The Alamo (2004)

Texas revolutionaries have taken the Alamo following the Seige of Bexar in late 1835, and some leaders propose advancing to Matamoros to confront the Mexican Army.

Sam Houston (Dennis Quaid) balks because he doesn’t yet have much of an army to confront anyone. Besides, he thinks the Texans should form a government first, then win their revolution.

In fact, over drinks, Houston encourages old friend Jim Bowie (Jason Patric) to take his small force, retrieve the artillery from the Alamo, then destroy the old mission.

Of course, that never happens, partly because William Travis (Patrick Wilson) arrives to take charge of the regular forces there.

Soon, Travis, Bowie and Davy Crockett (Billy Bob Thornton) and their small forces find themselves in the Alamo, surrounded by the army of a vengeful Santa Ana.

They’re all hoping reinforcements will arrive in time to help fend off the attack they know is imminent. But there’s also fading hope that will happen.

Review:

A retelling of The Alamo story that cost more than $100 million to make and turned out to be one of the biggest bombs in box office history.

It’s not hard to understand why. The 1960 John Wayne version was far more rousing, far more moving and featured a more talented cast.

Here, only Billy Bob Thornton can do anything with his role, playing Davy as a man trying to live up to all the tall tales told about him.

We get familiar themes from past versions of the story. Travis trying — and struggling — to gain the respect of the men he’s commanding. Jim Bowie battling health issues as the battle approaches. Men making the brave choice when confronted with the option of fleeing or fighting.

The battle — which took six hours in real life but a month to film — occurs at nighttime here. Only an alert Crockett keeps the Texans from being overrun in their sleep.

Among those trapped in the Alamo, we don’t really get to know anyone other than Travis, Bowie and Crockett, and that’s one of the film’s failings. Susanna Dickinson, who survived the battle, gets one line of dialogue.

Oh, and this film doesn’t end with the battle. It continues until Houston defeats Santa Ana’s forces at San Jacinto. That doesn’t help the film either, thanks to an over-the-top and none-too-convincing performance by Dennis Quaid.

Bottom line: Worth watching once, but probably not a second time.

Directed by:
John Lee Hancock

Cast:
Dennis Quaid … Sam Houston
Billy Bob Thornton … Davy Crockett
Jason Patric … James Bowie
Patrick Wilson … William Travis
Emilio Echevarria … Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana
Jorid Molla … Juan Seguin
Leon Rippy … Sgt. William Ward
Tom Davidson … Col. Green Jameson
Marc Blucas … James Bonham
Robert Prentiss … Albert Grimes
Kevin Page … Micajah Autry
Joe Stevens … Mial Scurlock
Stephen Bruton … Capt. Almeron Dickinson
Laura Clifton … Susanna Dickinson
Richardo Chavira … Pvt. Gregorio Esparza
Steven Chester Prince … Lt. John Forsythe
Craig Erickson … Tom Waters
Nick Kokich … Daniel Cloud

Runtime: 137 min.

Memorable lines:

William Travis: “One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name.”

William Travis: “You and your men will defend the palisade.”
Davy Crockett: “Palisade? You talking about the tiny little bunch of sticks over there.”

Alamo defender: “They brought a band. Must figure they’ll have something to celebrate.”

William Travis: “Colonel, I became a little heated with you in front of your men. It was ill-advised and not terribly professional.”
Jim Bowie: “Don’t worry about it. Most of my men didn’t even understand the words you were using.”

Jim Bowie: “What happened to your cap? Did it crawl away?”
Davy Crockett: “I only wear it when it’s extra cold.”

Davy Crockett, after playing his fiddle and an anticipated bombardment doesn’t follow: “It’s amazing what a little harmony will do.”