Not bad

Rating: Null/10 (9 April 2004)

A BIG step up from the 1960 picture that was more "Hollywood" than "History. In defense from other reviews ... the "line being drawn" is Hollywood - not history. It never happened. Also, Travis was only 26 at the time of the battle. Bowie was 50 - so in the film, I think it is Bowie who is too young for the role. I think the film looks great, and quite accurate; however, one of the things that bothered me was that it seemed to have gone through some serious editing - it did not build suspense (as in Zulu, or even the Wayne "Alamo,"), and I did not get the feeling they were holding out for 13 days. The use of subtitles (more than usual, to change scenes), makes me wonder if this film was cut down for running time reasons. Billy Bob Thornton gives us the best characterization of David Crockett ever presented on film. Having just read the bio on Crockett, "The Frontiersman," I was amazed at how he brought the man to life to the point where he fit every image I had in my head after reading the bio. Remarkable. I thought the final battle was over too fast in the movie, and again, I didn't feel the "tension" leading up to it. BUT - it is still a FANTASTIC film that brings another chapter of American History to life on the screen; and I think many people will have new respect for the Alamo.