There are some historical topics that keep coming up in films. The Normandy Invasion, the crime waves of the 1920s and 30s, and the Battle of the Alamo. It's actually kind of amazing how this one historical event has been adapted and talked about more than others. There are so many that there's even a book that talks about it.
By the way, yes, I do have a copy of this book.
In 2004, we got the Ron Howard produced The Alamo (dir. John Lee Hancock) which to date is probably the most accurate version to date.
This obviously didn't sit well with some since this movie was a bomb at the box office and the critics didn't show favor towards it.
My guess for that is a lot of people wanted it to be like John Wayne's version where there's a ton of men in raccoon skin caps and Crockett goes down in, I guess you could say, a literal blaze of glory.
I would give a spoiler warning but, for one thing, this movie is nearly 60 years old and its based on an event that I think most people know about already.
Same thing with the '04 film. That's the closest to a spoiler warning you're going to get.
With the '04 film, we see our heroes acting uncertain about themselves and not always in the best light. The main highlight of this is with Billy Bob Thornton's portrayal of Crockett.
In the film, we see Thornton's version of David Crockett (he prefers that according to his friend and fellow volunteer Micajah Autry) able to put on his "King of the Wild Frontier" persona for the masses. But there's something eating away at him.
This scene basically summarizes the tragedy of David Crockett. He was a simple man from Tennessee who wanted a fresh start on things but could never escape it. At least in this film.
Sure, he's still a people-person and enjoys a good chat. But you get a sense that he's tired putting on that dime store version of himself.
The first time we see him in the movie is during a big party where there's also a show based around the legendary tales of Crockett starring an actor named James Hackett - played by the late Lynn Mathis in what would be his last feature film.
As the actor takes the stage he acknowledges Crockett's presence by saying "Good evening, Mr. Crockett." Crockett in return, playfully says, "Good evening, Mr. Crockett." A foreshadow to how the actual Crockett won't escape his folk hero status.
Even when he arrives in San Antonio he almost instantly gets put on the stage to chat and tell stories. He's asked for autographs and asked to recite lines from the aforementioned show that he had no involvement with.
Throughout the film, many shots almost give scenes at the Alamoa an almost stage-like vibe. This could possibly symbolize how the fort basically became the center stage for the Texas Revolution and a major symbol for the state.
Probably the biggest indication of this is during the final stand in the chapel when it's just Crockett and four other defenders.
At this point, Crockett and others have been trapped in the fort for 13 days and are exhausted and scared. Crockett, in particular, has a very uncertain look on his face but he looks down and sees the son of fellow defender Gregorio Esparza looking up at him. He looks at him almost like he wants Crockett to save them. So, he puts on his hero face one more time in this final moment.
But that was not his final moment. Later we see Crockett as the only surviving garrison member and even the last moments of his life just before his execution he's put on a stage. In those final moments, he caves in and becomes gives in to what people expect. He knows that he can't escape and that he never could escape.
Personally, I've grown to really appreciate this film and it truly is a shame that this movie did so poorly. It's stuff like this that made me like it more. I highly recommend this film, especially if you're a history buff - this may be the closest we get to a completely historically accurate Alamo film.
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