The Alamo (2004)

Excellent movie about Texas independence from Mexico and the heroes who made it happen! Billy Bob Thornton was surprisingly good as Davey Crockett (I was interested in seeing this movie for that reason alone--I thought this was a funny choice but he was excellent in this role. Jason Patrick also was good as Jim Bowie and Dennis Quaid proved once more to be a versatile actor by his fine portrail of Sam Houston. I thought this movie was better than the John Wayne Alamo of the 1960's -more accurate in showing Travis death (a bullet to the head early in the final siege on day 13) and also showing Crockett's capture and execution (most historians believe he and a few of his men were captured and executed shortly after the Alamo fell.) I also liked how the movie continued after the Alamo fell and told how Santa Anna was finally defeated. It is a good family movie to see --very educational and historically accurate. The critics have bashed this movie for reasons unknown. Several people who left the theatre the same time as me said almost in unison -"I can't understand it, the critics ripped this movie and it was really good" --The Alamo didn't concentrate on any one central character and didn't throw in a ridiculous love story to appeal the masses like "Titanic", "Pearl Harbor" and "Enemy at the Gates". I guess this is an essential element with today's critics because if a movie doesn't have it, the movie gets ripped!! --This movie deserves a much better rating than the expert critics gave it.

Fmovies: I had been anticipating the opening of this movie for quite some time and saw it on opening day. I've followed Patrick Wilson's career go from Broadway, to small screen, and was excited to see his big screen debut. I was expecting the film to not be that good, just because of tired subject matter, directorial/actor issues, etc. but I absolutely loved it! Besides the beautiful set and costumes, the actors were great. The general of the Mexican army was positively sinister-such a wonderful interpretation and performance of that character! The script was really good, considering all that it had to tie together and communicate in a short period of time- both the battle scenes and normal scenes were woven together very well. It also had some great one-liners for unexpected comic relief- especially Billy Bob Thorton's character, Davey Crockett. And the music was fantastic! Maybe it's my down-home, Midwestern upbringing, but I thought it was really good and strongly encourage everyone to see it. Don't listen to bad reviews/people who haven't seen it/people who think only Texans like it/whatever...It's a great movie and worth the ticket!

I've read all the criticism associated with this film and I think some of it is a little unwarranted. As an Alamo buff my judgement of this film is definitely biased, but I will offer my opinion anyway. I think "The Alamo" is a very good Alamo film, definitely the best interpertation ever made about the epic battle. I loved John Wayne's film, but this movie has a more realistic approach. Some people criticize the film about certain scenes such as the Crockett's death, his fiddler on the roof scene and other tidbits that took place inside the Alamo compound. Some people try to use those scenes as proof that the movie contains historical inaccuracies. The truth is there will never be a complete historically accurate Alamo film because we really don't know, nor ever will know what really took place. Any director is going to create his view of th battle. I also think is the best movie ever made about Crockett. Billy Bob Thornton captured the personality of the real Crockett. It doesen't matter if the fiddler on the roof scene never took place. That scene by itself captures the true spirit of David Crockett. A man that is more of an entertainer than wild frontiersman, an entertainer so talented that he can entertain the Mexican Army and temporarliy keep them from firing their cannons. We can see his charisma shine and we understand why he was probably elected to Congress. People make a big deal about how Crockett, Bowie and Travis died at the Alamo. Does it really matter? They were there until the end. Thats what counts. I do believe the movie could have been better. It definitely suffered from editing and even a little star power to carry certain scenes. I think the director's cut will serve the movie justice and I believe over time people will have more respect for this movie. I don't beleive it is a perfect movie by any means at all. I do believe that it has much more to offer than what people are giving it credit. Again I'm huge fan of the duke, but I view his film as more of a John Wayne movie than an Alamo movie and there is nothing wrong with that. I just beleieve this Alamo is closer to the true story.

The Alamo fmovies. I saw this movie on opening day with high expectations. I am somewhat of an Alamo buff and wanted to see the event portrayed better than ever before. And it certainly was. The historical aspect was perfect. I've read up on the Alamo before, and all the details were accurate: the clothing, guns, uniforms,the way the battle unfolded, and even the weather. The acting, especially Billy Bob Thornton's, was excellent. Almost Oscar worthy. The casting was just as good. Each actor fits their rolls with almost uncanny perfection. Although Hancock isn't quite Spielberg, he is exceptional because he did a good job on the film, and he put a LOT of care into it. (no props, stage lighting, a 50 acre set, not to mention historically perfect)

The Alamo is no doubt a controversial film. Those who slam it seem to revert to the fact that it should have been directed by Ron Howard, and been more gory, glamorized, and shouldn't have been so compressed (the original version was over 3 hours). More Hollywood, is basically what they're saying. It's these same people who compare it to John Wayne's version, saying it should have focused on artistic merits rather than history. Personally, I don't know if these people would know the whole PURPOSE of the Alamo if it ran over them with a steamroller. Hancock's vision was to make an Alamo that actually had some history to it. He wanted to tell the story right for once. The way I see it, The Alamo has as many if not more artistic merits of John Wayne's version, but adds historical accuracy and tells it true, without sacrifcing the drama.

The acting, casting, and directing are great, the historical value superb, and the battles (especailly on widescreen) are breathtaking. Sure, it would have been better with more scenes and blood, but this is the best Alamo movie I've ever seen, and a good film anyway. Not perfect, but pretty darn close. 9/10 Stars.

Epic western upon the state of Texas's fight for independence in 1836 . The usual band of diverse personalities including Davy Crockett (Billy Bob Thorton) , Jim Bowie (Jason Patrick) , Colonel Travis (Patrick Wilson) defend a small fort against very big Mexican raiding party commanded by general Santa Anna (Emilio Echevarria) . It's until the spectacular crushing spotlight of total slaughter and revenge executed by Sam Houston (Dennis Quaid) when the movie comes alive at all . Previously meeting final tragedy , they contend with each other and finally understand the meaning of life and come to respect each other . It was a troubled issue but with millions dollars budget weighing heavy in the conscience of the producer Ron Howard and director John Hancock led to a real flop and didn't had the wished box office . Big budget production features an impeccable musical score by Carter Burwell and Billy Bob plays the violin , besides it has an incredible number of extras for the Mexican army .

The film is correctly based on historic events . The stalwart but tragic defense has become one of American history's most often repeated legends,although historical research has revealed a few facts that go unmentioned.For instance,Sam Houston,commander in chief of the Texas forces,never felt that the crumbling mission could stand up to a siege,and ordered frontiersman Jim Bowie to destroy.He didn't ,however,and rescinded the order and sent attorney turned colonel William B.Travis to defend it.The force that remained in the mission the date the siege began,is estimated at between 182 .Of these less than 20 were actually Texans,the rest including Bowie and another frontier legend,Davy Crookett were volunteers.Early all of them believed that reinforcements were only a short time away.Santa Anna Launched a pre-dawn attack.To the strains of ¨deguello¨a battle march indicating that no quarter would be given,or no prisoners taken,some 1800 Mexicans troops stormed the fort.They were thrown back by the cannon and rifles of the defenders,they rushed again,and were repulsed a second time.Eventually Santa Anna sent another wave of troops who broke the outer defenses and forced the Texans to retreat,fighting hand to hand.When the fighting was over,there were no survivors among the defenders.The myth that the garrison fought to the last man ,however isn't quite accurate,since the evidence indicates that Davy Crockett and several others were captured and possibly tortured,then executed.That they died bravely has never been disputed.William Travis who at least according to legend,invited all who would stay and die with him to cross the line in the dirt,fell near a cannon at the north wall.And Jim Bowie,already deathly ill from a sickness that had recently claimed wife and children,fought from his sickbed near the main gate.Like many others among the defenders Bowie was armed with the formidable hunting knife named for him.The legendary defense served as a rallying point for the beleaguered Texas.Although Santa Anna ,who lost at least 600 of some 3000 troops against a force of less than 200,referred as a small affair,the valor of the defenders gave the surviving Texan troops something to remember and thus they did,six weeks later at San Jacinto,but a new battle cry had been added to the annals of American history:¨Remember the Alamo¨

Having kept an eye on this film since before it began production, I have been amazed at the viciousness of the invective that has been hurled its way. Reviews, both professional and amateur, have tended to offer viewpoints whose stunning ignorance have been nearly matched by their astonishing arrogance. This film has suffered much at the hands of pencilneck journalists who just couldn't wait to write some endlessly clever variation on 'forget the Alamo.' Precious few, Roger Ebert chief among them, seem to have understood the film.

Much of the vitriol is because it is a Disney film; while much is because it has to do with Texas. Both, largely because of their successes, seem to attract critics who allow decency and fairness to fall victim to their vindictiveness. I fear, however, that we live in such a cynical age, that the notion of men voluntarily giving up their lives in defense of freedom is so difficult to comprehend that it is met with derision.

Disney did not help matters with their poor handling of this film's publicity. I attend many movies, and I saw the trailer once. Where was the media blitz, as Touchstone did with Ladder 49? A predatory press gleefully playing up pre-release difficulties was met largely with silence. Disney seemed to have had no faith in the film, or at least no clue as to how to market it. Their loss. Literally. Fortunately, their campaign for the DVD was somewhat better.

As for the film itself, it is the most historically accurate version of the Alamo story – though that isn't saying much. For those for whom historical accuracy is a litmus test, there is still much over which to nitpick. But, as is the responsibility of a popular culture interpretation of historical events, director Hancock fully captures the spirit of what was going on at that particular time and in that particular place. Hancock and crew did a stellar job in lovingly recreating the world of 1836 Texians – American and European immigrants, as well as native Tejanos – uniting in revolt against an oppressive regime in an effort to gain independence, as well as a sovereign government attempting to enforce law and order on its frontiers. The principals, the tempestuous Houston, the celebrated Crockett, the fearsome Bowie, and the young, unproven Travis are portrayed as real humans rather than as demigods. Each has his obstacles to overcome, and each shows significant growth as their fates are played out. For those who make the ultimate sacrifice, their heroism is made all the more real by this emphasis on their humanity. The actors, particularly Thornton in an Oscar-worthy role, as well as Patric, Wilson, and the marvelous Emilio Echevarría as Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, are to be commended for their interpretations of these enigmatic characters. A major bonus of the DVD is the commentary by professional historian Stephen L. Hardin and military adviser Alan C. Huffines -- particularly useful for those who cannot wrap their minds around the differences between popular culture, history, and art.

Hancock has provided us with a thoughtful, intelligent, deliberate, and often subtle film for adults, certainly an explanation for the film's lack of box-office success. Even Burwell's score suffers from these 'shortcomings.' Comparisons to John Wayne's 1960 The Alamo are as inevitable as they are pointless, but anyone expecting that film's heavy-handedness may be disappointed. It is like comparing 2004's The Passion of the Christ to 1961's King of Kings –