Not surprised, not miffed, just not moved.

Rating: 3/10 (7 April 2005)

As an historical buff, born in San Antonio, read 16 books on the Alamo type of buff, I'd say that I'd give the movie just 3. No, there was not enough character development, (oh by the way, also an actor, writer, director as well so I do know about character development). As far as telling details about the characters, 'learned more about Travis'? Not much. When a character had to reveal any hint about themselves it came almost as a one-liner, e.g., Travis to Bowie, "I gamble, go to whores and leave my wife, but I never drink..." Second Example: Primarily because people probably wondered what the woman with Bowie was referring to. Bowie married the young daughter of a landowner in San Antonio. She supposedly was the sister of Bowie's wife who died. Scandal was that he was technically never unmarried from his former wife. And finally, a glint at Crockett's true self when he asked, 'the fightin's over, isn't it?' Crockett was a man of 50, down on his luck and recently voted out of congress, he didn't go to Texas to fight, he went to reclaim his position in politics, his position as a legend. He inadvertently helped his own legend by dying at the Alamo - talk about irony. In fact, most Texians were in Texas because they were just one step ahead of collectors, barristers and angry wives. So, granted, in the length of this movie there is just not enough time than to give the more than the dime store thumbnail sketch of the characters. I will say that compared to the Wayne fiasco this was miles ahead, light years in fact. Yes, there are quite a few facts that they got right; the questionable 'line in the dirt' was left out and Crockett surviving only to be executed. Travis' death came a little late, he was one of the first to die but then, I can get real picky when it comes to three things I know well, History, Texas (and the Alamo) and acting. One never forgets the impact of the first time that one steps into the Alamo and the feeling of the very 'heavy' air inside. And yes, Tejanos were very prominent in the development of Texas both as a Republic and then later as a state. And lastly, the Alamo defenders were not 'americans'. One brief example, if anyone heard, was the declaration in one of the debates that the 'citizens' of Texas were in violation of the constitution of 1824 that they agreed to by not only giving up their American citizenship but by becoming Mexcian nationals and swearing Alleghenies to Mexico. Oh and by the way tidepride, Bejar or Bexar is spelled correctly as presented. By the way, I also speak Spanish and some of the transliterations were incorrect.