New "ALAMO" Movie

P

PlaceKnives

Banned
Joined
Apr 7, 2003
Messages
933
The most expensive film in the history of Texas just wrapped, the re-make of "The Alamo". It had a 90 million dollar budget and was directed by a native Texan as well.

It's already being called the most historically acurate movie on the Alamo ever filmed, and one of the most acurate films ever made, period. Apparently they used in excess of 25,000 extras! I hope it lives up to the hype.

Just wondering who made the knives for the film? Afterall the likes of Davey Crockett and Jim Bowie are in the film...

Davey Crockett is being played by Billy Bob Thornton, and there's early talk of Oscar.
 
Billy Bob Thornton! That is an insult to the memory of Crockett and a slap in the face to John Wayne, Fess Parker, Brian Keith and anyone else who ever donned a coonskin in the role.

I've done a great deal of research on both The Alamo and Crockett. It will be interesting to see if the portrayal is accurate. If it is, the movie will be an abject failure. Neither The Alamo or Crockett were much the stuff of Hollywood.

It may have been the least accurate portrayal, but John Wayne's version was by far the best ever made. Wayne pursued the making of his Alamo movie for years before the first scene was shot. As we know, though, Hollywood don't make them like they used to. The Wayne's, Heston's and Boone's are no more and their like will never be seen again.

As for knives, it will be interesting to learn who makes them and if they approach accuracy. If so, how?
 
My understanding of the history of that event is that to portray it accurately, you will make the most unflatering movie about Americans. Particularly Boone, Crocket and Bowie. They were not exactly model citizens.
 
Travis,
Gotta differ with you on this, buddy! We won't know till the movie's out, but I have a feeling Billy Bob will do a great job as Crockett. Thornton is a chameleon who subsumes himself in the character he's playing--look at his work in "Monster's Ball," "A Simple Plan," and "Sling Blade," and you see a totally different person in each one. I think he'll have the acting ability and presence to bring out a good interpretation of Davy.

Another note on Thornton--I remember a Fox News report during Operation Iraqi Freedom, when Billy Bob and the Alamo film crew heard that our troops in the Middle East were in dire need of baby wipes (for bathing and cleaning, due to the shortage of water). Billy Bob and the Alamo crew scoured the nearest town, bought out every baby wipe they could find, and shipped the entire lot to the Middle East. Somehow, this story just seems to be in keeping with the spirit of the Alamo...

Re: John Wayne--I'm as big a fan of the Duke as any man (have re-watched "Rio Bravo" and "The Sons of Katie Elder" more times than I can recall), but I think his version of the Alamo legend was the worst...Bloated, overly melodramatic, and as a director--well, Wayne was a great actor! ;)

I loved the Fess Parker/Disney rendition (which, of course, focused on Davy Crockett), but IMHO, the best Alamo movie to date was "The Last Command," with Sterling Hayden as Jim Bowie and Richard Carlson as William Travis. This was a lavish production that was also pretty accurate, incorporating the historical facts that were known at the time (like Col. Travis dying with a single shot through the head, and Bowie fighting to the end with a brace of pistols and his Bowie knife).

Speaking of Bowie--it'll be interesting to see Jason Patric's rendition. And, of course, we all can't wait to see him wielding his legendary Bowie knife! :)

-- JFrame
 
I have a little info on this subject...the movie was filmed in part not too far from my house. I know Ernie Self is one knife maker that made some knives for the movie. He is a former president of the PKA. There may be other makers that also made knives for the film.
 
Donno about anything else, but 25000 extras sounds really unusual these days. In most of the cases CGI will handle the job, and it's cheaper as well.
 
I have to agree on Billy Bob Thornton, at least at this stage of Crockette's life.

Crockette was 49 at the Alamo, he'd been riding for weeks gathering volunteers from Kentucky and there was little food at the mission.

Even as a Congressman, Crockette wore traditional buckskins, most likely to continue playing his role. And he was a character, he even bought votes.

There's a story that he had a coat made for campaigning, a leather coat with two inside pockets, each could hold a 'peck a piece.' One side help whiskey, one side plugs of tobacco. He'd offer a voter a drink, to which the man had to 'spit out his chaw.' Then Crockette offered him a fresh plug, so he 'could right on a'chawing.'

I don't think this derides these brave men.
 
Originally posted by TAutry
Billy Bob Thornton! That is an insult to the memory of Crockett and a slap in the face to John Wayne, Fess Parker, Brian Keith and anyone else who ever donned a coonskin in the role.
Click to expand...

So, Travis, maybe you'd prefer Tom Cruise or , better yet, Canoe Reeves (spelling intentional)? :p
 
Yeah, I heard that Stallone and Schwartzeneggar were originally cast to be Bowie and Crocket. That would be weird, but I bet the movie would be full of cool knives!:eek:
 
Originally posted by Wunderbar
Yeah, I heard that Stallone and Schwartzeneggar were originally cast to be Bowie and Crocket. That would be weird, but I bet the movie would be full of cool knives!:eek:
Click to expand...

Weird isn't the half of it. I can see it now. Jim Bowie, hollers, "Yo', Davy. Where youse goin?" and Crockett answers, over his shoulder, "I'll be baack..."

Sorry, couldn't resist. :p
 
I believe Jack Crain was contacted about making knives for the film, but had to turn them down because of his already huge workload. That would have been perfect with Jack being a Texan who's a knifemaker and makes killer reproductions of the Bart Moore Bowie as well as the Sweet Bowie and Noah Smithwick Bowies.

It'd be cool if Daniel Winkler (Last of the Mochicans) made some.
 
Apparently, Ron Howard was supposed to Direct the film, but Disney though his vision was much too violent, so Disney chose another director.

As for historical accuracy, little is known about the "Bowie Knife," so much of that may be conjecture. Will the movie show Crockett being executed by Santa Ana's Generals (as historically presumed) or will he go out "fighting?"

I guess all will be seen X-mas of '03...

--dan
 
FWIW

*25,000 extras? no i think MAYBE 2500 tops, and that is prob high

*crockett executed?? thats a mystery depends on who ya believe, the de la pena diary didnt come out till like (brain dead lol) well certainly after 1900, and many historians wonder if it is all/part/not at all accurate. would it even make a diff if some did surrender?? they had put up a good fight, nothing dishonorable in that.

outta be a good movie, have always been interested in the alamo, my great-great-great-great grandfather was at the alamo, moved to texas in 1821 with stephan f austin, settled near mina (now bastrop), name of gordon c jennings, his brother charles died at goliad, and gordons daughter catherine (and my father) is buried in our family cemetary near manor texas, its a state historical sight now, lockwood cemetary, earliest marked grave 1850. my grandfatherX4 was a first corporal (odd rank huh) in capt kerry's artillery company known as the invincibles, and, at 54 was probably the oldest man there......the family rec'd 200 acres of tax free land near manor texas some of which is still in the family, and $30. i am sure he was a helluva man with a lot of spunk.

little trivia for ya..........


greg
 
Hi Greg,

The oldest defender at the Alamo was Robert B. Moore, age 55--that makes your great-great-great-great-grandfather a spring chicken! ;)

Just yankin' your chain! :) Speaking of "great," you have a great family history there! I can't wait to see "The Alamo," but I'm sure you'll be watching it with just that extra bit of stirring in your heart. Thanks for sharing.

Remember the Alamo!

-- JFrame
 
I haven't seen the movie, but yesterday I went to San Antonio to see the Alamo itself. It is fascinating, and houses some very famous knives, including an original Bowie, and a knife that belonged to Davy Crockett. There was also a display in the gift shop on the history of the Bowie knife, with several fine examples. If you ever get a chance to go to the Alamo, don't pass it up!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top