I have a decent amount of knowledge about the history of the Alamo, but I was wondering if any experts could shed some light on the most recent film for me. I know that it is far more accurate than the 1960 version.
A few specific questions:
The defenders are portrayed as mostly struggling to put up a fight. Was this done accurately or did they actually manage to fight even less in the battle?
The relationship between William Travis and Jim Bowie. Are any specific showdowns or tensions between them proven? In the film, there is even somewhat of a reconciliation. Is there any proof of that?
Sam Houston's delay. Did the film portray his reasons accurately?
And if there are any other ways the film was inaccurate, I'd like to know what insight you have. Mainly because I base all of my assumptions of the conflict from the film.
The 2004 film was far more accurate than its 1960 counterpart.
Most Alamo historians agree that the actual battle lasted from 30 minutes to 90 minutes. Mexican columns began the assault before sunrise and most of the fighting was over before the sun came up. Some defenders were executed after the main action ceased. Whether or not David Crockett was among those executed is still hotly debated in the Alamo/Crockett historical community. (If this particular subject is of interest, I can refer you to some specific articles/theories. Disclosure: I’m the co-author of “David Crockett in Congress: The Rise and Fall of the Poor Man’s Friend.”)
While the defenders did put up a fight (one Mexican column, the Toluca battalion, took especially heavy casualties from Alamo artillery), most of the attacking forces reached the walls of the compound relatively quickly, which neutralized the bulk of the formidable Alamo artillery. Once the perimeter was breached, the interior of the compound was quickly over-run. The 2004 film correctly pointed out that the defenders didn’t have enough men to defend such a large perimeter or to properly man artillery positions.
There were tensions between Bowie and Travis, and they eventually agreed to share command. All this was rendered moot when Bowie fell ill and was unable to fulfill his duties. All of this is fairly well documented and easily accessible in Todd Hansen’s indispensable book, “The Alamo Reader.”