BATTLE OF THE ALAMO (1996, TV, Discovery Channel documentary, Directed by Paul Wagner, narrated by Hal Holbrook) Available from most video outlets.

Even more compelling than the documentary created for THE REAL WEST series, this film benefits from the solid narrative of Hal Holbrook. He gives an intelligent reading of a script that provides not only details of the siege, but background information about weaponry and living conditions of the time.

Using Living History Interpreters in many sequences who dissolve in and out of shots of the fort and town (shot at Alamo Village) creates a sense of ghostliness that is entirely appropriate to the narrative. It is as if the ghosts still live to carry on the memory as we remember the Alamo.

The documentary is summarized by one very intelligent remark near the end which tries to sum up the relevance of the Alamo story for today. That is that the Alamo is the creation myth of Texas. Of course it is not a myth, although many of the details have become legendary.

The Discovery Channel’s THE BATTLE OF THE ALAMO is a necessary addition to any self-respecting Alamo library.

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THE ALAMO (1996, TV, American Heritage documentary, A&E and the History Channel, directed by Arthur Drooker, narrated by Tom Berenger) Available from most video outlets.

Made the same year as the Discovery Channel’s fine film, this is the definitive Alamo documentary to date. Although it starts off covering the same ground as the version made for THE REAL WEST (indeed using the same clips and style) it grows beyond the restrictions of that presentation because of a longer running time which allows room for greater development.

For example, the same re-enactors from the Discovery Channel version are on hand and are given more to do, especially in the vivid recreation of portions of the siege. One passage describes the blood-curdling, inhuman shrieks of the attacking Mexican soldiers as they engaged in the bloody hand-to-hand combat near the end of the battle. Distorted images of screaming soldiers help to reinforce this unsettling description on the viewer.

Another contributing factor to this documentary’s success is that the history of the Alamo after the siege up until modern times is explored and proves almost as interesting as the original battle. The fate of the Alamo mission and long barracks was subject for much speculation before extreme measures were taken on the part of some passionate people to preserve them as historical monuments. The controversy over the Alamo as a symbol of freedom and liberty on the one hand and as a testament to racism on the other is also examined. The battle of the Alamo continues.

Similarly the acknowledgement that while the Alamo films made so far have all tampered with history to some extent, they nonetheless have figured prominently in our appreciation and understanding of the significance of the Alamo. If nothing else, these cinematic representations have conveyed the spirit of the Alamo story and are worthwhile and enduring for that reason alone.

Produced in 1996, the year Happy Shahan passed away, this is the first film shot at Alamo Village at the Shahan Ranch that acknowledges Richard L. Curilla in the end credits. It is very fitting then that Richard’s video, ALAMO… THE NEW DEFENDERS should also be included in this retrospect of Alamo material.

You will definitely want to add this two-tape set to your collection of Alamo movies.

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TWO FOR TEXAS (1998, TV, Directed by Rod Hardy, starring Kris Kristofferson and Scott Bairstow) Available from most video outlets.

This recent television film is yet another fictional tale integrating historical figures and events to give the storyline added colour. It’s a good approach in this case as it allows the viewer to connect with two men who become members of Sam Houston’s army and fight it out with Santa Anna at San Jacinto.

The Alamo battle is not shown here although we do get to meet Jim Bowie (Peter Coyote) prior to the siege. While not the most accurate portrayal, Coyote enjoys himself and captures something of the larger-than-life quality that Bowie must have had.

The aftermath of the battle is shown, including Mexican camp followers piling the bodies for burning on the funeral pyres that Santa Anna ordered built to dispose of the defenders’ remains. While it is highly improbable that a couple of Texicans (the two protagonists, Kris Kristofferson and Scott Bairstow) would show up so soon afterwards, the premise gives them a nice opportunity to discover Bowie’s body and rescue his famous knife as well as to interact with the traumatized Mrs. Dickinson.

Tom Skerritt is too old to accurately play Sam Houston, but he does infuse him with enough character to make him interesting. He looks rather like an elder Mennonite farmer with the beard he sports, or at best a Robert E. Lee clone, but then the film is giving us the historical personages merely as grounding for the fictitious story.

The battle of San Jacinto is perhaps given its best treatment to date, with suggestions of the kind of savagery that must surely have occurred when the Texicans were finally able to unleash their vengeful fury on the Mexican army. Apparently Houston, when he became aware of the complete thrashing his men were giving the Mexicans, tried to stop the indiscriminate slaughter. A soldier answered back ‘Sir, if Jesus Christ Himself were to descend from Heaven and tell me to stop shooting yellowbellies, I wouldn’t!’ For most of us, the Texicans were the good guys, but war is still hell.

TWO FOR TEXAS is a well-made, colourful story that benefits from its interaction with the main events of the Alamo story and the struggle for Texas independence. It’s a fine complement to other Alamo films and will fit nicely into any collection.

ALAMO… THE NEW DEFENDERS (1999, Directed by Richard L. Curilla)

Available exclusively from Alamo Village Trading Post, P.O. Box 528 F.M. 674, Brackettville, TX, 78832, (tel.) 830-563-9768, (fax) 830-563-9226

Upon visiting Alamo Village and entering the Trading Post, you will find many souvenirs, books, pictures and other items of interest. If you are a tourist you will purchase postcards or mugs. If you are a fan of Alamo movies you will opt for a poster or a T-shirt. If you are deeply interested in the history of the Alamo story as well as the films, then you would be well inclined to buy books and, if you are smart, this video.

First up, let me say I do not get royalties for plugging anything! In fact, when I first saw this video for sale in the Trading Post I was somewhat skeptical about it since I’d never heard of it before. But I was assured by the staff that it was informative and well done. Then having the opportunity to meet and chat with Richard Curilla, the writer/director of this project and the on-site Alamo historian and guide, I became convinced his video would be highly interesting and educational. I’m glad to report that it is all of that and more.

This is a video, not a film. Video does not look as professional as film. Richard had no crew to operate lights or reflectors, no Art Director to dress the sets, no make-up artist to beautify his subjects. He did it all himself. The technical limitations do show, but he presents his material with a sure hand and an invested interest in the subject matter that is infectious.

ALAMO… THE NEW DEFENDERS is essentially a documentary and chronicles the three day retreat of a special group of people who call themselves Living History Interpreters. These are folks whose passion for a specific period and place in history (in this case the Alamo at the time of the siege) is so all-encompassing that they live the parts of the historical personages they are representing to such a degree that they eat the same food, wear the same clothes and deny themselves any modern conveniences during the course of their retreat. Some of these same people were employed in the documentaries mentioned above.

Because Alamo Village is a prime tourist attraction and educational tool, this retreat was a tremendous opportunity to introduce children to the history of Texas in 1836 and the people who lived at that time. Living History Interpreters interact with visitors and provide a personal touch, explaining the premise of their retreat and asking everyone to ‘pretend’ with them. Once the ground rules are established, characters speak in the first person. It is almost eerie to be among people so committed to getting it right.

This video follows both Alamo defenders and Mexican soldiers during the siege and seeks their comments and observes their actions. It is the same premise that was used in the classic BBC documentary CULLODEN in the mid-sixties, whereby the camera served to plunge viewers into a ‘you are there’ scenario and followed both the Scots and the English before and during one of the most horrible, bloody battles in the history of the United Kingdom. The experience of that program (which had a full crew) was visceral and unforgettable, and was followed a year later by another program by the same team called THE WAR GAME that depicted a future war rather than an historical episode. It was equally effective and won further critical acclaim.

Richard seems less ambitious in his undertaking but still involves the viewer, though in a more low-key way. The interpreters are not actors but they are quite convincing as their various characters. When a Mexican soldier tells you that Santa Anna has not provided for medical supplies in this campaign, you believe him when he tells you that the soldiers all agree it is better to be killed outright than to be wounded. And as a result of such observations from participants on both sides of the conflict, the countdown to the final battle begins to unfold a genuine sense of drama. These are living, breathing people here and the stakes are high.

It is at this point that a practical, necessary and highly effective switch in presentation occurs. Using a diorama model, Richard treats the viewer to a three-dimensional table-top outline of what happened in the final Alamo battle. Mexican battle tactics are shown and the movements of both sides are clearly illustrated. Informed narration mixed with battle sound effects give a surprisingly stirring impression of this bloody conflict. The juxtaposition of the every day lives of the people we have just met from both sides with the clinical bird’s eye view of the battle works very well. Had we just been shown the diorama without knowing the people the video would have been educational at best, boring at worst. As presented, it actually succeeds in involving the viewer, despite the technical limitations on hand.

One simply cannot compare this video with professionally produced dramas or documentaries with large budgets and all the inherent resources. Like a number of the other presentations reviewed here one must simply take this video on its own modest terms. It is the result of a passion to share the Alamo story, make it meaningful to people today and introduce a younger generation to this important historical incident.

There is nothing pretentious about this video. In fact, Richard jokingly calls it ALAMO… THE NUDE DEFENDERS. Certainly he had no budget, but his subjects did have clothes! It is but one of many things to be thankful for in this informative, satisfying program.

Alamo fans will appreciate the original perspective presented here. It is an important addition to any Alamo library.

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ALAMO (2003, Directed by John Lee Hancock, starring Billy Bob Thornton, Jason Patric and Dennis Quaid)

This is the new Alamo film that begins shooting in January of 2003. They have chosen not to shoot at Alamo Village, opting for a new set, historically accurate down to the last nail. ALAMO purports to set the record straight on a number of issues and will be told faithfully according to the available source material provided by historical records and contemporary scholarship.

For the complete low-down on this upcoming film, visit www.thealamofilm.com. This fascinating web site will intrigue all Alamo enthusiasts.

Jon Ted Wynne