The Alamo (2004): The Making of a Box Office Bomb 

Thats pretty awesome!

I loved the movie.

Hold your head high, I thought the movie was great, just because it didnt make a splash like Saving private ryan doesnt mean it didnt tell a good story.

It would have been a much better movie if the Mexians were the good guys, like they were in real life

I was as well! The movie didn’t do well at the box office, but it was such a cool experience.

Would assume that it was a great honor to be in such a historical movie, especially for a native Texan.

@@sartainja yes sir it was, not to mention the Texas flag i had Billy Bob and others sign. Appreciate your reply

Any close up scenes of you in the final cut? I'll keep my eyes open, good job

That's a great comment!

Yeah, "independence" to own slaves as immigrants. You missed out on that tiny detail, how Mexico banned slavery, consistent with the the other Spanish-speaking republics. The immigrants who did not even speak the language also did not respect the laws of their country either, because they wanted to own their fellow men in human bondage. We see American hypocrisy if it was the opposite with immigrants coming in, not speaking the language, wanting to have things that are illegal in the Us and want to break away because of it. I notice that we gifted Americans our language, our laws and customs, but they always use the language of Shakespeare wrong, like with calling a war to own slaves as "independence" because Americans like to lie to themselves like with how they rebelled to take the native lands prohibited them in the Royal Proclamation line protecting the native lands, the burgeoning abolitionism in the Uk, including votes to abolish it in parliament already at the time of the revolution, which, surprise surprise, a lot of colonists did not agree with, or how the exchequer wanted to recoup the money from the Forty Thousand Redcoats there to protect the colonists from the French, the ones that roundly beat Washington in Jumoville when he went up there to steal native lands for himself on our money and gunpowder. Those Forty Thousand Redcoats were paid for and manned by the British taxpayer, and we wanted our own money back. Trump has a similar policy, but to some Americans that's right, the rank hypocrisy of it all. Regardless, rebelling against your own neighbours as immigrants to keep owning slaves is not really independence, especially for the majority Mexicans, natives, and of course the slaves then in Texas. That's just some rich people with guns trying to impose their will on the Mexican majority, like common bandits. It's more international piracy or brigandage, sedition, for which the perpetrators were rightly executed afterwards. You guys really should remember the Alamo and not have to have foreigners tell you your own history. You tell those reprehensible lies because of how ashamed you are, but are quite shameless with it, apart from brazen.

This is nice to know. Also I feel you cared enough to try and get it right.

Sorry for your loss.

If i worked on fascist propaganda, i wouldn't be admitting to it on the internet. i'd bury it deep, deep and hope nobody fucking finds out.

@@pvb3562 issues

@@pvb3562 🤡 Lighten up, Francis.

No one wants to go watch a movie that shows whites losing to hispanics.

Ditto

A gift to history buffs. A sin to movie buffs.

Give back your history degree because this movie ain't faithful to shit. The Americans were not the good guys in the Alamo lol.

@@nezahuatez I find that so ridiculous though. Because in so many cases I find actual history more interesting and entertaining than whatever Hollywood makes up.

Unlikely given the current politics at Disney....

There is no way an educated person thinks this is accurate.

Outside of the US, the Texas Independence War is described as "A bunch of rich foreigners bought Mexican land and later rebelled because they wanted to keep their slaves". Non-Americans do not see the defenders of the Alamo as the good guys. I was at a party in France, in 2008, and the movie was playing in the background. In addition to Frenchmen, there were Brits and assorted Slavs. The sympathies were definitely on the side of the attackers. There was some cheering and jeering, and it was not going the way it would have gone in an American setting.

@@Tuidjy The Mexico Killed Surrender Troops,I am Not Sorry they losse to Texans.

@@jeancaron9325 The Texans were in open rebellion, and most of their soldiers were not even locals, but were crossing over the border with the purpose to fight. Legally, everyone in that fort was either a rebel or an invader who did not have any nation's backing. The Mexicans even went to the trouble of declaring them pirates, and according to international law, there was ample reason to do it. But all this is ancient history. As the saying goes: "There is no defense for rebelling against your rightful liege... except for victory." No matter who was right or wrong, history is written by the winners. And the Texans won, period. But that does not mean that anyone outside the US likes it.

the reason it failed was they tried to retell the story that the classic 1960 movie had already patriotically perfected, even if that wasn't historically accurate in doing so, they alienated the fan base of the original move, and most other people around the world won't care e.g. take a patriotic theme, alienate the patriots, and hope the non-patriots will like your movie ?

@@Tuidjy The real history is even Mexicans thought murdering the Texians was wrong. When the Mexicans surrendered the Alamo originally they were let go and even allowed to take one cannon to defend against Indians. One Mexican general speaking of another murdering of prisoners said he had to follow orders. Where have we heard that more recently? But if you agree with murdering POWs, then you might fault Santa Anna for heartlessly and needlessly expending his own troops when by waiting a couple of days he could have reduced the Alamo to ruble with two large cannon that were en route. Santa Anna was an evil dictated that set Mexico on a course from which it never recovered and proved himself a poor general.

Mine too!

It is based on the real travel writings of Ahmad ibn Fadlan. This is a story based on real events, to some degree.

That was another great movie. Poor marketing

I don't think anyone was expecting The Sixth Sense and Runaway Bride to have the long tail that they did in late August/Sep 1999. Plus the marketing didn't work much to break through the noise, not enough to later sustain it as other 1999 flicks came out later that year.

I’m very torn on that. As a history buff, I 100% agree with your statement. As a casual movie goer, I’m less convinced this is an entertaining, well constructed ride. But of course, I fall into Camp #1! I feel like this film should come with a warning: Your Mileage May Vary

@@LittleWarsTV I was one of the few who saw it in theaters, too : ) I hear what you say, I would love to see what Ron Howard would have done.

Texan history is boring

@@magnificus8581 Yeah! I would really like to see Crowe and Penn in a Ron Howard r-rated version of this.

It's a Good film 😊

Same! We love talking about historical TV shows and movies!

Also Davis is the only one I know who was allowed access to the Mexican Military Archives.

Amen, Brother Gary.

it's a good film for sure.

Unfortunately, that’s a low bar to clear.

@@RIPCityBeav, indeed. The Alamo has always lended itself more towards propaganda than a serious study of what ACTUALLY happened. Sadly, most people don't want to know the truth...as that would force the viewer to make some unflattering realizations about their history. Indeed, both Texans and Mexicans can find much about the events of 1836 to deplore.

Yup, the Napoleon movie just came out, and it's utter trash. It's a deliberate hit piece, that does everything it possibly can to denigrate and negatively portray the titular character.

Same! Would love to see that directors cut

Same.

I loved The Alamo and John Carter!

I thought it was a great movie!

I agree in that the pacing wasn't a problem for me. I enjoy watching the movie and have it in my collection. I'd also like to see the three hour movie. I was never a fan of the John Wayne version.

History of Texas Independence. Not of our country.

Yeah sometimes it's bad timing, poor marketing not entirely a bad product. I've seen the movie several times and never really had any huge issues.

nope... Texan history is NOT USA history... seriously. To the point where when I was a kid living down there for a few years, they actually had a "Texas History" class in ELEMENTARY SCHOOL curriculum... no world history or US history, although little bits snuck into social studies, but there was a specific class to brainwash you all into knowing when to clap when you heard Deep in the Heart of Texas... and you DID. They want to be a part of US history, they need to teach the grade school kids less Texas History and more world history.

​@@robrussell5329the history of Texas IS the history of our country. Nowhere else in the Union will you find the American spirit stronger. They are the pinnacle of what America is.

Thanks paul

A fine film. I have my own copy!

I love the scene of Crockett playing his fiddle in defiance. Buetiful.

A fine film - never got the hate it received...

The "pass the potatoes" story Davy Crockett tells in the movie is taken from his autobiography that he wrote 2 years before he went to Texas.

@@bradcouch457 yes it was.

They were terrible people. So it's not accurate at all.

@@java4653 what ever

@@java4653 They weren't "terrible people". And it's fairly accurate, as far as hollywood films go.

Amen, Brother Flash.

I was wondering about that, since the way they present the mexicans seemed quite like a cliche of a villain, almost cartoon like.

There always has to be someone bringing up racism.

​@@JOSECANUCCJyeah cuz there's racism

@@JOSECANUCCJYep. That's the Millennial "out" for too hard of work and encountering, "gasp", a hole bosses. This guy wouldn't have lasted a week on Parris Island.

"Coming into its own" is a really...interesting way to put what actually happened between Mexico and Texas/the United States.

@@herecomesaregular8418 Americans are really good at propagandising their origin stories to make themselves the heros/underdogs. Just look at the story they tell themselves about the pilgrims who "sought religious freedom" in reality everyone in Europe was so sick of their puritcanical bullshit and them trying to push it on everyone else.

I was thinking the same take about rewriting history America was created the same way Germany tried to create the third Reich conflict and genocide however the US got away with it !

"Coming into its own" WTF does that mean?

You're not a Texas native 😂 You're a Texan of European descent.

It’s long overdue! And pretty cool that you got to interview the cast.

@@LittleWarsTV I ran an Alamo website from 2003 to 2009, so that's how all of that came to be. As you state, SO MUCH ended on the cutting room floor. I am aware of what scenes were cut. For example, Wes Studi portrayed Chief Bowles. His mother was in the scene with him. But like Marc Blucas's Bonham and Matthew O'Leary's character, entire roles and arcs were cut. You're right that The Alamo is a tough topic to cover. Texas Rising on the History channel did a horrendously horrible job of it. Something along the lines of HBO'S John Adams, a 8-part series, is what is needed to faithfully tell the story.

@@AlamoSentry Hi, Wade.

@@Rick-jf6sg Howdy! Who is this?

I remember watching Santa Ana’s demand for surrender being replied to with a return cannon shot by the Alamo co-commander Travis. I cheered real loud in the movie theater and then heard some guys cussing and yelling at me in Spanish in the theater. I learned that some of this history is not emphatic for some cultures. Many brave Mexican solders also died at the Alamo and many others were slaughtered at the later battle of San Jacinto. 🙏🏽

Couldnt agree more

I know right?!?

I'm over comic book movies

Worth the wait!

My Baby Boomer mom spent her formative years in east Texas and idolized John Wayne. She hated the 2004 film for the exact same reasons! Oof.

There were many things wrong with it and too PC, I've studied up on that event off and on since the 1960s, it's never been done correctly.

I love John Wayne's Alamo ... albeit the history in it is all wrong.. but I do like it

Liked both versions, as a kid and adult. Remember the Alamo! Florida Boy

Some prefer mythology??

If you can find the novelization. It's probably what the 3 hour cut was meant to be.

Wow, thanks!

Have you read the original shooting script, which appears in Frank Thompson's "Making of" book? Backstories abound, which give a much more detailed explanation of the characters, history, motivations, etc. That all was filmed, but Disney made John Lee Hancock cut about 30 minutes from it before the release.

Master and Commander is great.

@@benjaminloyd6056 So we’re the books, the entire series.

@@lightningdriver81 My sister just got the book, I'll have to read it.

That movie is highly underrated I loved it

Budget $150 million, box office $211.6 million - more than "barely".

It's not that implausible given some of the events that did take place during WW2. The saying truth is stranger than fiction can be called a cliche but it's often true.

As was “Braveheart” ….sheer historical nonsense….yet….

​@Purplefood There's virtually no scenario where the Army is risking the lives of an entire unit just to pluck one kid-who only God knows where he is-out, they still had radio communication in WW2 after all . .

@@CommanderLongJohn They've done worse for less, look up Task Force Baum and tell me the plot of Saving Private Ryan is that implausible. There was even a bloke who had a similar experience where they thought three of his brothers had died so they sent him home, it wasn't quite as exciting a process as the movie but it's not like the movie is totally implausible.

Saving Private Ryan plays with World War II and national feeling. The large public prefers that. A minor and old frontier war that's actually more realistic and down-to-earth historically is not as catchy.

There is something like that in the mini series Texas Rising. Have watched it, and it's pretty good

That could have been a fascinating story! So many of those unmade Hollywood scripts floating about the ether. Would have enjoyed seeing Howard’s R rated take on the Alamo too

Wow, that's the first I've ever heard of that script. That would make a fascinating movie. Now I'm interested in reading the novel.

Wow great observation. "The Passion" was almost a prerequisite viewing at the time and truly has the same cross demographic that would see the Alamo. I love both films and am also a bit of a Texas plains 1840-1900 buff myself. What did you think of the Santa Anna actor? Quite possibly one of the greatest historical castings ever although he was a bit too old. The guy just oozed that aristocratic arrogance I always get when reading about the man. I have always wanted to see the storming of the Chapultepec by the cream of the West Point and future Civil War heroes like Lee, Jackson and most of all Pickett grabbing the flag

they also didn't portray anyone as a God. They allowed their flaws to show.

Woah, that’s a great observation! I was in high school in 2004 and I remember seeing ‘Passion’ mentioned EVERYWHERE for a good month. Other than TV commercials, I can’t remember seeing any mention of The Alamo (or most other films) at the time. ‘Passion’ was very much the focus on most theater-going minds.

yeah im from north texas and all i remember from then was hearing about PotC everywhere...i didnt see the Alamo until it came out on movie channels of the time... im surprised no one else has ever brought that up..

@@VinnyS9143101982 I especially like Travis' speech. He tries to sound eloquent but is a bit awkward and stilted until he finally pulls off something that sounds more or less inspiring. Very realistic and in character, to judge from what we can know of him. Fine movie.

A wonderful film!

I think that a major issue with the movie is nobody outside Tennessee, Texas, and Mexico knows what the Alamo is and regardless of the quality of the film you can't save it from that

@@skirk248 That’s a very interesting point. Added to that is the fact that less history of this type is being taught in schools each year. These stories are vivid examples of the unbelievable sacrifices that were made to forge this country, and they are getting passed over for less important, less compelling stories. Back then, the expectation was to give of oneself for the betterment of others or a greater cause. Nowadays it has shifted to getting as much as you can for yourself and to hell with everyone else. More’s the pity . . .

The movie tried to cover too much ground. Even after cutting it down from 3 to 2 hours, what remained lacked coherence. After the Battle of The Alamo scene where Crockett and the other survivors make their stand, I believe they should have ended it and rolled the credits. Focusing on one character could have provided more depth, perhaps not even one of the main heroes.

same

Kingdom of Heaven was under 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios under Disney)

Another hour?! Oh no! I was like Elaine watching The English Patient trying to get through KoH.

Yep the direcors cut of kingdom of heaven is amazing

@@AP-hv9ll trust us. The directors cut is a completely different story. So good

The director's cut is probably one of my favorite movies