal movie it was. Shows one the price crime takes on one's soul, that's for sure.

Brutal. A cautionary tale. But then the Bible and Grimm's have dark and bloody stories which one can learn from.

[dts32041]

More truth in your statemnets than the rino's care to admit.

Borders closed, illegals out, kennedy's made sober, (to much to ask I guess).

[dts32041]

Ron howard (Opie richie) directing a mouse movie, accurate give me a break, you won't hear any caterwalling about the director being evil crazed catholic like mel.

[MEG33]

Hope you feel better soon!

[The UnVeiled Lady]

I had heard it was going to be PC so they could sell more copies to Mexico and foreigners.

BUT then I talked to the caretaker of the REAL Alamo and the movie people were in many conferences with him and he SAYS it will be accurate.

But somehow I don't trust Hollywood anymore.

[Abcdefg]

Check out the discussion here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318974/board/nest/535003

[The Wizard]

Joe, Bowie's Slave

[discostu]

I saw a preview for this before Open Range (excellent inspite of Costner BTW), it looks GOOD. I think a lot of the people complaining about how it's portraying the Mexicans need to rewatch the original, while The Duke didn't go deep into portraying the Mexican army he did praise them for bravery and honorable methods of making war.

[discostu]

I think they're going to discuss why both sides were in the war. One of the tag lines in the preview was that both sides thought they were right. Ron Howard and John Wayne worked together a couple of times, The Duke was pretty fond of him and Ron always seem to understand what that really means when I've seen him discuss it. I think it'll come out well.

[4CJ]

I know it's not the same one but the headline just caught my eye

ROTF - but I must admit, if I didn't see the Alamo reference - I would have thought the same.

[rockfish59]

Richard Widmark had the most awesome rifle in the world in the original movie!

Bet this one's a dud!

I did like 'Seabiscuit!'

[rockfish59]

Gracias, amigo!