Video Viewing Guide Review, The Alamo

THE BEGINNING:

The beginning of the film takes you to the Alamo after the battle has occurred.

1. What was the Alamo originally established as?

2. Why was the Alamo considered a crossroads for siege?

3. What do the marks on the rocks represent?

ONE YEAR EARLIER:

Takes you to a scene with people entering into a building. They are attending a play; a man stands outside mumbling.

4. The man is mumbling, “640 of your choosing”. To what do you think he is referring?

SAN FELIPE:

This is the town of San Felipe and there are men attending a meeting. This is after the Battle of San Antonio.

5. What is the name of this meeting?

6. About what are the men at this meeting arguing?

7. What is Travis signing in the office with his wife?

8. Where will his son, Charlie, stay while he is away?

HOUSTON AND BOWIE ON THE PORCH:

Houston and Bowie are seated on an outside porch at night discussing what Texas should do next.

9. What does Houston mean by, “Texas is being wasted on the Texians”?

10. What does Houston want from Bowie?

TRAVIS SAYS GOOD BYE TO HIS SON:

Travis is saying goodbye to his young son, Charlie, leaving him with a family to care for him. 11. Travis says to his son, “One crowded hour of glorious life is worth more than an age without a name.” What do you think this statement means?

SAN ANTONIO:

Bowie passes through the town of San Antonio with his men.

12. Why does the town of San Antonio look worn down and damaged?

THE ALAMO:

Travis is marching into the Alamo with his men on horseback.

13. How did the Alamo get its name?

14. Did we think that Santa Anna would march all through winter, some 300 miles from Mexico back to Texas?

15. Travis confronts Bowie over his plan to do what?

16. What is Travis asking for in the letter he wrote while under siege at the Alamo?

17. What does Santa Annas red flag raised at the Alamo mean?

18. Why is Bowie ill?

19. What is the name of the song Santa Anna had played every morning at the Alamo?

BRAZOS RIVER AREA:

A meeting is being held amongst the Texans around the Brazos river area where a letter is received from William B Travis.

20. What is the name of the meeting being held at the cabin on the Brazos River?

21. What is Houstons response to Travis letter?

GONZALES, TX:

Sam Houston has now left Washington-on-the-Brazos and is waiting in Gonzales with about 124 men.

22. Sam Houston again receives word that Travis needs men to come to the Alamo. Why does he still refuse to send help? BACK TO THE ALAMO:

We return to the battle of the Alamo

23. Travis gives a speech to the people defending the Alamo. What does Texas mean to Travis?

24. Why do you think Crocket plays his fiddle back tin response to Santa Anna?

SANTA ANNA HOLDS A MEETING:

Santa Anna holds a meeting with his generals and they analyze the battle.

25. How does Santa Anna view his own soldiers?

26. How does Santa Anna view the Alamo defenders?

27. When do Santa Annas forces finally attack the Alamo?

(Clue remember question # 3)

EVACUATION to FINAL BATTLE:

Sam Houston has ordered an evacuation of many of the southern Texas settlements. Sam Houston is criticized for running away from the enemy.

28. What is the name of this evacuation called?

29. Why does Houston choose to evacuate or “run” from Santa Anna and his army?

30. What does Juan Seguin order his men to do so as not to be mistaken for Mexican soldiers during the final battle?

31. At what time of day do is the attack planned for the final battle?

32. How long did the battle take?

33. The day after the battle, Santa Anna was captured. What was he wearing?

34. Sam Houston tells his men, “You will settle for blood, I want Texas.” What does he mean by this statement?

35. What documents does Santa Anna sign?