| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Cyndie |
Posted - April 10 2004 : 11:07:29 PM
Well - I bet some of you are wondering... We got to go to one of the Houston premiere/preview viewings on Tuesday. We were totally excited. We got to go in costume and Clabert was so in his element talking to the crowd. They were very excited to talk to someone who was actually in the movie. The radio station that was hosting the event had him get up before the movie started and tell a few stories about filming and then he introduced the movie. We had already been warned that the majority of the stuff he had filmed had been cut but we were not prepared for the change up in the actual story. It was sooooo good. We were not ready to start looking for him early in the film as originally his stuff was going to be shown after the fall of the Alamo so we weren't really looking to find him. Dennis Quaid did an amazing job and the story was really turned to tell it a lot from his (Sam Houston's) perspective. Personally - I am glad they got away from the typical Disney type story they had planned (two boys - one Mexican, one Texian - fight each other throughout the movie and kill each other in the end - so sad, Lassie come home stuff). Billy Bob was AWESOME. Did I say AWESOME REALLY AWESOME???? Clabert spotted himself a few times throughout but it was too quick for me to see. I was so sad! Then toward the end (for those of you who want to find him it is about 2 or 3 scenes after a Mexican officer is shot and falls forward in the lake at the massacre) I saw him! There he was plain as day shooting his gun from the shore and turning to reload!!! There is a man in a top hat and beside him (to your right as you are looking at the screen) is Clabert!!! My own personal movies star <VBG>. The ending is very very good and was unexpected... Anyhow. We went back when it opened on Friday and this time we were not quite so hyper and were more able to actually watch the movie. Clabert saw himself a total of 5 times this time and I saw him in another scene too (if you look behind the Mexican soldier they drag into Sam Houston's camp you will see Clabert talking and "holding back" the Texians who are trying to crowd around the prisoner-directly behing the guy that hands Juan Sequin the canteen). Speaking of Juan Sequin - wow. What a hottie!! I wasn't that big of a Jorde Molla fan before but he does a really good job in this. Watching the movie more closely this time was really moving. I must admit I teared up a few times. Of course being from Texas we have lived and breathed this story all of our lives and to see it told so correctly was quite an experience. I would have loved it even if my honey wasn't in it! By the way - Emily and Kevin were at the Tuesday screening with us! We got to sit together and watch it! So far from what we have seen and what we know, everything that happens in the movie is as it really happened. Even the story Billy Bob tells about the Creek war is a true story by several accounts. Of course there are liberties taken with minor details but the main story lines and personal accounts of Bowie, Travis, Crockett, and Houston are as right as they can be with what historians know. As I said before MUCH of what Clabert was involved in filming was left on the cutting room floor. But from what we have been told when the DVD directors cut comes out, it will all be added back in. We sure hope so!!! Now that it is out, I will try to get some of the "pictures that weren't taken" on the set scanned and posted. Heeheehee. Oh yeah!! When the settlers are fleeing ahead of Santa Anna's army going through the Piney Woods you can see Buck Taylor (Newlie in Gun Smoke, Creek Johnson in Tombstone) and he is wearing the quilled knife sheath Clabert made for him. How cool is that??? I better stop now before this becomes a BOOK!!!!! Sorry for all the jumping back and forth but I am still so excited! |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Theresa |
Posted - April 12 2004 : 07:10:31 AM
Cyndie,
I'll drop the article in the mail today. |
| Cyndie |
Posted - April 11 2004 : 10:58:00 PM
Nah - he isn't listed in the credits. Way too many extras for that I guess. We would love to have the article for our scrapbook!
I know Rich said don't say he is too busy but... my poor sweetie is sooooo busy. He went to work for my dad and is having to drive 103 miles each way (2 hours) to Freeport, Texas (on the coast). That is 4 hours driving and 10 hours working 4 days a week. And if they rain out during the day - he has to go on Friday also. He is literally exhausted most days! Sure wish he woulda got rich making movies... |
| Theresa |
Posted - April 11 2004 : 7:44:47 PM
Cyndie,
Meant to ask this earlier. Is Clabert listed in the credits as "Gonzales Man"?
There was an article in today's Birmingham News about the movie and the actual Alamo itself. I'd be happy to send it to you. There's a nice color picture of re-enactors from San Antonio firing their weapons to commemorate. There's also a picture from the movie showing three men in silhouette atop what looks like a hill with a beautiful sunset/sunrise?. Let me know if you want it.
And I echo Rich's sentiments about us missing your better half 'round these parts. |
| Dillon1836 |
Posted - April 11 2004 : 3:00:24 PM
Rich,I saw the Alamo an the 9th and it is an excellent film.It has it's flaws,but beautifully done! |
| richfed |
Posted - April 11 2004 : 09:06:59 AM
Haven't seen this yet, but hope to, once, on the big screen. Looking for Clabert will probably have to wait till the DVD comes out, though! [Have I mentioned that he is sorely missed around these parts? Don't tell me he's "busy." I KNOW busy!  ]
Anyway, the film is getting VERY mixed reviews - both extremes and everything inbetween. That's OK. So did "Gettysburg" and "Meet Joe Black" ... and me loves both them films! |
| Theresa |
Posted - April 11 2004 : 08:24:28 AM
WOW! Cyndie, thank you for giving us this story. We're excited about seeing this film. We will look for Clabert in those scenes you told us about. Not sure yet when we're going...but we're definitely going.
I can just see Clabert standing before the crowd prior to the movie telling his story...a la Gathering 2001 at Table Rock. 
|
| Cyndie |
Posted - April 10 2004 : 11:25:18 PM
One more thing (I promise! - well for now anyhow...) If any of y'all want a chance to walk around the movie set there will be a big festival on the site in Dripping Springs, Texas on May 15th. Go to www.legendsoftexasswing.com to check it out. Some friends we made through the movie are putting it on and we will have a booth set up and Clabert will be getting on stage to do some demo/talks. We have heard rumor that this may be one of the only times the public will be able to see the set as it was very "Hollywood" made and may not last all that long. Don't know that for sure though. It will be my first chance to see it myself and I can't wait. Lots of good Texas Swing bands will be playing and it should be a really great time for anyone who comes. Let us know if you are going to be there and we will be looking for you. Sounds like a good chance for some of you folks to come to Texas for a visit if you ask me... |
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