MovieChat Forums > The Alamo (2004) Discussion > Billy Bob's Crockett

Billy Bob's Crockett

posted 11 years ago by bpmct
9 replies | jump to latest

Made me wish they'd film Crockett's autobiography (great read, by the way) with him. Billy Bob did such a great job in this one...

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[–] Raging-Bullwinkle 11 years ago

I agree. I thought the entire cast was strong, and Billy Bob's portrayal of Crockett was refreshing. Especially after being subjected to John Wayne's job in his laughable "Alamo" production. The attention to detail throughout this flick was admireable, including Crockett. Ovwrall I think the film is extremely underrated.

[–] rvrjose 8 years ago

One thing I noticed about Billy Bob is he resembled the real David (Davy) Crockett compared to John Wayne or even Fess Parker. I'm saying from the Real life Portraits that where painted of him when he was still alive. If you don't believe me look em up. I'm sure the directors made Billy Bob resemble his portraits for accuracy.

[–] FinneganBear 8 years ago

I think Thornton did a great job except for one very noticeable flaw. He appeared frightened to fire his rifle. He held it away from his face.

[–] jmcody 7 years ago

While the film is deeply flawed and schizophrenic (sp), the performance of Thorton is nuanced, complex and extremely well done. It makes the film required viewing and is one of his greatest performances.

Keep The Change Bob.

"The Maestro says its Mozart, when it sounds like bubblegum."

[–] FinneganBear 7 years ago

I agree, and having read a great deal about Crockett and the Alamo, I think Thornton captured the great discrepancy between the man and the legend that accompanied him. Crockett was a legend in his own time based on the tall tales (and a play) that had been used to advance his political career. He was a true marksman (his main job in Andrew Jackson's campaign against the Indians was to hunt and provide meat for the soldiers) but never the fighting man that the legend made him out to be. He went to Texas with political ambitions. But by all accounts, Crockett gave a very good accounting himself at the Alamo. John Wayne's Crockett was a caricature. Thornton' Crockett seemed very accurate (other than when he fired his rifle as I noted above). I love the movie and his performance.

[–] jmcody 7 years ago

Well said Finnegan!

One of the aspects of Thorton's performance which resounds is the feeling of entrapment. His Crockett is a man caged by his own mythos. He is almost a virtual Elvis in he knows he is nothing near the reputation and rock star status he has allowed the political machine to become. He appears intending to show up at the Alamo in order to make a publicity stunt and sadly finds out it is going to become more. He is a man who will meet a tragic end because of his celebrity. However, as you so elequently (sp) point out, he ends up acquiting himself well. This is a sadly underrated and overlooked, if not forgotten performance.

Keep The Change Bob.

"The Maestro says its Mozart, when it sounds like bubblegum."

[–] FinneganBear 7 years ago

One of the film's best scenes is between Crockett and Bowie when Bowie says, "Can you catch a cannonball, Davy? Those aren't bears out there." The scene suggests that Bowie--who was the real deal in terms of a tough fighting man, yet overshadowed by the legend of a 'poser'--knew that Crockett was in over his head. Bowie was the last guy you wanted to mess with but the first guy you wanted on your side. He knew that Crockett was a politician who had woven tall tales to advance his ambitions. It's a great scene in which Bowie recounts some real life exploits (the Sandbar fight) that far exceed anything Crockett ever even dreamed about even tho Crockett is the more nationally renown hero whose rep is based on legend rather than fact. Altho this is a fictionalized scene, given the nature of both men, it's easy to understand that Bowie would have been perplexed by the attention Crockett received.

[–] Darren (1113) 5 years ago

I don't know as Bowie would have been perplexed by the attention Crockett received -- he would have well understood how tall tales get spread around, after all. But I think he would have been bemused by it. I like the scene as well, because it shows that despite Crockett being such a celebrity, mostly for things he hadn't done, Bowie seems to like and respect him. I think that's because of his honesty. Had Crockett been a swaggering poser, trying to be the great and famous Davy Crockett, Bowie would have seen right through him and shown contempt. But Crockett was honest, admitting that his legend really took off because of that rather silly play, and now he has to live up to the image. He also admits that he's afraid (nothing wrong with that -- only a fool feels no fear going into a battle), but that because of his famous name, he can't be seen to be afraid. I think Bowie respects him for his honesty in that scene.

[–] ATG6 (3000) 3 years ago

hey, that black powder can burn