Parents' Guide to

Texas Rising

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Texas Revolution docudrama is entertaining but gritty.

TV History Drama 2015
Texas Rising Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

age 15+

Based on 1 parent review

age 15+

Not Texas history if that's what you want...

I was an archaeologist/park ranger for TPWD, and I worked on historical sites where Texas was born. If you really want to learn about Texas history, I recommend "Gone to Texas" by Randolph Mike Campbell, a large history book that covers everything or James Mitchener for a novel of Texas' history. "Lone Star" by Fehrenbach is also well written and informative. "Texas History for Kids" is good for children and has activities that can help make learning fun. There are a great many books on the Texas Rangers, and there is a Texas Ranger museum in Waco, Texas. I would say that if you have an interest in the Rangers, and are in the area be sure to go! The museum has a website and research center and are really nice folks. Get in touch with them & they can recommend good resources for you & your family. I wouldn't recommend this particular show because it has many, many historical inaccuracies and geographical "oops!"es --- read "Geography of Texas" on Wikipedia to learn that Texas has many regions, but the mountains and desert are in far west Texas, not on the coastal gulf plain where West Columbia and Washington on the Brazos are located, and San Antonio is in the hill country. (those are some sites you can visit or google from home!) If you just want entertainment for teens and adults, then it is okay. If you show this to grade school or tweens, I think the violence, sexual situations, and historical inaccuracies would be a problem. If you do watch this with your family after reading the books above, you could have a discussion about how Hollywood's Texas history is different from what you read.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (1 ):

History buffs and classic Western fans will find it entertaining, but those unfamiliar with Mexican or Texan history may find this miniseries sometimes hard to follow. From the bloody Goliad campaign to the battle of San Jacinto, the series offers a dramatic retelling of the history of the Texas Revolution, while bringing to life some of the folklore and legends behind it. It also strings together narratives that highlight the varied experiences of territory residents during this time, including independent-minded Texians, Tejanos caught between two countries, dishonest land empresarios, Native American tribes trying to protect their lands, and slaves who tragically found themselves caught in the middle of it all. It also weaves in some comedic moments, in an attempt to create some relief from the ruthlessness shown here.

However, it also lacks clear explanations about what led to the revolution, such asthe breakdown of immigration agreements between the two countries and the Union's hopes for access to Pacific trade routes via the Gulf. But the overall series serves to memorialize the historic figures who -- and events that -- are credited with helping secure Texas' independence from Mexico and its eventual entrance into the union as the country's 28th state.

TV Details

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