The Alamo Films

I chose to watch the 2004 film the Alamo, and I have to say it was more accurate than anything else I have previously seen. It show the anglo settlers as they really were, strong willed volunteers who believed in maintaing the Texas territory. The portrayal of the main volunteers, Bowie, Travis, Crockett and Houston, were depicted as strong leaders not larger than life super heroes. The Tejanos were also seen as equals to the Anglos, which I have never before seen or heard of. The Mexican army was still portrayed as the evil force that threatened to take Texas. But in all I believe that the film was well balanced. Even to go as far as to show the Mexican army breaching the walls of the Alamo and slaughtering the defenders. It even went as far as to show Davey Crockett getting executed. I had actually watched the film years ago when it first hit theatres, and it still has a large impact now as it did then.

The Alamo

After arriving at the Alamo, I waited for the tour to begin. Once it got started they explained how the anglo settlers women and children were hiding inside the main mission. They later explained how the Tejanos and the Anglos fought together and defended the Alamo for 13 days. The Mexican Government was seen as the tyrants in the battle, but i got the impression that they were just trying to defend their territory. The tour was mainly centered around the volunteer defenders and their stories of valor, not much was said about the tejanos. They dont really say how the men were insufficiently equipped, or how by the end of the battle most of the men were slain down. In all I think the tour could have told a little more about the entirety of the battle not just the Texas side.