" You asked for a vote, now that you lost, you want to change the rules "

Rating: 9/10 (23 July 2009)

According to a historical source, 'The first casualty of war is always the truth.' Concerning this story, it's amusing to learn despite best efforts, the pertinent facts continue to be forgotten, disregarded or simply ignored. The 2004 film is called " The Alamo " the events concerning the battle at the old mission gets a face lift and some of the actual facts are finally included in the story. In this updated version, the hero of the Alamo, David Crockett is very ably played by Billy Bob Thornton. Taking a more modest approach to the actual figure from Tennessee, he allows the myth to dissipate and replaced with a more humble, introverted and practical character. Jason Patric plays James Bowie with a sincere sympathetic and vulnerable veiner which allows the audience to recognize the famous knife-fighter as a man conscious of his own mortality. Patrick Wilson is William Barret Travis, the prideful boisterous and often antagonistic lawyer given command of the tiny mission. With a handful of regular soldiers, he accepts the doomed post with the full knowledge his was only a holding action and without help not expected to hold. Dennis Quaid plays Sam Houston and seen as a self-determined leader of a republic torn from a poorly governed country. The fact of Crockett's death is as close to the literal record written by Jose Pena. The movie is structured well and when the actual facts are imposed, the fiery six hour assault, destruction of the crumbling adobe building and the killing of the all volunteer force of 186 men becomes a fitting tribute to the men and their cause. The reason why this movie will become a Classic will be due to the cast, it's director and the fact someone tried to tell the truth and that stands of it's own accord. ****