2004 Movie version

[pff]

While the 2004 version in the beginning did differ between the real David Crockett and the mythological "Davy Crockett" half-horse half alligator of stage-I was a little disappointed in the end where Crockett is shown making a dramatic speech before being shot by Santa Anna.
Where in the world did they come up with this heroic speech?
Also-about midway in the movie they have about a dozen or so of the Alamo garrison taking advantage of Santa Anna amesty; is this factucial?

[Allen Wiener]

Apparently there was an amnesty offer to Tejanos, which some of them took, but I'll defer to someone else on this point; I've been away from this for a while.

The Crockett death scene, to me, is pure fiction and detracted from the film. I think they were trying for some sort of artistic expression of who Crockett was, or who they think he was at the end, trying to reconcile himself with his larger-than-life image, or perhaps living (or dying?) up to it at the end. I think it was hogwash. Even if Crockett were taken prisoner or surrendered and was executed (and let's not start THAT again!), no account suggests anything like what the movie portrayed. I also think Crockett had a lot better grip on this ficitonal "Davy" thing and, although he really lost control of it, knew how to deal with it and, when to his benefit, use it. But that didn't change who he was. He was one of our first national celebrities (maybe THE first) and, like many celebs today, he knew how to present the image people expected in public, while still knowing who he was.

I consider this nonsense about Crockett being "trapped by his image" a lot of -- well, nonsense.

AW

[Jim Boylston]

If Crockett was "trapped" by any image at all, it certainly wasn't an image of a Daniel Boonesque, larger than life warrior. "Davy Crockett" was a comic image, and most everyone was in on the joke.
When things got out of hand and the comedy was used against David Crockett, the real man, to make him appear foolish or ignorant, he did his best to reign it in and control it. He didn't fret about his situation, he worked to change the public perception. Crockett was far more media savvy than he's been given credit for. I could go on, but it's in the upcoming book.

While I liked the fact that the Crockett in the 2004 film was not painted with such broad strokes, I still don't think the script got the character right. Crockett was not insecure or uncomfortable in his own skin. He was confidant and resilient, and he knew the situation in Texas before he ever left Tennessee. Everyone did. The US newspapers were full of reports and, believe me, Crockett read the papers.

Jim