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
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A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 15+

Based on 1 parent review

weaslea
weaslea Adult
May 26, 2015
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
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What's the Story?

TEXAS RISING chronicles the second half of the Texas Revolution and the rise of the Texas Rangers. It's March 7, 1836, and General Antonio López de Santa Anna (Olivier Martinez) has successfully overtaken the Alamo as part of his brutal offensive designed to reclaim the Mexican province of Texas from rebellious Texians (U.S. settlers) and Tejanos (creoles) who want an independent Texian republic. General Sam Houston (Bill Paxton) must figure out how to lead his small, untrained volunteer group of men to push Santa Anna's troops out of the territory without the help of President Andrew Jackson (Kris Kristofferson), who is unwilling to intervene. Meanwhile, an independent and spirited band of men known as the Rangers (played by actors including Brendan Fraser, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Trevor Donovan, and Christopher McDonald) are called upon to support Houston's efforts. Also helping their cause is former indentured servant Emily West (Cynthia Addai-Robinson), aka the "Yellow Rose of Texas," and Lorca (Ray Liotta), one of the few survivors of the Alamo. Throughout it all, settlers continue to enter the territory in hopes of finding a new life. It's a brutal and lawless time but one that has a major impact on the formation of the Lone Star state.

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the history of Texas. What makes Texas history so different from that of many other states in the Union? Does this series offer an accurate portrayal of what transpired during this time?

  • What is a docudrama? Is it supposed to present facts? Or is it a fictional work based on actual events?

TV Details

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