"Remembering the Alamo" - Did the History Channel do justice?

The History Channel ^ | December 16, 2003 | Greystone Communications, Inc - Craig Haffner

[sonofatpatcher2]

March 6, 1836: A massacre of Americans at the Mexican Army's hands made "Remember the Alamo" an immortal Texan battle cry. But is this history viewed through an American lens? With distance from the heat of battle, a Mexican version of the controversy emerges. What caused Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett to run from their pasts to become heroes in death? How did a struggle for independence become a race war? In this 2-hour investigation, we expose new evidence in this grand victory with a dark secret. TV PG

[sonofatpatcher2]

Just watched the History Channel's "Remembering the Alamo" on videotape. I was not able to watch it last night when it ran. It was a Greystone Communications, Inc. production of Craig Haffner's who has propagated many high quality series for the History Channel.

The advertising for "Remembering the Alamo" had me somewhat leery, being a third generation Texan and knowing what certain PC Culture left leaning historians have done in re-writing history these past few decades. However, it is with a great deal of relief that I must say it was a fair and balanced affair.

That is not to say I agreed with each and every "fact" offered, but for each one offered, a counter argument was presented. In watching this telling of the Alamo from both sides, one is left with a palate colored with the many hues that allows the viewer to paint his own version of those days. To me they were 13 Days of Glory and I did not notice any "dark secret" in this telling.

I haven't seen any threads on this here, so I would welcome the comments of other Freepers.

BTW, one of my pet running sores came up during my watching. There was a "Diamonds are Forever" commercial that has been run over and over again recently. It has a couple in the plaza at Venice and the man shouts of his love for his lady at the top of his voice. She tells him to stop it and he produces a three diamond ring which she slips on her finger and embraces him purring, "I love this man. I love this man."

Now, don't get me wrong, the lady is a real raven haired babe and she could hug me at any time, any place... But, this TV ad makes me wonder if she loves him so much, why does she wait until he gives her the ring before saying it? Is it me, memorex or just the current way of the world?

[CWOJackson]

"But, this TV ad makes me wonder if she loves him so much, why does she wait until he gives her the ring before saying it?"

He's an NBA player?

[John Jorsett]

He's an NBA player?

Good one.

[John Jorsett]

I have this on my Tivo, but don't know when I'll get to it. An earlier show I saw investigated whether Jim Bowie (I think) was killed in action or was executed by Santa Ana after capture. The conclusion was for execution. Did this show go into that?

[pikachu]

I wished they had added that Santa Anna died in New York City :-)

[Prime Choice]

But, this TV ad makes me wonder if she loves him so much, why does she wait until he gives her the ring before saying it?

I think it's to contrast her expression of love versus his. He shouts it to the world; she whispers it in his ear.

Between you and me, I'd rather have someone whisper in my ear than shout at the top of their lungs. ; )

P.S. -- I can't stand that commercial. I always hit the Mute button when it comes on.

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: An earlier show I saw investigated whether Jim Bowie (I think) was killed in action or was executed by Santa Ana after capture. The conclusion was for execution. Did this show go into that?

The program had Jim too ill to fight and most probably executed as he lay on his sick bed. I think it is pretty well founded Bowie was ill and him thus dying in his bed does not make me honor him any less.

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: I wished they had added that Santa Anna died in New York City :-)

That I have not heard...

[tx4guns]

I have it recorded, but haven't watched it yet. Caught about the first 30 minutes of the show. I took an American History class from Dr. Hardin at Victoria College one summer. He is awesome. He's an expert on the wars of Texas and really knows his weapons and material. Most interesting history class I ever took.

I think the commercial is pretty cool. She was telling him to stop it b/c she was embarrassed that her husband was acting like a jackass in public, as would most women. When he whipped out the stones, she realized what he was doing and how nice/sweet he was really being. Diamonds tend to make a woman forget all the bad things you've done. Ask Kobe Bryant, he'll agree. ;)

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: I can't stand that commercial. I always hit the Mute button when it comes on.

I just look at the honey and imagine her whispering "I love you" in my ear.

[Prime Choice]

I just look at the honey and imagine her whispering "I love you" in my ear.

Yeah, that's about enough to give any guys goosebumps (and some a ruined pair of Levis). ; )

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Santa Anna died in New York City :-)

Santa died ? When ? how will i get my new scooter now ?

[narby]

It was pretty interesting. But there was a place where they equated the United States as being no better, or worse, than Mexico.

Huh?

We're talking about Mexico under the dictator Santa Anna, who had consolidated power to Mexico City from what had been a "federal" style system that had power distributed among the Mexican states.

They think the two were equivalent?

[PAR35]

He's best remembered for his work in developing the chewing gum industry.

[Sans-Culotte]

There's a Christmas commercial for Lexus where various people are given a Lexus key in some clever way to announce that they are getting a Lexus for Christmas. I think the young lady who finds that the snowman's nose is the key is the same raven haired beauty from the Venice commercial.

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: (and some a ruined pair of Levis). ; )

Surely you jest. I saw a TV commercial some while back where this guy whipped off his Levis and used them to tow a car...

Of course, he has another guy's babe in his towing car and when the guy started to complain from the towed auto, the Levis split...

[freedumb2003]

. An earlier show I saw investigated whether Jim Bowie (I think) was killed in action

I don't know about that but I know John Wayne died at the Alamo!

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: I think the young lady who finds that the snowman's nose is the key is the same raven haired beauty from the Venice commercial.

I've seen that spot, yet I shall be very diligent in future watchings to search for my raven haired babe being there.

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: I don't know about that but I know John Wayne died at the Alamo!

Now this is just the type of Right Wing crap that gets myths started. We all know John Wayne died on Iwo Jima! And his grandfather, John Wayne Senior, died by the hand of a sneaky bartender in a Colorado saloon.

BTW John Wayne's love child, Oppie, gunned down the bartender in revenge.

[GunRunner]

I heard one of the promos for the show on the radio, and a historian was describing Jim Bowie as a criminal.