Common Sense Media Review
Historical epic has battle scenes, drinking, smoking.
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The Alamo
What's the Story?
THE ALAMO follows the story of the famous 1836 battle, in which Mexico's Santa Anna and his troops fight against the Texians at the Alamo Mission during the Texan War of Independence. Among the Americans fighting over the Texas territory are Jim Bowie (Jason Patric) and Davy Crockett (Billy Bob Thornton). The battle goes on for days, and American enforcements are sent for, but the Mexicans manage to scale the walls of the mission-turned-fort before General Sam Houston (Dennis Quaid) and his troops arrive.
Is It Any Good?
There's one main reason to see this epic war movie, and it's Billy Bob Thornton. His portrayal of Davy Crockett in The Alamo is vibrant and fully imagined and evokes the idea of the "American hero." The battle sequences are well staged, putting viewers in the center of the action. And the movie doesn't solely follow White historical figures; enslaved Black characters talk about whether they'd be better off as Mexicans, and Hispanic Texians explain why they chose to fight against the Mexicans.
Despite all of that, the movie doesn't make the impact it could. The narrative is so muddled and the pace so choppy that we never really connect with the characters or their cause. The film makes the fatal mistake of assuming that it's enough to put Texian icons on one side and, on the other, a vain, bloodthirsty general who peacocks around while he barks at his subordinates and preys on young women. It isn't. This isn't a moral fight about religious freedom, taxation without representation, or even about stopping a despot. It's a fight over who will own the land that wasn't theirs to begin with.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the themes of courage and reputation in The Alamo. Why did it make such an impact when Travis picked up the cannonball? How did it affect how others thought of him? What is Crockett's relationship with his own reputation, and how does he manage other people's expectations of him?
The events at the Alamo were also famously portrayed in the 1960 John Wayne film of the same name. Have you seen the earlier movie? If so, how do the two compare? If not, does this make you want to watch the 1960 version? Why, or why not?
Much of the battle at the Alamo was fought in the name of freedom and independence, but it was also about land ownership. How does the story relate to other conflicts currently happening around the world?
The movie focuses on the Texian-Mexican conflict, but it briefly mentions Native Americans. The stories are told from the perspective of White men who have invaded settlements and killed Native people, and terms like "redskins" and "injuns" are used. Why is it important to have more balanced representation on-screen?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 9, 2004
- On DVD or streaming : September 28, 2004
- Cast : Billy Bob Thornton , Dennis Quaid , Jason Patric
- Directors : John Lee Hancock , John Sayles
- Studio : Touchstone Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : History
- Run time : 135 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sustained intense battle sequences.
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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