From a Texas Historian's Eye

Rating: 9/10 (11 April 2004)

I am not a film critic but a historian with an interest in good films. As an Texas historian, the film struck me as accurate to the extent that an historical film can be. We do not know what was said when and by whom during the day to day lives of long dead men. We do know what others have said they said. We have transcriptions of speeches and we have diaries. Some historical evidence is conclusive, some is debateable. I do find that the conclusive parts of the fight for the Alamo is very accurate. I do find that individual conversations, eventhough fictional, are likely in their characterisations of the person. I especially find the character of Santa Anna well documented. Although we know less about Mr. Crockett than some of the other participants, I for one hope that this written character as superlatively played by Mr. Thornton is a viable interpretation of the man. One has the feeling of "being there" as the sets and landscapes mesh with the actual places. As an fledgling film critic, I give the film high marks with the proviso that some who abhor the study of history may not be as interested as I.