The Alamo (2004)

This was generally not bad. I've studied the Alamo in books. The main characters were okay, with Jason Patric excellent as Jim Bowie, but the actor playing Sant Anna, I felt was miscast, and not the dynamic commander you expected. Though meant as entertainment, the Alamo compound itself jarred my eye being wrongly laid out, but only because I know some of the history, which does work against you in such a film. If only they had it a bit more like the Alamo compound used in John Wayne's epic. I felt after the battle ended at the Alamo the film should have ended, instead of trying to follow on to San Jacinto, as it was it these scenes, the lack of numbers in extras than those who were actually there was very evident. One man equal to ten or even twenty men may work in wargaming, but not in a film. As for the demise of Crockett as shown, wasn't really needed. Anyway, I prefer this version to that made in 1960.

THe Characters in the movie was probably the best part of the movie. The Alamo building itself was incorrectly built. If you look at the one in the movie, and see the the steeple isn't there. Even Hancock said he did this on purpose. Also Davey Crockett, was executed like they showed in the movie, it is documented though all different history books and first hand from the remaining people who were released from the Alamo, that he stood up fighting, swinging his gun like a club. Then in the battle of San Jacinto, you see the Texan army advancing with a US flag and not a Texas Flag. Also, the Mexican army was resting that day, in the movie it shows them in ready position to attack the advancing troops. If you are into history, this is not a movie to see. Incorrect information, a little research would provide you with what was correct and what is not. Don't waste your time watching this.

So far, The Alamo (2004) is the most accurate film made about this episode in the history of Mexico and Texas. But it also is full of unforgivable historical mistakes. Many things were changed since the fully Americanized 1960 the Alamo. Is the first time it is shown a preconceived plan from the Unites States to revolutionize Texas, but this film is still very much an Americanized story. They omitted again to almost all fighters in the Alamo and the Revolution of Texas were illegal immigrants and they are still shown as righteous heroes, even with the music in the scenes. Santa Anna was a son of a bitch and that if it is perfectly represented in this film. 1960's The Alamo was 200% Americanized, this one is 85%.Mistakes: *They use the word Texas all the time, even when they show the name of the cities, but Texas was not Texas in 1836. It was the State of Coahuila y Texas. *Santa Anna was not a dictator in 1836, he was constitutional elected president. He ruled Mexico as dictator from 1853 to 1855. *The Mexican Constitution of 1824 was not voided by Santa Anna, it was changed by a Conservative Congress 9 months after the battle of the Alamo. *In Mexico never existed coins with the face of Santa Anna, even when he was dictator, never ever. *The order to kill all the rebels, was an order from the Mexican Congress, not Santa Anna's. Santa Anna just ran anti-piracy law issued by Congress. *Santa Anna's character is an old, when he was 42 years in 1836. *The Mexican army was asleep when Houston attacked; they were not on guard as is shown in this film.Maybe my opinion is not worth much, because I cannot feel sorry for some people who fought for dismember my country after all my country gave to them (land in credit, no taxes, bilingual laws, etc.) if they had remained in their country they had not been killed by an army that only was defending its country. And for those who do not understand, just imagine a group of illegal immigrants along with some legal, creating a revolution in any U.S. state in order to annexing that state to Mexico. Can you understand me now?

OK, I know there are a lot of positive reviews for this film, but in all honesty it was very disappointing: No musical score of any value evoking at least some emotional response, very bad script, predictable shots and editing, and the kicker, contrary to the reviewers who claimed historical accuracy, the wrong flag!!! Come on people, I have seen more interesting docudramas on the History Channel! The only redeeming value of this atrocity and insult to the memory of these heroes are the actors who are seen here so painfully trying to infuse some emotion and poignancy into this DOA high school production. The John Wayne version may have been a little "Hollywood", but at least it had an impeccable and moving musical score. One could feel the story in the music. The only thing this new version's score moves is a pedantic and boring composition with the tempo of molasses. Please, the whole world can't be wrong, it bombed because it was a bomb, and not in the good sense.