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The Alamo
Stars: Dennis Quaid, Billy
Bob Thornton, Jason Patric, Patrick Wilson, Emilio Echevarrea, and Jordi
Molla
Director: John Lee Hancock
Scriptwriters: Leslie Bohem,
Stephen Gaghan and John Lee Hancock
Music: Carter Burwell
Touchstone Pictures
Running Time: two hours
and twenty minutes
Rating: R
Here comes another film with
a gigantic battle scene. This time, instead of the medieval Timeline,
Japan’s Last Samurai or the Civil War’s Cold Mountain, the
setting is soon-to-be-Texas and defending the Alamo against General Santa
Ana’s invading army. Director John Lee Hancock puts viewers inside and
out of the legendary mission/fort as Santa Ana’s army slowly moves forward
and the group of American defenders is REALLY put on the defensive.
It is the end of February
1836 and the Alamo is the last bastion of defense for an entire area of
future Texas. Young Lt. Col. Travis (Patrick Wilson) is given temporary
command of the mission while the regular officer goes on leave. Davy Crockett
(Thornton) and Jim Bowie (Jason Patric) arrive at the Alamo, each with
their particular brand of bravado. Santa Ana’s (Emilio Echevarrea) army
surprisingly advances through the winter and surrounds the Alamo, which
is actually a Catholic mission. Riders are secretly sent out to ask Sam
Houston for help (Dennis Quaid riding a white horse, and looking as though
he could chew horseshoes), but Houston is quietly reluctant. At first,
the skirmishes at the Alamo offers small victories for each side, but the
Americans realize they are in a losing fight.
“Remember the Alamo” has
been a battle cry since 1836 and the script gives heroic moments to each
of the stars. There are sentimental farewells, highlighted by Carter Burwell’s
music, and rousing speeches about courage. Unfortunately, this happens
many times during the film.
The Alamo really
is a small building and one has to admire the courage and fortitude of
the American force in defending this spot. They were vastly out-numbered
and held their ground for 13 days, from February 23 to March 6.
This reviewer thought the
film was well done, and using one example, the camera work brings the audience
right into the confined fighting scenes. Though the script gives heroic
proportions to main characters, it brings the man out behind the Davey
Crockett myth as portrayed by Billy Bob Thornton. None of the main characters---Crockett,
Bowie and Travis---are perfect, but pull together to fight against overwhelming
odds. Casting is good, especially Thornton and Jason Patric as Jim Bowie.
This film brings an important part of southwestern American history to
light.
Copyright 2004 Marie Asner
Submitted 4/12/04
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