A good version of a great story

Rating: 5/10 (11 April 2004)

As a Texan, The Alamo is part of my heritage. We have heard the story from an early age and I also had the benefit of seeing the John Wayne version as an elementary school kid. This is not the Wayne version but it is a somewhat more realistic version. There is always some difficulty in making a movie which is historical in nature. It has to be entertaining while keeping to the facts. I think they were able to do both.
Billy Bob did a great job with Crockett. I don't believe I have ever seen Crockett played in such a way. He has always been a larger than life individual and Billy Bob's portrayal shows a more down to earth human side that is refreshing.
I like Dennis Quaid but I would not have cast him as Sam Houston. His portrayal was adequate but he does not bring to mind the Houston that I envision from my schooling. Someone like a younger Raymond Burr would have been more appropriate to me.
I am not sure how my fellow Americans will take to something that is part of Texas history. This is a good movie and tells a great story. Few Americans,other than the colonist, have the history of fighting for their independence. That does not make Texans any better, but it does give us a certain pride that few can understand. You can share in the that pride by seeing this movie.