The Alamo (Full Screen Edition)

Starring:Dennis Quaid, Billy Bob Thornton, Jason Patric, Patrick Wilson, Emilio EchevarrÃa, Jordi MollÃ , Leon Rippy, Tom Davidson (III), Marc Blucas, Robert Prentiss, Kevin Page, Joe Stevens, Stephen Bruton, Laura Clifton, Ricardo Chavira, Steven Chester Prince, Craig Erickson, Nick Kokich, Richard Nance, Jett Garner
Director: John Lee Hancock
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Product Type: DVD

Description

See how the West was really won in the action-packed Classic Western Round-Up: Volume 2! Experience all of the shootouts, fights and escapades with The Texans, California, Cimarron Kid and The Man From the Alamo. Starring Hollywood favorites Glenn Ford, Randolph Scott, Audie Murphy and Ray Milland, this adventure-filled collection features some of the most thrilling films ever to come out of the Wild West! The Texans (1938) A former Confederate soldier (Randolph Scott) takes on new battles after the Civil War when he agrees to lead a herd of cattle to a recently completed railroad. California (1946) An Army deserter (Ray Milland) and a woman with a past (Barbara Stanwyck) head to the sunshine state - before it even was a state - during the 1848 mass migration. Cimarron Kid (1952) When corrupt railroad officials wrongly accuse him of participating in a train robbery, Bill Doolin (Audie Murphy) joins the Dalton gang and soon becomes the legendary outlaw know as the "Cimarron Kid." The Man From the Alamo (1953) During the Texas war for independence, a survivor (Glenn Ford) of the brutal battle at The Alamo is branded a coward and sets out to clear his name.

Customer Reviews:

Our thanks to Universal...for Great Western fare.......2007-02-16

This is volume 2 of two box sets to be released by Universal, and containing some mighty fine oaters. If past history is any guide, the transfers will excellent, the color great, and the presentation superior! THE TEXANS was one Randolph Scott's first major "A" Western roles, and while the film was criticized as a bit "wooden," it nevertheless is an entertaining film that details the great post-war cattle drives from Texas north. Great supporting cast. Ray Milland is usually not thought of as a Western star, but, as he demonstrates here in CALIFORNIA (and later in COPPER CANYON) he is quite capable in the saddle. Glenn Ford, in THE MAN FROM THE ALAMO, stands out as an accused "deserter" who must prove his bona fides and his honor. Lastly, there is more Audie Murphy--a cause for rejoicing, indeed, with his THE CIMARRON KID (and in vol. 1, his KANSAS RAIDERS). These boxes are reasonabley priced, and all I can add, is "pardner, you'll not be disappointed." Our thanks to Universal!

Average customer rating:

The Alamo
Dennis!!!!!!
people have expectations
Spectacular
Can there be any worse"Alamo"film than this one?

The Alamo (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Dennis Quaid , Billy Bob Thornton , Jason Patric , Patrick Wilson , and Emilio Echevarría
Director: John Lee Hancock
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Epic | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Alamo
The History Channel Presents The Alamo
The Alamo Documentary
Gettysburg (Widescreen Edition)
Gods & Generals

ASIN: B0002DRDBY
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Amazon.com

Despite a troubled production history including a switch in directors, budget overruns, and delayed release dates, The Alamo turned out to be a remarkably intelligent mini-epic of corrective historical biography. Dispensing with the grandiose myth-making of previous films on this subject (including John Wayne's gung-ho 1960 version), this well-written film breathes new, credibly dimensional life into the stodgy legends of Davy Crockett (Billy Bob Thornton), Jim Bowie (Jason Patric), and Lt. Col. William Travis (Patrick Wilson), who fought with 185 Anglo-"Texican" settlers (some historians claim their numbers were closer to 250) during the bloody 13-day siege by 5,000 Mexican soldiers at the titular San Antonio mission-turned-fortress in 1836. While Gen. Sam Houston (Dennis Quaid) anguishes over military strategy and reluctantly withholds much-needed support, the Alamo defenders face the unbeatable multitudes commanded by Mexican Gen. Santa Anna (Emilio Echevarria), and the screenplay (on which John Sayles was an early contributor, when Ron Howard was slated to direct) allows the central heroes to reveal a richer, more substantial humanity beneath their mythic reputations. Tackling his biggest production to date, director John Lee Hancock (who previously worked with Quaid on The Rookie) reportedly shot 100 hours of footage, so it's almost miraculous that this 135-minute battle drama is so evenly balanced in telling its oft-told tale. Thornton was deservedly singled out for his fine performance, and Dean Semler's cinematography is Oscar-worthy throughout. Of course, any film about the Alamo necessarily includes speculative history, and this one's no exception, but it's got a ring of truth that previous versions conspicuously lacked. --Jeff Shannon

Description

From the studio that brought you PEARL HARBOR ... Academy Award(R) winner Billy Bob Thornton (SLING BLADE, Best Adapted Screenplay, 1996; BAD SANTA), Dennis Quaid (THE ROOKIE), and Jason Patric (RUSH) team up for the acclaimed action epic about one of the most important events in American history! It's the heroic tale of the 200 brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom defending a small Texas fort for 13 days against an entire army! Commanded by three men -- Lt. Col. William Travis (Patrick Wilson), James Bowie (Patric), and David Crockett (Thornton) -- their against-all-odds courage at the Alamo would forever live on as a rallying cry for liberty and independence!

Customer Reviews:

The Alamo .......2007-05-13

HAD THE PLEASURE TO MEET BUCK TAYLOR THAT WAS IN THIS MOVIE...AND ALSO A BIG STAR FROM GUNSMOKE...FANTASTIC

Dennis!!!!!!.......2007-05-13

Anything Dennis Quaid will generally grab at least some of my attention. He is fun to look at and there were points in his career that totally plugged me in.

people have expectations.......2007-03-24

The actual events that led to the siege of the Alamo and the establishment of the short-lived country called Texas lie shrouded in the fog of contested legends. Like the Middle East today, two peoples necessarily tell the story of the same land in far different ways. It is often said by Texans today that Mexico is achieving through immigration and fecundity what Santa Ana could not.

Under such circumstances, there is room for a dramatic retelling of one side's story. THE ALAMO does that, and superbly. Jettisoning the attempt to see events from the Mexican point of view - it would have made for more textured history but a failed film - this movie simply tells the story of a heroic stand that many of its heros must have known was doomed from the start.

In the end, Mexican General Santa Ana's Napoleonic ambitions die in an eighteen-minute battle at a place of Sam Houston's choosing.

I work with leaders. Successful leaders usually have far more opportunity to draw on patience and fortitude than heroism. Yet in the heroism of this film *and* in Houston's patience, there are many lessons.

David (or was he Davey?) Crockett wearing his legend lightly. Houston refusing to be drawn in to battle when blood and anger were running hot. A young Lieutenant Coronel being told that 'sometimes it's just the *way* you say things' and discovering that stooping to burn his own hands on a hot cannon ball that someone else could have carried provided the elevation that had eluded him by command.

These are the film's enduring lessons. They can be told even when the history is sketchy, because somewhere, right now, some human being whose knees are shaking is becoming a hero in just this way.

A brilliant film, well shot, cunningly told, sincerely acted. Even Santa Ana would have admitted that much.

Spectacular.......2007-03-17

"The Alamo", I found, was a wonderful movie, even though it did have some historical errors. The acting was superb (to me Patrick Wilson stole the movie with his portrayal of William Barret Travis), and it kept me interested the whole time, so much so that after renting it, I bought a copy for myself from Amazon. Great movie!

Can there be any worse"Alamo"film than this one?.......2006-11-22

I doubt it...Even "The Last Command",a 1950s effort from Republic pictures,and starring Sterling Hayden(yes,Sterling Hayden,the corrupt police captain in the original"Godfather"film)is,overall,more entertaining than this revisionist twaddle..Hey!If you want"realism"(or political correctness)GO READ A BOOK !If you want history rather than entertainment,there's A&E,the History Channel and PBS...If you want a good story,robust performances,good music and award nominated film-making see the John Wyane version...
What is essentially wrong with this version is EVERYTHING...First of all it is revisionist political correctness taken to absurd lengths..Davey Crockett,played by Billy Bob Thornton(the only real reason to see this picture)is less than heroic but is portrayed instead as an opportunist ex-politician who has come to Texas thinking that the fighting is already over,and that he,as an ex-tennessee senator,might be able to renew his career in the new Texas republic..He is surprised that the fighting ISN'T over,and just the least bit annoyed that now he is in a position where his heroic manufactured image is in direct conflict with his real,opportunistic self..Jim Bowie is portrayed as a bigot,and Bill Travis is even more of an opportunist than ole Davey,and an adulterer to boot..Sam Houston ,likewise is not shown to be much more than an alcoholic who happens to be given command of an army that does nothing to help the defenders of the Alamo...
Claiming to give equal time to the other side in this conflict,the producers of this mess portray Santa Anna as a brutal tyrant,much like he has been portrayed in every previous"Alamo"film(indeed,the very BEST portrayal of the mexican general was by Raoul Julia in"13 DAYS TO GLORY",a made for teevee film,which was very well done,given the obvious budget restrictions..Julia's Santa Anna,while still a tyrant,was shown to be a much more complex individual than as portrayed in this film)...
Sure,the saga of the alamo,as history,is not written in strictly hero and villian terms,but the mission of our entertainment industry has been TO ENTERTAIN..teaching a strictly accurate rendering of any historical tale is not the same as providing entertainment,or,for that matter,providing charecters one can either root for or against..
This film wants to have it both ways...It wants to come across as a "great"american epic while at the same time attempting to straddle the fence of political correctness..Crockett,while certainly not the unabashed patriot of the John Wyane classic was also not the almost craven coward that one mexican after-battle account has him being...indeed,save for this one Mexican account,all other surviving firsthand accounts(most notably that of Mrs Dickinson)say that,like most of the other defenders,he fell in battle..This film ,determined to be in conflict with the facts,chose the account written by a mexican army officer(and which was as much a propaganda effort as any subsequent gringo account)to portray a crockett who surrendered and was executed by the victorious mexicans...
The final battle was,admittedly,fought just before dawn,but in terms of the cinema,such an epic scene filmed in near-total darkness(as it has been here)JUST DOES NOT WORK...a bunch of silhouetted figures running about,who are from time to time illuminated by weak light is not my idea of an exciting climax..add to this the god-awful dirge-like flapdoodle music,provided by Carter Burwell,and what you have is one really BAD scene,which is ironic,inasmuchas in every otheralamo film this last battle was the visual highlight...
The filmakers here extend thier storyline beyond the fall of the alamo(and the death of ALL of the main gringo players)and show us the Sam Houston victory over Santa Anna..But Randy Quaid's Houston is a marginal part of the movie,the battle scene is one-sided in the extreme,and the film ends,abruptly,with the defeat of the mexican army..Nothing heroic here either,with all of the mexicans appearing as cowards,and most of the americans looking like blood-thirsty louts...
This film is not entertainment..John Wyane's film is,even if it isn't historically accurate(and even if some of the dialouge is stilted)..What we have,instead,is revisionism that neither entertains nor informs..

Average customer rating:

The Alamo John Wayne's view
It's another DVD con
A LOOOONG labor of love
The Epic Story of the Battle
The 'Battle Cry' that broke Santa Anna's back!

The Alamo
Starring: Carlos Arruza , Frankie Avalon , Veda Ann Borg , Joseph Calleia , and Linda Cristal
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

All Titles | John Wayne Store | Stores | DVD | Video

1960s | John Wayne Store | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Alamo (Widescreen Edition)
The Horse Soldiers
Big Jake
The War Wagon
Hondo (Special Collector's Edition)

ASIN: B00004ZBVE
Release Date: 2000-12-19

Amazon.com

John Wayne drew on what he learned from John Ford, Howard Hawks, and practically everyone who directed him during his long career when he made his own directorial debut on this labor of love. The Alamo is a sprawling, unabashedly patriotic epic of the sacrifice made by 187 men defending the Alamo from Santa Ana's bigger and better equipped army. Wayne stars as Col. Davy Crockett, the straight-talking, fun-loving frontiersman turned senator, with Laurence Harvey as the stiff, by-the-book Col. William Travis and Ricahrd Widmark as the legendary Jim Bowie who bristles under Travis's military protocol. The mix of regular army soldiers, Texican irregulars, scouts, and civilians makes for a volatile melting pot, but they all come together in a time of crisis in this metaphor for Wayne's heroic vision of America. Wayne spared no expense in this, one the last of the old fashion Westerns, re-creating the Alamo in exacting detail and corralling a cast of Western icons and old friends, including Richard Boone, Chill Wills (who earned an Oscar nomination), Hank Worden, Denver Pyle, Ken Curtis, and Olive Carey, in addition to teen heartthrob Frankie Avalon and Wayne's son Pat. Even old pal and spiritual godfather John Ford lent a hand shooting second-unit footage. Wayne is no Ford, but despite himself (and a talky script), he delivers an entertaining film full of intriguing characters and excellent action scenes, earning the film an Oscar nomination for Best Picture in 1960. Remember the Alamo! --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

The Alamo John Wayne's view.......2007-06-27

This movie was a life long dream of John Wayn. He had wanted to make it for many years and finally in 1960 he was able to give the world his vision. It has great action sequences and the battles are among the best you can find. Detail in the costumes is great. It does have a large part of the movie being used as a platform for Mr. Wayne's political views but it is worth a watch.

It's another DVD con.......2007-04-18

Such a great movie completely ruined by Warner/MGM issuing a badly cut version of this classic film. Originally running at 196 minutes with Overture and Intermission plus 26 minutes of footage. This full version has already been issued on both VHS and Laserdisc so why do we have to put up with a cut version on DVD. The breaks in narrative ruin the continuity of the movie completely. Ever since this DVD was released I have been hoping for a "Director's Cut" but this does not appear to be in the forseeable future. The releas of the new version with Billy Bob Thornton would have been an ideal time for Warner to bring out THE ORIGINAL.

A LOOOONG labor of love.......2007-02-26

Hollywood history, but pretty accurate as far as the real events go. John Wayne directed and starred as Davy Crockett; Richard Widmark is Jim Bowie; and Laurence Harvey is the stiff-backed Col. Travis: their clash of personalities becomes the central theme of the movie. Wayne, as always, is just John Wayne. How the men end up at the Alamo in the first place is what the first half is all about: "freedom" has been challenged and a band of Tennessee ruffians comes to meet the challenge. The second half is all about the battle itself, and it's done up Hollywood style, no holds barred. The movie was a flop when it first came out; much has been written about why that was so but I imagine the biggest reason was that the movie was just too long, despite the crackling dialogue in places and the generally excellent acting by the principals. Quite a few academy award nominations went to the movie, mainly for technical things (cinematography, editing, sound, etc.). Not a movie that remains long in one's memory banks, it's still way better than the 2004 remake starring Dennis Quaid and Billy Bob Thornton.

The Epic Story of the Battle.......2007-01-11

You deserve a better introduction than what the film lacks. The Mexicans revolted against Spanish rule in 1821. The Monroe Doctrine, and the British Navy, kept Spain from reconquering Spanish America. The 1824 Mexican Constitution was similar to the US Constitution in its democracy and freedom. But the big landowners and bankers objected to democracy. They found an ambitious military man who would lead a coup to create a centralized dictatorship. After independence Mexico allowed immigrants from America to enter as long as they followed the rules. They were allowed the lands that were claimed by Indians like the Comanches. The Alamo was a mission compound miles outside of San Antonio de Behar. It served the Indians, and had adobe walls for protection against marauders.

The state of Zacatecas first stood up to Santa Anna's dictatorship. They were attacked, defeated, and their militia slaughtered. The "1824" on the Texican's tricolor meant they supported the 1824 Constitution for democracy and against the dictatorship. For the American settlers it was like another War of Independence. Most of the Americans were from the South, and brought their "peculiar institution" with them. The Mexican Constitution outlawed slavery. The film showed the Texicans complaining about the restrictions on trade; political oppression always results in impoverization of the people. [Richard Henry Dana's "Two Years Before the Mast" described life in California around that time.]

The conversation between Crockett and Bowie probably wasn't based on historical records. This is drama, not history. The attack on the Texans was started in the winter of February 1836; Santa Anna knew the value of a surprise attack. This caused many to flee towards the Louisiana border. The fortifications of the Alamo could not stand up against a regular army with cannon. Colonel Travis decided to hold the fort against superior forces. Colonel Bowie wanted to destroy the fort and attack Santa Anna's forces with guerrilla tactics. [This method has been proven correct from Concord and Lexington down to the present day. Davy Crockett knew that when a bear sought refuge in a cave it was doomed.]

A sortie at night destroyed a large enemy cannon. Colonel Travis explained his plan: the Alamo will hold off Santa Anna's army until General Sam Houston could raise a Texan army; they will buy time. The promised relief forces from Goliad never arrived. Another sortie captured cattle for fresh meat. When Santa Anna arrived he allowed the women and children to leave. Then the Mexican army began its assault; it failed. A rider reported that Colonel Fannin's men had been defeated; help would not arrive. The final assault began. The defenders of the Alamo were outnumbered and outgunned; their adobe walls were no match for cannon and a mass attack that overwhelmed the defenders. The survivors were executed, their bodies burned. The women and children were set free.

[This film would be better if it contained the rest of the story.] Santa Anna's army pursued the Texans; a victory seemed near. While camped at the San Jacinto river a surprise attack by the Texan army avenged the defeats at the Alamo and Goliad. Sam Houston extracted a Treaty of Independence from Santa Anna to establish the Republic of Texas. A decade later Texas joined the United States.

The 'Battle Cry' that broke Santa Anna's back!.......2006-12-17

John Wayne's directorial tribute to the struggle for "The Alamo" symbolized the spirit of resistance of a small group of determined fighters for Texan independence from Mexico...

Texans established a provisional government in 1835 and appointed Sam Houston (Richard Boone) commander in chief of their army... There followed a seesaw battle for control of San Antonio, including the ill-advised defense of the Alamo by a force of fewer than 200 Texas volunteers... General Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna was determined to take this key location in order to impress upon the Texans the futility of further resistance to Mexican ruler...

After a 13-day siege, every fighting man perished under the onslaught of 7,000 Mexican troops... Among the fallen defenders were Cols. William B. Travis, James Bowie and the legendary Davy Crockett... Only Mrs. Dickinson (Joan O'Brien), her little daughter and a black boy survive to provide the eyewitness story of the Siege and the Battle of the Alamo...

John Wayne portrays Davy Crockett, a frontiersman and politician, who saw the future of an independent Texas as his future and he loved a good fight... Crockett and his brave combatants - the Tennesseans, expert marksmen, held their position until death...

Richard Widmark is cast as Colonel Jim Bowie, a reckless adventurer, known for his famous 'Bowie knife'. Bowie has come to fight for Texas independence with a small force of volunteers. He had strong personal friction with Travis which threatens to develop into a private war... The difference in their personalities resulted in the two men sharing a somewhat antagonistic competition for command of the entire garrison... On one point they did agree: "The Alamo" is the most important stronghold of Texas...

Laurence Harvey plays Colonel Travis, "the grand Canyon of Texas," who arrives with 25 men to establish the first line of defense against Santa Anna... Travis is a disciplinarian officer who commanded the Texas defenders during the siege and battle of the Alamo, a genuine hero who anticipated a battle to the death, a polite gentleman who gave the men an opportunity to retreat with honor the ill-fated garrison but explained how important their defense of the Alamo is... His appeal from the Alamo of reinforcements becomes an American symbol of unyielding courage, heroism and self-sacrifice... Travis high moment in the film was when he fired his answer to Santa Anna with a cannon blast: Victory or Death!

With its seven Oscar nominations, including the Oscar-nominated hit song "The Green Leaves of Summer" and a superb score written by Dmitri Tiomkin and song-writer Paul Webster, and featuring some of the most spectacular battle sequences ever seen, "The Alamo," - a sacrifice on the altar of liberty - becomes the 'Battle Cry' that broke Santa Anna's back...

Average customer rating:

The Alamo
Dennis!!!!!!
people have expectations
Spectacular
Can there be any worse"Alamo"film than this one?

The Alamo (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Dennis Quaid , Billy Bob Thornton , Jason Patric , Patrick Wilson , and Emilio Echevarría
Director: John Lee Hancock
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Epic | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Alamo
The History Channel Presents The Alamo
The Alamo Documentary
Gettysburg (Widescreen Edition)
Gods & Generals

ASIN: B0002DRDCI
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Amazon.com

Description

Customer Reviews:

The Alamo .......2007-05-13

HAD THE PLEASURE TO MEET BUCK TAYLOR THAT WAS IN THIS MOVIE...AND ALSO A BIG STAR FROM GUNSMOKE...FANTASTIC

Dennis!!!!!!.......2007-05-13

Anything Dennis Quaid will generally grab at least some of my attention. He is fun to look at and there were points in his career that totally plugged me in.

people have expectations.......2007-03-24

Spectacular.......2007-03-17

Can there be any worse"Alamo"film than this one?.......2006-11-22

Average customer rating:

On second thought...
Ambitious documentary
Missed Opportunities
Do not listen (read) naysayers
An uninteresting and speculative account of the Alamo

The History Channel Presents The Alamo
Starring: Dennis Quaid
Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

Documentary | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Military & War | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Alamo Documentary
The Alamo (Widescreen Edition)
The History Channel Presents The War of 1812
The Alamo
Ben Franklin (History Channel)

ASIN: B0000TWNBK
Release Date: 2003-12-30

Product Description

Behind the most famous battle cry in American history is a story of ambition and heroism, greed and vanity, desperation and defeat. THE HISTORY CHANNEL® PRESENTS: THE ALAMO examines the epic battle through four acclaimed programs from THE HISTORY CHANNEL® and A&E, presenting a compelling picture of the forces,personalities and events that converged at the San Antonio mission in 1836.

"Remember the Alamo" New research dispels some long-held beliefs about what really happened in the showdown between Santa Anna's army and Davy Crockett, William Barret Travis, Jim Bowie, and their group of American volunteers.
"The Real West: The Battle of the Alamo" Host Kenny Rogers focuses on the strained collaboration among Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, and William Barret Travis.
"The Real West: Texas Rangers" Ride into the past to see how these legendary lawmen patrolled a vast and wild territory.
"BIOGRAPHY®: Davy Crockett: American Frontier Legend" Experts explode the myths surrounding the backwoodsman who died at the Alamo.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

Remembering the Alamo won't be a problem after you've seen The Alamo, a richly informative, thematically unified set of four History Channel documentaries. The centerpiece of this two-DVD set is "Remember the Alamo," hosted by Dennis Quaid and produced to coincide with the April 2004 theatrical release of The Alamo, the historical epic (promoted here in a behind-the-scenes featurette) in which Quaid plays Gen. Sam Houston. It's a typical History Channel production, purporting to offer the definitive fair-and-balanced account of the siege on the infamous San Antonio, Texas mission on the chilly morning of March 6, 1836, between the Mexican centralist army of Gen. Santa Anna, and the "Texican" American rebels led by Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, and William Barret Travis. Numerous "talking head" scholars pore over new and established historical details, examining the political and geographical circumstances that led to the massacre that left few survivors, and dispelling such myths as Crockett's fate (he was captured and executed) and the number of Mexicans killed in the assault.

While some of the latest research remains speculative, the context of the Alamo siege is thoroughly examined in the other documentaries (previously issued on VHS) which fill out the set. Hosted by Kenny Rogers in Western regalia, two segments of "The Real West" series go into more specific detail about the battle itself and the history--from ruthless frontier justice to official law-enforcement status--of the legendary Texas Rangers. Most colorful of all, not surprisingly, is the hour-long exploration of the larger-than-life exploits of Davy Crockett, a charming opportunist who nevertheless earned his heroic status as a fearless leader who faced impossible odds at the Alamo siege. While some of the expert testimony verges on shameless hero worship, it remains clear that the Alamo, and the events and personalities that made history there, remains the most pivotal and politically complex turning point in the U.S. expansion of the westward frontier. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

On second thought..........2004-06-08

I am actually going to revise my earlier review a bit, as I recently screened this documentary again, after doing more research on the topic. My earlier comments remain mostly valid, but I need to add a few more concerns. As another reviewer noted, the narrative of the documentary sometimes presents speculative conclusions as verified fact. Granted, the conclusions are based on some evidence, but that evidence is not always so reliable as the documentary would suggest. The annoying phrases "most historians agree" or "most historians now accept" are misleading. Historians always argue and almost never agree...especially on a topic so controversial. I guess the idea was to make the documentary seem authoritative. Watch the documentary, but don't accept everything presented without finding out more about the Alamo. I've been reading about the Alamo for over 40 years now, and the more I learn the more I am convinced that there is still much solid research that needs to be done.

Ambitious documentary.......2004-04-08

Two of the other reviews so far pretty fairly rate this documentary. The inherent flaw in the documentary is probably unavoidable: it tries to cover a very complex topic from all angles and viewpoints, and this is not quite possible within the time and format restrictions. Still, it is a very good overview, especially if it inspires people to read more on the Alamo. The only other quibble I have is with some of the casting: The Travis is too old, too lean, and wears a Laurence Harvey costume. Likewise the Bowie is too old. Crockett looks good. Santa Anna is good, but doesn't look like the (mostly) Creole that he was. As for "speculation," much of our information about the Alamo is just that, unfortunately. I recommend The Alamo Reader, edited by Todd Hansen, for anyone who wants to see just how "reliable" a lot of our source material for the Alamo is.

Missed Opportunities.......2003-12-18

While containing numerous positive elements the video, unfortunatly shows a subtle bias twoard some major characters especially on the side of the rebels. The program accuratly depicts all of the characters as flawed individuals. In some cases, such as Bowie and Travis seriously flawed. However, instances of extremely honorable behavior on the part of some major characters are, unfortunatly, omitted. For example, that Crockett lost his seat in congress for opposing the dispossession of the Native American population in the Southeastern United States is, unfortunatly, omitted. This display of integrity and honorable behavior by Crockett gives an invaluable insight into his character and should have been included.

That films about the battle of the Alamo tend to show the Mexicans as vicious at best and sadistic at worst is generally true. There are examples to the contrary. An example is John Wayne's movie, The Alamo. While not a great or historically accurate film, John Wayne's epic is very sympathetic to the Mexicans. In Wayne's film Santa Anna is shown behaving chivalrously in letting the women and children evacuate the Alamo and saluting Susanna Dickenson as she and the other survivors leave the fort after the battle. In this movie Crockett defends a Mexican woman against an American who is persecuting her. Juan Seguin has a significant, and positive part in the film. In the depiction of the probing attack defenders of the Alamo praise the courage of the attacking Mexicans. And Richard Widmark, as Bowie, waxes eloquent in his love for Mexico and the Mexican people.

The program misses an opprtunity to use more of the de la Pena diary, now conceeded by most to be substantially authentic, allthough otherwise its sourcing was good.

On the subject of casualties, it is interesting that Santa Anna claimed the number of casualties among the defenders to be 600. It is possible that he picked this number because it exceeded his own casualties. All things considered, it seems likely that several hundred Mexican Soldiers died in the battle.

In short, a very good documentary missed a chance to be a great one.

Do not listen (read) naysayers.......2003-11-14

The reason that one would not be able to find information, i.e., if they are a 'mainstreamer', is that they have not bothered to read more than the textual references given in hostory class. Being a Native Texan and in that, from San Antonio I have a vested interest in this event. For one, a very detailed description of the events has been given by survivors - Mexican survivors, that is. One of General Santa Anna's generals kept a detailed diary of the events leading up to the attack in which it does indicate that there were several people who surrendered. Another Texan, who was eventually driven out of Texas because he dared to indicate what the Daughters of the Republic of Texas refused to contemplate, (we get into racism here), also notes that Crockett was one of the surrenders. Furthermore, an in-depth study of Crockett as well as some of the others, would recveal that they had no intention of being 'heroes'. They were opportunists. Also, one sidebar that is overlooked by many historians, is that they men who fought in the Alamo were NOT Americans. They had volunutarily become Mexican citizens to acquire the land that Mexico was initially offering. This battle took place because they rebelled against teh constitution of 1824 of Mexico. In addition, if one is 'really' interested books such as 'Dual of Eagles' by Jeff Long and 'With Santa Anna' by Jose Enrique De La Pena - and BTW Susanna Dickenson was a survivor along with Travis' African-American slave - Joe.

excerpted from:http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/CC/fcr24.html
Crockett died in battle of the Alamoqv on March 6, 1836. The manner of his death was uncertain, however, until the publication in 1975 of the diary of Lt. José Enrique de la Peña. Susanna Dickinson,qv wife of Almaron Dickinson,qv an officer at the Alamo, said Crockett died on the outside, one of the earliest to fall. Joe,qv Travis's slave and the only male Texan to survive the battle, reported seeing Crockett lying dead with slain Mexicans around him and stated that only one man, named Warner, surrendered to the Mexicans (Warner was taken to Santa Anna and promptly shot). When Peña's eyewitness account was placed together with other corroborating documents, Crockett's central part in the defense became clear. Travis had previously written that during the first bombardment Crockett was everywhere in the Alamo "animating the men to do their duty." Other reports told of the deadly fire of his rifle that killed five Mexican gunners in succession, as they each attempted to fire a cannon bearing on the fort, and that he may have just missed Santa Anna, who thought himself out of range of all the defenders' rifles. Crockett and five or six others were captured when the Mexican troops took the Alamo at about six o'clock that morning, even though Santa Anna had ordered that no prisoners be taken. The general, infuriated when some of his officers brought the Americans before him to try to intercede for their lives, ordered them executed immediately. They were bayoneted and then shot. Crockett's reputation and that of the other survivors was not, as some have suggested, sullied by their capture. Their dignity and bravery was, in fact, further underscored by Peña's recounting that "these unfortunates died without complaining and without humiliating themselves before their torturers."

Coincidentally, a work mostly of fiction masquerading as fact had put the truth of Crockett's death before the American public in the summer of 1836. Despite its many falsifications and plagiarisms, Richard Penn Smith's Col. Crockett's Exploits and Adventures in Texas...Written by Himself had a reasonably accurate account of Crockett's capture and execution. Many thought the legendary Davy deserved better, and they provided it, from thrilling tales of his clubbing Mexicans with his empty rifle and holding his section of the wall of the Alamo until cut down by bullets and bayonets, to his survival as a slave in a Mexican salt mine.

So please make educated comments based on viable and accessible information. Thank you.

An uninteresting and speculative account of the Alamo.......2003-04-14

This is a unique look at the Alamo, but not a particularly good one. I have found that some History Channel documentaries are grossly inaccurate, and I suspect this one of just that flaw. Everyone knows something of what happened at the Alamo--the movies, books, and legends of the battle that took place there are many--but this film seems to concentrate on removing the myth from the Alamo, and of dismissing as fable most of the stories about that fateful battle.

The problem, however, is that the film is not very convincing in its dismissal of legend. It denies that Col. Travis ever made his famous line in the sand, and that the defenders of the Alamo were there only because they thought reenforcements were coming soon. It alleges that Davy Crockett surrendered, and that he was executed while pleading for his life. I have no problem with dispelling myths in an attempt to retain history, but there is a problem with all of this: there were no American survivors. How are we to know that Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie did not die fighting? The very problem of this film is that it is every bit as speculative (and sometimes more) as the 'legends' it is trying to disprove.

Description

A comedic romp that celebrates the power of friendship to turn your life around, Dias de Futbol introduces us to Antonio, an ex-convict and amateur shrink who convinces his pals that the best way to overcome their midlife crises and lack of success with women is to reassemble their old soccer team and win something in life, even if only a local championship. Directed by David Serrano. Starring Alberto San Juan, Natalia Verbeke (Dot the I, Son of the Bride), Pere Ponce, and Fernando Tejero.

Customer Reviews:

Una película extremadamente graciosa.......2007-03-17

Que les puedo decir, es una película vulgar y he ahí la gracia de ella. Si les gustan las ocurrencias ordinarias de gente ordinaria, pues es su película y logra demostrar de buena forma que la vida común puede ser una comedia. Y a todos aquellos que han tenido amigos de cuadra o de barrio, pues se van a ver ahí y siempre seremos jovenes

Average customer rating:

Spousal Abuse: A Horrifyingly Real Story of the Consequences
A Spanish Award Winner--"Take My Eyes" Is A Thoughtful, Intelligent Portrait Of Domestic Abuse

Take My Eyes
Starring: Laia Marull , Luis Tosar , Candela Peña , Rosa Maria Sardà , and Kiti Manver
Director: Icíar Bollaín
Manufacturer: New Yorker Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video

Volver
Pan's Labyrinth (New Line Two-Disc Platinum Series)
House of Sand (Widescreen)
Babel
The Last King of Scotland (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000HXDWOQ
Release Date: 2006-11-07

Amazon.com

Take My Eyes, a drama about a couple entangled in an abusive relationship, proves that Spanish Director Icíar Bollaín has studied the aggressor's mindset in order to portray the violent husband, Antonio (Luis Tosar) with a certain amount of sympathy. The film enlightens rather than enrages. Antonio, who beats his wife Pilar (Laia Marull), is a complex character overcome by his insecurity that Pilar will leave him. Take My Eyes opens on Pilar taking her son to live with her sister, safe from Antonio's uncontrolled anger. Antonio stalks Pilar, warning that he can't survive without her, then signs up for therapy. Conversely, Pilar is co-dependent, unable to see Antonio's cruelty because of her blind belief in the construct of marriage due to her mother's past, similar history with her deceased husband. Pilar's sister's wedding and Pilar's new job as a museum docent acquired in her effort to command independence exacerbates the couple's dilemma. Pilar returns to Antonio but a terrifying incident scares her permanently away from him. Throughout, one senses Pilar's impending danger, but the complexities of her and Antonio's arrangement, including her motherly role in their relationship, sheds light on domestic violence for those viewers who are baffled by it. Take My Eyes also explains how detrimentally far couples will go to stay together for their child. Well-acted and nicely written, Take My Eyes is a smart film about the horrors of abuse. The docudrama extra on this DVD, A Love That Kills, further delves into cruelty in a more educational setting, the counselor's office. --Trinie Dalton

Description

Beginning as an edge-of-your-seat noir thriller, a terrified Pilar hastily flees in the middle of the night with her young son as if her life depends on it. Reaching her Sister Ana's house, Pilar breaks down in turmoil. Banging on Ana's front door is Pilar's husband, Antonio who in a fit of rage screams for Pilar to return home. But Pilar holds tight. With Ana's support, Pilar is determined to save herself from Antonio's rage. Settling in with Ana, Pilar begins a new career, and finds a greater sense of self. Yet the very passionate Antonio is far from a one-dimensional brute, and the bond between Pilar and Antonio is deep- tangling together love, eroticism, and submissiveness. Their relationship has always been a potent mix of love and anger.

Customer Reviews:

Spousal Abuse: A Horrifyingly Real Story of the Consequences.......2007-03-13

TE DOY MIS OJOS (Take My Eyes) is a blisteringly real examination of spousal abuse - the etiology, the mechanisms, the concept of co-dependency, and the high rate of recidivism - all bound together in a brilliant screenplay by Alicia Luna and director Icíar Bollaín. It won many Goyas (read Oscars) in Spain and for good reason: this is a powerful film about an indelicate subject from a country (Spain) not usually comfortable discussing much less film such issues.

Pilar (Laia Marull) and her son Juan (Nicolás Fernández Luna) live in a small apartment with husband/father Antonio (Luis Tosar), a small section of hell where daily Antonio abuses Pilar with an uncontrollable anger. Pilar and Juan leave one night to live with Pilar's soon to be married sister Ana (Candela Peña) and fiance, a Scotsman John (David Mooney). Ana encourages Pilar to divorce the abusive Antonio but Pilar is frightened, fearing she has no means of support and admitting that there are parts of Antonio she still loves. Complicating Pilar's thinking is her mother Aurora (the fine Rosa Maria Sardà) who tries to underplay the problem by insisting that all marriages have their little problems! Antonio stalks Pilar, pleading for her to return, but every encounter results in a flair-up of Antonio's abusive behavior. Pilar finds a menial job at the museum in Toledo, a position she loves and soon is training to become a guide, loving speaking tot he public about art. Antonio agrees to seek help for his behavioral problems and enters group therapy and private therapy (Sergi Calleja) and begins bringing flowers and gifts and constant attention to Ana, hoping to have her return home. And return Ana does, with Juan, and with some newfound sense of self worth form her position at the museum. But as soon as Ana is 'home' a horrifying incident occurs and she gathers the strength to see the relationship clearly and respond correctly.

The cast of actors is brilliant, the pacing of the film keeps the viewer on seat's edge, the cinematography by Carles Gusi captures the magic of Toledo, Spain, the musical score by Alberto Iglesias is first rate classical writing, and the amount of information about a little understood problem is an additional reward that accompanies this superb film. The film is in Spanish with English subtitles and the DVD adds a featurette that further examines a treatment center for abusive men feels like a much needed public service ploy. This is one of those films that would be easy to ignore because of the subject matter, but that is a real reason to view it - in addition to the fact that it is such a fine work of art. Grady Harp, March 07

A Spanish Award Winner--"Take My Eyes" Is A Thoughtful, Intelligent Portrait Of Domestic Abuse.......2006-11-08

Having never even heard of the Spanish film "Take My Eyes," I did a little research prior to watching it. I was amazed to see that it had actually won many international film prizes. It swept the Goya Awards (Spain's equivalent to the Oscar) in 2004, picking up Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Screenplay. Stateside, Luis Tosar even picked up Best Actor at the Seattle International Film Festival. Suitably impressed with this pedigree, I went into "Take My Eyes."

"Take My Eyes" is an intimate story of domestic abuse. It was particularly noteworthy in Spain where most domestic violence is unreported. It's not an "open" topic for discussion and not nearly as publicized there as it is in other countries. The story that it presents is one that American audiences are all too familiar with--and it breaks no new ground plotwise. What it does offer, however, are great performances and an earnest attempt to depict all sides of the situation.

Laia Marull is extremely potent and believable as the lead. She plays the faithful wife--and her love for her husband is just as well established as her fear. As she struggles to rebuild her life--you see her hope, optimism and happiness blossom. But you also see devastation and betrayal and finally hatred. It's an emotional tour de force. But where this film is unique and special is in the husband's character played by Luis Tosar. He is not a stock villain. He is sympathetic to a large degree as he honestly loves his wife but is unable to control his anger. Much of the film centers on his attempt to rehabilitate himself with therapy. I really appreciated this even handed approach. It was thoughtful and intelligent.

Seek this film out. It's a sensitive and astute portrait of one particular relationship. With strong performances and intelligent writing, this is a story that will stay with you. KGHarris, 11/06.

Average customer rating:

The Alamo Documentary
If you must watch a film about the Alamo, watch this one
Remember the Alamo - forget this DVD
Investigates the Alamo as no other documentary has done!

The Alamo Documentary
Starring: Frank Thompson (IV) , Stephen L. Hardin , Bruce Winders , Don Graham (III) , and Joan Headley
Director: Lynn Stevenson
Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Biography | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The History Channel Presents The Alamo
The Alamo (Widescreen Edition)
The Alamo
Heroes of the Alamo
The Martyrs of the Alamo

ASIN: B0001LYFGI
Release Date: 2004-03-30

Description

INVESTIGATES THE HISTORY, MYTH AND POPULAR CULTURE OF THE ALAMO!

On March 6, 1836 the 13-day siege of the Alamo ended. Among the dead were three men destined to become martyrs and heroes: David Crockett, James Bowie and William B. Travis. Cries of Remember the Alamo! would eventually fuel an American victory over Mexico. The Alamo and its defenders grew into enduring symbols of courage and sacrifice in the face of overwhelming odds.

Controversy has always been part of the history and legend of the Alamo. Whether they hold traditional or revisionist views, people are passionate about their opinions.

~Were Crockett, Travis and Bowie a "Holy Trinity" or less than perfect human beings?
~Why were Tejanos like Juan Seguin, who fought for Texas liberty alongside the Anglos, virtually ignored in history books until recently?
~How did Crockett die?
~Did Travis draw a line in the sand?
~How many defenders were really there, and how many attackers?
~Did everyone die, or were there survivors?

Since 1836, the Alamo and its heroes have been immortalized in countless poems, songs, plays, books and movies. The films of Walt Disney starring Fess Parker inspired a Davy Crockett craze that covered the nation with coon skin caps and merchandise ranging from games to salt shakers to ladies underwear.

TOTAL RUNNING TIME APPROXIMATELY: 115 MIN.

*Interviews with authors, historians, anthropologists, reenactors, collectors, and others contrast and collide as history meets myth meets popular culture.
*See rare photos and movie clips from the collection of Alamo author and historian, Frank Thompson.
*Tour the Alamo grounds in San Antonio, Texas with curator/historian, Bruce Winders.
*Watch highlights of a Battle of Bejar reenactment staged by the San Antonio Living History Association.
*Visit rare, private collections of period weapons, uniforms, movie costumes (including John Wayne's), props, posters, artwork, and Crockett craze memorabilia.

Customer Reviews:

The Alamo Documentary.......2007-03-08

I thought the film was informative. During the early part of the film there was a lot of history, interesting observations from both sides of the war. But I was bored to tears when they began the Davey Crockett memorabilia segment. But if you are a Texas history buff, it is worth spending the time watching. I particularly enjoyed the black and white segments that were add ins. Quite humorus.

If you must watch a film about the Alamo, watch this one.......2006-07-20

Richard Reyes Flores is a very smart man with an insightful take on how "the Alamo" became such a huge deal, and so destructive to real live human beings. This documentary, however, doesn't do Flores' profound analysis justice. Better to read _Remembering the Alamo: Memory, modernity and the mastery symbol_(2002), his edited volume of Adina de Zavala's writings, his book about _los Pastores_, or one of his articles (Google Scholar will help you out there)....Relative to other Alamo productions (yuck), this film is excellent, but in itself, just okay.

Remember the Alamo - forget this DVD.......2006-05-28

The main problem with this 75-minute documentary is it does not give a sense of the historical "big picture".

It starts off with historians and museum curators telling us what was wrong with all the movies made about the Alamo and the depiction of the characters in them, then wanders around the subject of the battle itself. However, it fails to present a decent time-line of history, and leaves you wondering what all the fuss was about.

Extras include the 40-minute 1937 movie called "Remember the Alamo", which at least gives a little historical perspective on the subject. Also is a 5-minute piece about weapons and uniforms described by an unusually dressed (in real life) man from the main documentary. Finally there is a trailer from John Wayne's 1960 version of "The Alamo".

There must be better presentations of the subject, though the inexpensive price makes this DVD not a total waste as a second source of information.

Investigates the Alamo as no other documentary has done!.......2004-04-21

This documentary explores the history and pop culture as no other has done before: it explores how the Alamo became a cultural icon, and tours Alamo collections (including some rare John Wayne memorabilia!). There is also a re-enactment battle scene, which I found rather interesting as I may not ever get a chance to see it in person.
This DVD is a rather fascinating look at things about the Alamo that you never knew before. There is an introduction by Frank Thompson, noted Alamo authority!

Average customer rating:

Stunning film
Original and touching !

Te doy mis ojos
Starring: Laia Marull , Luis Tosar , Candela Peña , Rosa Maria Sardà , and Kiti Manver
Director: Icíar Bollaín
Manufacturer: Manga Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Flores De Otro Mundo: Flowers From Another World
The Sea Inside
Machuca
El Bola
Bolivia

ASIN: B000ALCQ2E

Product Description

Spain released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. Languages: o English (subtitles) o French (subtitles) o Spanish (subtitles) o Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1) Synopsis: Spanish actress/author/filmmaker Icar Bollan writes and directs the family drama Te Doy Mis Ojos (Take My Eyes), co-written by Alicia Luna. Pilar (Laia Marull) leaves her abusive husband, Antonio (Luis Tosar), during the middle of winter in Toledo, Spain. She and her son, Juan (Nicols Fernndez Luna), go to live with her sister Ana (Candela Pea). While supportive, Ana doesn't fully understand Pilar's situation. Pilar's mother, Aurora (Rosa Mara Sard), refuses to acknowledge the problem. Antonio is desperate to win back Pilar. He sends her constant presents and even attends therapy sessions in order to work through his anger. Meanwhile, Pilar gets a job at an art museum and tries to restart her life. Take My Eyes won several awards at the San Sebastian Film Festival before making its U.S. premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004. - Brilliant film! One winter´s night, a woman, Pilar escapes from her house. With her, she takes just a few things, and her son, Juan. Antonio is soon on her trail. He says Pilar is his sunshine and what´s more, she "gave him" her eyes. Throughout the film, the characters struggle to rewrite a strict set of family norms decreeing who´s who and who does what. They´re based on all the wrong notions. Where it says "home", read "hell"; where it says, "love", there is pain; and where those norms promise protection, they really mean terror. Special Features: o Deleted Scenes o Filmographies o Interactive Menu o Photo Gallery o Production Notes o Scene Access o Trailer(s)

Customer Reviews:

Stunning film.......2006-09-04

Te Doy Mis Ojos is a stunning film that not only captures abuse and oppression but does so in the beautiful yet (sometimes) stifling city of Toledo, Spain, one of the country's most conservative cities. It's a great example of how Spanish society has awakened to the reality of domestic abuse and the need for independence in women. Another fascinating Spanish film in the same vein (domestic abuse & progress in Spain) is El Bola. It's really too bad Te Doy Mis Ojos doesn't come in USA DVD format.

Original and touching !.......2005-09-06

The thousand and thousand cases of familiar violence that we know are not but the iceberg's point. How many hidden cases do really exist at this moment?
This bold film focuses around a typical case of excessive abuse, evident physical violence and mental cruelty exerted by (Can we design this human being a man?) this extremely fearful, visibly dangerous, potential murder and weak mind husband who considers his wife as a possession and enjoyment personal, a simple furniture who may be disposed to clean, cook and make love to satisfy him exclusively. He is far to understand any relationship according this distorted approach only can generate fear and mortal silence, that eventually can become in a time bomb, able to explode anytime.
After you leave the hall, think about and make memory around your social environment. You will ever find weird behavior in many people you knew, in your workplace, in your University classroom (and I do not only mean students but teachers too, as I personally had), AA, distorted behavior patterns that you hardly could understand because you were fortunately living out of that oppressive atmosphere.
A top-notch to watch over and over and a magnificent pretext to initiate open and sincere conferences and discussions around the world about this issue, that pitifully goes on generating serious and unexpected emotional responses in human beings who eventually can reach elevated positions in several power spheres.
Remarkable performances by all cast. Spain is a true nest of promising talents.
Laia Marull (Pilar) and Luis Tosar (Antoinio) won deservedly , the prizes of Best Actress and Best Actor in San Sebastian Film Festival 2003.
An outstanding film. Do not miss.!
And don't forget to Laia, the most prominent actress in years.