All language subtitles for The Last Command (1955)

As a man, he never wanted praise nor
glory,

but to stand and take the last command.

Mexican Republic north of the Rio
Grande, an area of more than 300 ,000

miles, was a province known as Texas, an
almost limitless land populated by

tribes of native Indians and a
scattering of Mexican citizens.

From the north and east had come others,
settlers who took up lands granted them

by the Mexican government in an effort
to speed the development of the new

territory.

But, like to all new people in a new raw
land,

Problems arose.

Yes, sir.

done in any such fashion.

It's foolishness, I tell you.

And you're fools if you think you can
take the law into your own hands. If

you're scared, say so. But don't call us
fools.

Listen, let's wait till we know what
we're doing.

Let's have reason.

We've got our rights guaranteed to us.
By who? By that double -crossing Mexican

president, Santa Ana?

I'm getting mighty sick of losing
neighbors in the dead of night, and the

thing you know, they're stuck in some
stinking Mexican jail.

Better lower our voices.

It's got listeners all around us.

They've arrested Mr. Travis. Take him
over to the military commander's place.

Seven cavalrymen. You see?

I've been telling you.

You're fools. I told you not to call us
fools anymore.

Like you to let him be for a moment.

Seems to me a man has a right to say
what he thinks.

I'd like to hear more.

Who are you?

I'm Jim Bowie.

Thank you, sir.

If a man makes a living selling
perfectly legitimate merchandise, they

he's a traitor.

Oh, listen to sense.

I'm a businessman.

Therefore, suspect.

Of what?

I'll say good day.

Thank you again.

Mr. Bowie, I'm Jeb Lacey.

How are you?

I'd like to say it's a pleasure to meet
you, sir.

It is, huh?

Perhaps I could tell you anything you'd
like to know.

All right, tell me.

What, sir?

Well, what's going on?

Why there's nobody on the street?

The place is locked up tight. Everybody
in here are one mind.

Well, I don't understand everything it's
about, sir, but...

Our people need a better deal from the
Mexicans. They've been treating us like

we had no rights at all.

Mr. William Travis, he's a lawyer from
South Carolina.

Real bright, knows the law good.

Well, Mr. Travis has been kind of our
spokesman.

I guess he talked too loud because the
military commander arrested him.

Juan Bradburn, that'd be.

You know him?

Sort of.

Without knowing much more about it, I'm
inclined to be on lawyer Travis' side.

Just keep walking.

But, señor... I know exactly where
you're going. You'll be pleased to know

going right along with you.

¿Qué pasa?

Señor Boy.

Jim Boy.

What are you doing here?

Came to do you a favor, Colonel.

Brought you a little present, too.

He's not very pretty and he doesn't
smell too good, but...

He's yours, all yours.

What do I want with him, a man I never
saw in my life before?

One, I've known you for a long time.

Long before you were a big, important
military governor.

And I know how you operate.

I do not operate with stupid idiots.

We're so obvious they get themselves in
trouble.

Seems to me you're in a little trouble
yourself.

Me? How would you like it if Santa Ana
heard that you couldn't manage your own

province? That the Texians were getting
hot under the collar because you'd been

playing too rough with them. That you
planted spies all around them. That you

made a mistake that a child wouldn't
make.

Arresting that lawyer, Travis.

Sending him to Mexico City tomorrow.

He's a revolutionary, a traitor.

A big talker who stirred up the people.

President Santana would be pleased.

Not when he hears it the way I'll tell
him.

What is it you can suggest I do?

I'll give you back your agent.

I do not want that bumbling jackass.
I'll give you back your agent. If you

take him, I'll turn him over to the
Texans.

And that wouldn't be good for you,
Colonel.

In return, what must I give to you?

Travis.

And that is why I thank you for coming.

Whatever else we determine here tonight,
the first order for decision is how we

shall inhibit Juan Bradburn from sending
William Travis to the dungeon. That

won't be necessary.

I brought my rescuer with me. Senor
Travis, what a pleasure to see you free

again. Senor Bowie, I did not know you
were in Anahuac.

Glad to see you, Senor Casada. What is
this Senor Travis says about his rescue?

I still don't know what happened.

Bradburn came to me with Jim Bowie and
said a mistake had been made. Oh, Juan

Bradburn. He's a very impetuous man.

I kind of told him that myself.

Hello, Jim.

Gentlemen, an old friend, James Bowie.

One of our biggest landowners and a
friend of all Texians.

Senor Radin.

Senor.

I know most of these men. I don't want
to interfere. I'll just take a seat, if

may. Gentlemen, please.

To those of you who do not know me well,
and who may wonder why I have thrown in

my lot with you colonists, I would like
to say that I have received reports,

deeply troubling reports from my people,
my relatives in Mexico,

that the Presidente General Santana is
moving quickly towards despotic powers.

And we, my people, do not wish to return
to any form of despotism.

Either here in Texas or in any other
part of Mexico.

And now, Senor Travis.

Gentlemen.

Four months ago, this group sent to
Mexico City our good friend Mr. Stephen

Austin with a petition stating our
requests for certain governmental

Mr. Austin was shortly thrown into a
military prison for, they say, writing a

letter... advising us that only the
strongest measures could secure justice

under Santa Ana.

I, for one, agree wholeheartedly with
the sentiments of Mr. Austin, who is

rotting in a dungeon in Mexico City.

I say to you now that the only course
left open to us is to show the military

authorities that we will not passively
submit to injustice.

I say to you it's time for us to stand
on our feet, to demand what is our

To take whatever steps are necessary to
make those demands felt.

To create a militia if need be. To fight
if we must.

Gentlemen.

Senor.

I have the feeling you don't agree with
me.

Senor Travis, we have identical
interests.

But I am Mexicano of pure Spanish
heritage.

And I know the temper of my people.

Their pride.

Their very deep pride.

And though I am fearful of Santa Ana's
motives, I could never counsel the

of Texas to take any action which would
cause a break in the friendship of the

Mexican people themselves.

There are thousands of miles that
separate us, and we have not yet certain

that the President Santa Ana has become
everything his political opponents say

he has.

If you ask my opinion, I would say, let
us proceed.

But with care.

With caution.

I quite agree with you, senor.

I'd like to hear from Mr. Bowie.

I don't think I have anything to say.

I just came to listen.

It appears I don't have your confidence
either.

Uh, isn't Mr. Bowie a Mexican citizen?

That's right.

I'm married to a lovely Spanish lady.

As the senor has told you, I've acquired
a few acres of land.

I've even fought alongside the Mexicans.

My wife and I have a lovely home in
Mexico.

I'm on my way there now.

I'm sorry. Am I interrupting?

I think, my dear, you are just in time.

Gentlemen, I have the honor, my niece,
Senorita de Casada.

Thank you.

My pleasure, senorita.

Bill, as for me, I'm inclined to agree
with you.

I think it's necessary for every man
here to say where he stands.

Forgive me, Mr. Bowie, if I insist.

I don't have any exact stand yet, Mr.
Travis.

Don't know enough about it.

Just on my way home to Monclova, Coal
Wheeler.

Mexico. To see my wife and children.

Figure I'll learn a little more about it
as time goes on.

From your father -in -law, the
lieutenant governor of Coahuila, Mexico?

That's right.

It seems strange to me that the two men
with the most to lose in the event of

trouble, with the most to gain from
Santa Ana's friendship, the two men with

largest land holdings in Texas and
Mexico,

These are the two men that urge caution.

Why?

My apologies to you, Senor DeCasada.

Myself, I excuse the young lawyer.

From what I've seen, most lawyers have
the notion they can say anything they

like. Get used to it in the courtroom, I
expect.

The trouble with you, Travis, is that
you haven't lived long enough.

or had enough experience to know what
you're talking about.

Had I known this before, I'm not so sure
you'd be here now.

Señor, gentlemen, in the interest of
what you're trying to accomplish, I'll

remove some of the young lawyer's
difficulty.

Buenas noches.

Senor Bui.

Please, senor, I must speak with you.

You shouldn't be out here alone.

I'm not, senor.

Maria is here.

Well, don't be frightened.

No, but I have to tell you, many of the
men stayed late.

I went to my room, but I couldn't sleep.

The entrance to the house is next to my
room.

Two men stopped to speak.

They are your enemies, senor.

They were talking that it would be well
if you didn't go to Monclova.

I don't know who they were, senor Boy,
but they said they were coming to the

to stop you.

But not Travis?

No. I would have known his voice.

Did you hear anything else?

No, I couldn't hear all the words.

Just enough to understand what I've told
you.

Thank you, Senorita.

It's time for you to go. You don't
remember me?

No.

San Antonio.

Oh, I haven't been in San Antonio for
almost a year.

I've seen you many times there.

Once I met your wife. She's very
beautiful.

Thank you. She is.

May I ask?

Yeah.

Why did you allow my uncle and yourself
to be insulted?

I thought no one talked so to Senor Pui.

I should have killed him?

Yes.

How old are you?

Eighteen.

Almost.

Seventeen.

When I was seventeen, I thought I knew
everything.

It's not so simple now.

Please don't laugh at me.

No man has ever got to laugh at you.

They'll smile a little, perhaps, with
wonder.

They won't laugh.

What is your name?

Consuelo.

Consuelo.

Consuelo, remember this.

An insult is something that happens when
men become aroused.

And one of them can't stop. He boils
over and the words come spilling out.

So you kill him.

And you walk outside.

For a few minutes, maybe you feel good.

Then you look up at the stars.

Out across at the horizon with the dawn
coming up.

And suddenly you realize that it's a big
world.

And that nothing has changed.

Somewhere there's a woman without a man
and maybe children without a father, all

because of a few hot words.

Does that make sense to you, Consuelo?

I don't know.

I never thought you would say this.

I didn't think I would either.

It's almost dawn.

Time for you to go back.

I'm sorry, senor.

It's all right.

Buenos dias, senor.

Ah, gracias.

Que pasa?

Que, senor?

Por que se persigna?

Solo por el amor de Dios, senor.

Alto!

Senor Bowie, welcome home.

That's very kind of you, lieutenant.

I have the honor of bringing you the
compliments of His Excellency the

President. General Antonio Lopez de
Santana.

His Excellency is in summer residence in
the town and desires, Señor Bui, to

wait on him immediately upon his
arrival.

Highly flattered.

A distinct honor, Señor.

Just as soon as I've returned to my
estate and greeted my wife.

But you are to come now, Señor.

Sir, I am going home.

Adios.

Dispare el caballo.

Your answer? Your Excellency, as much as
we regret the necessity, we find it is

not possible for us to disregard the
constitutional law.

This state, the state of Coahuila, must
retain its legislature.

Very well.

And you will be prepared to assume the
consequences?

I will be alone with General Kos.

What will you do?

Take great pleasure in personally
padlocking the legislative doors at the

time.

Meanwhile, let them stew.

Well, let us get up.

Your Excellency!

Your Excellency!

Go, go away, all of you.

Well, Jimmy, what is... Oh, you know my
brother -in -law, General Coase? Some

other time.

If you will, your room.

Jimmy, can't you think of my dignity?

I thought about it. With my nose in the
dust of the road.

Was it your order to shoot my horse and
bring me here by force?

Who did this to you?

That idiot officer of yours.

It is true I am served by fools.

My apologies.

You will forgive me?

No?

I'll think about it.

Good. And while you think, we will
drink.

Come, sit down.

Only the very best for my friend, boy.

Vintage of 1817.

You have served with me in how many
campaigns?

You have been my...

How is it now you question me?

A man takes a drink, you can usually
smell it on his breath.

And I have been taking a drink of what?

Power, maybe.

Power?

Smells that way.

You are the only man in the world I
would allow to talk to me like this.

That's what I mean.

Who are these Texians?

These colonists who think they can
dictate to the government of Mexico? And

is this lawyer, this Travis, who sets
himself above the military governor?

I think Travis and his friends are all
traitors.

They should be stood against the
barracks wall and shot.

Your governor is making a lot of
mistakes.

Bradburn, he is a fool.

Well, they can't all be fools.

Who's the fool responsible for throwing
Stephen Austin in jail in Mexico City

and keeping him there?

Austin is a conspirator.

He came to you with a petition.

Seems sensible.

People nowadays just don't take to one
-man rule.

At least there are a lot of people back
in Texas who don't.

Now, I'm not in the habit of offering
advice.

You have my permission.

Thank you.

Because I have a good deal of respect
for you.

Liking, too.

Thank you.

I just want to say one thing to you.

Most people are a good deal like I am.

And you could never make me follow you
by force.

Don't talk to me like a frontiersman.
You are an educated man. Say what you

mean.

Constitutional government.

Return to the Constitution of 1824, a
complete renunciation of any despotic

appetites you might have acquired, and
release Stephen Austin.

The Texians will never have any faith in
you as long as you hold him.

I have only love for my country.

I think I have demonstrated that many
times.

Possibly I have been misunderstood.

But I thank you, Jimmy, for being frank.

can I have great admiration for you.

I have loved you as a brother.

I must be sure you are not against me,
that I have not turned you.

I say in all honesty that you would be a
great rallying point for any faction

that gained your support.

And I do not wish to see civil war come
again.

We have had too many wars.

We need peace and prosperity.

That is my aim, my ultimate aim.

Sounds good.

You have revealed much to me.

I do not wish to be a dictator, a
tyrant.

I want to be a gracious page in history.

I must consider what you have said. I
must reevaluate.

I thank you again.

Let us drink to it.

We have no quarrel, my friend.

To our country and to us.

In that order.

Don't go yet, Jimmy.

Now I must hurt you.

The officer who brought you was obeying
my orders to bring you here under armed

guard if necessary, but not for the talk
we have just had.

I thought it would be less painful if
you heard from your friend the worst

one man can bring to another.

What are you talking about?

The irony, my friend, is... is that you
sent your family here to avoid the

plague in Texas.

Unfortunately, the plague sometimes
travels faster.

When I arrived here, I thought to visit
your wife, Donna Ursula.

Before I started out, word was brought
me that your wife and beautiful

children, they are no more.

I have made the arrangements you would
have wished, Jimmy.

Jimmy, Jimmy, I cannot tell you how
deeply sorry I feel.

I am sorry for him.

Natural. Truly, he has been my friend,
but he's a very sentimental man.

Perhaps he's going to be more... That
man Austin.

Have him released. Perhaps by now he is
a wiser man.

Surely. And Texas.

When I've closed the legislatures, I
want it well garrisoned.

And all Texians who have arms will
surrender them on the penalty of death.

Wise, Your Excellency.

They are becoming too... In particular,
San Antonio, this is the key to the

whole central region.

Yes, Your Honor. And you will personally
guide us on it. Yes, Your Honor. My

hat.

we stopping here?

We will camp here, senor, and wait for
your friends from Anahuac. Oh, si, si.

Jim Boyd.

Welcome home, Mr. Austin.

It's good to see you, sir. Well, it's
good to see you, Jim. Come on, come on,

sit down.

Tell me, what are you doing around these
parts?

I've been wandering around, playing a
quiet, lone game, trying to get a few

things straight in my head.

Find out what you really want to do. You
ought to try a dungeon.

I don't know how you stood it.

Jim, you remember how adamant I used to
be about living up to the Mexican law?

Yes, you always said the Texians made a
bargain and they should stick to it.

Yeah, I was always against all that move
for independence.

I thought all the leaders were a bunch
of...

Hotheads and troublemakers.

And now?

My eyes have been opened.

Completely.

I thought Santa Ana would listen to
reason.

What kind of a president does he expect
to be, throwing me in prison just

because I argued for our cause?

Perhaps he's a frightened man.

Perhaps he felt if he kept you quiet,
like you rot into dust, why all of Texas

would be quiet, too.

He misjudged my character.

He doesn't know the passion of a man who
wants to be free.

Look, Jim, should a man live under a
tyrant who makes laws filled with

inequities, inhumanities, and
injustices?

Shouldn't a man resist a hand that's
choking him to death?

What are you going to advise the Texans
to do?

Well, there are only three courses open
to us, Jim.

want us to give up, leave the country,
everything we own, and are done there.

The Texans would never do that.

And then there's the passive attitude.

Take whatever Santa Ana sees fit to give
us.

They wouldn't do that either.

Very well.

The last course you know.

Yeah. I guess I found what I was looking
for.

I'll say goodbye, sir.

My friends from Anahuac will be coming
shortly to see me.

Why don't you stay, Jim, huh?

Thank you. I'd like to, but for a while
I prefer to play it alone.

your conclusion, Steve. No, no. Later.
Let him rest.

No, no. It's all right.

I can still talk. Not much else.

Well, I'm afraid I have bad news.

Yes?

My mission, of course, was hopeless.

Yes.

I've come to the conclusion there's only
one course open to us. Any other course

would be fruitless.

It would only be postponing the
inevitable.

We must load our guns and assert our
rights.

We formed a committee. We want you to
head it.

Is Sam Houston here?

North. We hope he'll be down in a few
days.

Oh, I saw Jim Bowie. You did?

Is he still apologizing for Santa Ana?

Thank you, Jim.

You will soon be leaving town. Why not
go and visit Luz Consuelo?

Yes. I didn't get that impression of Jim
at all.

Matter of fact, I...

Donde esta la senorita?

En su cuarto.

Gracias.

Pasa.

Two things should not be done at once,
but there's no time.

You're leaving?

Oh, Jeff. Yes, I'm leaving in the
morning.

Won't you please sit?

There's no place to sit.

Why? What?

Why are you leaving?

My uncle feels we should be in San
Antonio without people.

A senorita.

Consuelo.

Consuelo.

Hmm? It isn't safe.

General Coase is there. He thinks he
must.

Senor Austin came?

Uh -huh.

A man can almost walk right into your
eyes.

Oh, Jeb.

Jeb, you're very nice.

I've almost thought...

What?

No. You wouldn't like me to say it.

What did you come to tell me?

Mr. Austin said he'd seen Jim Bowie.

He did?

Mm -hmm.

Did he say anything else?

Not while I was there.

What did you mean?

What wouldn't I like you to say?

You will be angry.

I won't.

I've always thought of you as a little
boy.

As a little boy?

Please wait.

I've seen you so seldom.

Then suddenly you say something very
nice to me, and I can see I've been very

wrong about you.

You know, if I understood what that
meant, I might like it.

Consuelo, we have so little time. Yes,
Maria.

Well, goodbye, Consuelo.

Senorita.

Goodbye, Jeff.

Goodbye.

Perhaps I'll see you in San Antonio.

I hope so.

Well, goodbye.

Your feet are on the floor!

Hold it right where you are.

Get your hands up.

I'll get off your horse.

Start walking.

Hello, youngster. Mr. Bowie, sir. Sure,
I'm glad to see you. I've been looking

for you for weeks. For weeks? Yes, sir.

You see, I haven't been able to find my
place.

But with you, Mr. Bowie, I think I can
find it.

Not even looking things over.

You know him, huh?

Jeb, isn't it? Yes, sir. Jeb Lacey. Jeb
Ben Evans.

Hiya. Ed Slade.

Let's sit down here.

What have you been doing, Jeb? Mr.
Bowie, you know on the other side of the

you got... I know. We've been following
them. Trying to figure out where they

were headed.

Now we know.

San Antone? Have to.

If they'd been going to head south, they
would have cut off today.

Why?

I just went around San Antone today.

Tried to get in to fight with the
Texians, but I couldn't get rid of a

patrol. Easy.

Who were they fighting?

San Mexican garrison at San Antone.

General course.

I heard that Ben Milam got killed in the
battle.

Ben Milam?

A great man.

How'd it start?

Well, the Texians were at Concepcion
with the new militia. They had cannon.

General Cost demanded they give them up.
They wouldn't. Instead, they moved in

first. They attacked Cost?

Yes, sir.

They were outnumbered almost two to one,
but they've got Cost cornered in the

town. Well, it started, Jim.

What are you going to do about it?

Some riders pulled into the Mexican
camp, Jim.

Excitement. The troops is fixing to move
out.

We let them get through to San Antone,
and they'll attack our people from the

rear. That'll be the finish.

We've got 25 men here, Jim.

There's only 100 of them.

You reckon we're all on one mind?

I reckon.

What about me?

All right, Abe, get them up.

Everybody out! Stand up, boys!

Give us a hand!

crossing right

Come on back here with me.

No.

What's our condition?

Lost nine. Five hurt, but we sure gave
them a good beating. A few got away, but

they won't be back.

Have you seen the kid?

No.

Wagon ready?

Just about.

All right, get him going. All right.

Mr. Boyd!

Look.

I found it back there.

What's this?

It's nothing much.

Here, you better sit.

You'll have to excuse me, Mr. Bowie.

It's the first fight I was in.

You did just fine.

Now, I'll fix you up.

Mexican? Can't tell.

Well, let's see.

Oh, pretty stiff. I guess it always will
be. Too bad.

Like I said before, you're a good man,
Bowie.

Where are you heading?

I'm riding this bus, General Houston, up
north.

You heard the news?

We've taken San Antone. We got General
Corson and his Mexicans bottled up.

Well, he's talking surrender should be
over by now.

Well, I sure wouldn't have believed
that.

There's some pretty fair men all around
this part of the country. For a fact.

Mike Radden, Ben Evans. Howdy. Hiya.

Ben, there's no need to hurry. Give the
men a rest and then take them on into

San Antonio.

Say, Mike, do you mind if I ride along
with you?

Ride with me?

Well, it'd be my pleasure, Jim.

Come on.

our intrusion consuelo senor travis
wishes to pay his respects senorita it's

good to see you again and here in san
antonio thank you and now if you'll

me i know you must have much to talk
about but senor

my uncle won't let me go into town and
i'm dying for news i have a variety of

news senorita what sort would you like

I've heard that a party came into San
Antonio and fought against the Mexican

reinforcements. Yes, so they say.

Did Senor Bui come with them?

No, Senorita.

Oh.

Do you... Do you know where he is?

No, I'm afraid I don't.

I've had conflicting reports. Some
people say he went to join General

Others say he returned to Mexico.

But he couldn't have gone back to Mexico
now.

Of course not, Senorita.

You do not believe that?

Venezuela, these questions are hardly
necessary.

You still do not think Senor Bui
believes as we do?

Senorita, I agree with your uncle.
Because you do not understand a man like

Senor Bui.

You do not understand that when people
are troubled, as many of us are,

it is not always easy to know what is
right.

Senor Bui is a very great man.

And many of us should be grateful that
such a man has the courage and...

And the humility to try to find what is
right for all of us to do.

He is a very great man, senor.

A wonderful man.

And you are fair.

Senor, I...

Glad to see you. Remember Mike? Sure.
How are you, Mike?

You're not the young Mr. Travis?

Colonel Travis.

Senor Bowie.

Welcome.

Mike. Doctor.

Jim. Abe.

Colonel Travis.

Mr. Bowie.

Lieutenant Dickinson, sir. The Colonel's
aide.

Very glad to meet you, sir.

Lieutenant. Would you care for a glass
of wine?

Yes. That, uh... That was a pretty good
job of ambush you put on him. Thank you.

Tends to prove what I've maintained all
along.

A little show of force.

General Cos, that easy?

By no means. I understand the Mexicans
are excellent fighters.

But in my opinion, it was the element of
surprise that turned the trip.

Yes. Surprised me, too.

And the point remains that General Cos
is gone.

And under parole never to bear arms
against us again.

Maybe he won't.

And that is the end of their military
rule.

Colonel, I've been talking around the
town.

Most of your men seem to be agreed on
one thing.

What's that?

Going home.

Those who haven't already left are
talking about it.

You have a force of 104 men plus my 24
volunteers and no surprise left in the

barrel.

Mr. Bowie, when we first met, you argued
against us.

Then you swung around to our side. You
put on a great fight.

But now you seem to be singing that same
old song again. Caution, caution,

caution. Am I?

We've plenty of men available.

Colonel Fannin's in Goliad.

Davy Crockett's coming into Texas at the
head of a thousand men.

General Houston is forming an army if
they're needed.

I'm afraid it isn't going to be that
simple.

I just left General Houston. He hasn't
any army. Yet.

It appeared to both of us that an army
that isn't is about to engage an army

that is.

Buoy, I cannot reconcile your shifting
positions.

Was that General Houston's opinion or
was it yours?

Just how many sides are you on? Senor!

Senor! I beg you.

Senor Buoy, do you think it makes much
sense?

Senorita?

Please, may I speak with you?

Your pleasure, Mr. Bowie.

Lieutenant, let's you and I talk some
sense.

I want to apologize.

Please, Senor Bowie, don't.

Something I had to drive out of my mind.

Did you?

Yes, I think so.

Let me look at you.

You're grown.

I'm the same.

I'm not tall or older.

Hey, yes, senora. I'm 19.

Almost.

I heard, senora, you did not meet her
before.

No. Not in time.

I am sorry.

That's better.

You get it over with at once.

You gave me quite a start just now.

You sounded just like her.

Same tone in your voice, same softness.

It was like standing behind yourself or
something that had happened before.

I remember we were at a party, dancing.

A man tried to cut in. I didn't want him
to. I called him out.

She put her hand on my arm and said,
Jim, do you think it makes much sense?

Just as you did.

You remind me of her.

Even if in a slight way.

I'm very happy.

You come right down that valley.

Who? Santa Ana.

You're sure?

I'm positive.

What will your uncle do?

He will stay.

Where will he send you?

I'll stay, too.

You'll fight here at San Antonio?

Yeah. have to.

The only base he can get within 700
miles.

If he can take San Antonio quickly,
there'll be no place to stop him.

They fired on you?

Si, senor.

It was then I realized that my servant
was killed.

You say it was a large force of Mexicans
you saw?

At least a thousand men. I swear it.
Cavalry? All cavalry, señor.

Wagons? No wagons, señor.

Se movían con mucha rapidez.

Unos grupos iguales. My son say that
they moved very rapidly.

Two equal groups.

It was magnificent.

The vanguard.

Probably about 600 men.

Exactly how he traveled.

Do you consider this acceptable military
information?

As acceptable as any we'll get. What do
you plan to do, Colonel?

Mr. Bowie.

It may be that I was hasty a moment ago.

Granted. But am I to understand that
you're going to question my military

command?

I am here as the personal representative
of General Houston, Colonel.

As a matter of fact, I'm a colonel
myself.

And I'm in command by order of the
governing council.

As long as you and your men stay here,
you'll submit to that fact.

We can't afford a quarrel, Colonel.

No, we can't, Colonel.

There's no need of a quarrel.

More than half the men around here are
volunteers, not under the council.

They've got a right to elect their own
commander.

Now, why don't you put it to a vote?

Are you willing, Colonel?

A vote?

Why, certainly.

Pedro. Señor.

The staples.

Lieutenant Dickinson, Colonel.

Reporting for duty.

Please be seated, gentlemen.

I have been commissioned by General
Houston to determine whether to hold San

Antone as a post or to blow it up.

I'm reporting to General Houston that
San Antone must be held at all costs.

That we fortify the old mission and hold
it until reinforcements arrive.

I've stated that Colonel Travis and
Colonel Bowie will assume joint command.

You sign that with me, Colonel?

It's very generous of you, Colonel.

I've got a notion we're going to need
each other.

This is Colonel Travis.

Colonel Lee. We've been expecting you,
sir. This is a great pleasure. Thank

sir. On behalf of Colonel Bowie and
myself, welcome.

Colonel Bowie and Colonel Travis.

And Colonel...

of a certain gentleman who had the gall
to call himself Andrew Jackson.

But his real name, as most self
-respecting Indians knows, is a fella

got the whole thing by himself.

Anyway, in Washington, they told me to
either go to hell or to Texas, so

naturally not want to be took for...

I chose Texas.

Looking over your territory as I come, I
want to tell you I think you found

something. I don't know what it is, but
it sure is full of space.

Only thing, a few more people is needed.

Men like you could solve that problem in
no time at all.

But here there's another man here that's
again people being here. A certain

general called... Santa Anna.

Seems like he wants to make it a game
preserve for coyotes.

And from what I've heard, we might have
a run -in if he don't scare me off.

Will you have a drink, sir?

Well, I've been persuaded, bartender.

Can't tell you how glad we are to see
you and your man, Colonel.

Well, thank you, son.

This is a parson.

He's again drank and such, but... A
mighty uplifting man.

Pay your respects, Parson.

Blessings on you.

Hmm.

Are your men with you, the rest of them?

Naturally. Well, we'll have to make
arrangements for quartering them. How

provisions? We travel light.

Well, we can send out some requisition
parties.

We take what count. We don't make no
fuss.

Where are your men, Colonel?

Why, here.

Here?

How many men are with you, Colonel?

Call me Davey.

We keep this Colonel business up, we're
going to get mixed up.

How many men, Davey?

Well, up until yesterday, I had 30. But
one of them been sick for quite a spell

yet, something, and got 29 now.

29?

The report I had was 1 ,000.

All people exaggerate, but if you're
expecting fighting...

You can't exactly say it's only 29,
because these is Tennesseans, and that

a difference.

Are you expecting fighting?

There's a fair chance of it. Tomorrow
morning, we're moving into the Alamo.

Alamo? What's that?

Broken down old fort.

Used to be a mission.

Mission, eh?

You know, the parson here just love that
Alamo. Won't you, parson?

Help us, oh God, our Savior.

And for the glory of thy name, O Lord,
deliver us.

Amen.

Colonel Travis will take over that
entire section.

This wall from here to the tower is our
weakest point.

That wall could stand a mind of fixing.

Yeah.

It's all yours, Davey.

It's mighty considered, I'll be jam
-much obliged.

Hey, Parson, get him to hustling out
there.

Can you see anything?

No. No, but they're out there somewhere.

I've been thinking, Consuelo.

I've got a place about two days north of
here.

We were going to make it our home, but
we never got to move in.

We built it just the way we wanted it.

I'd like to move in someday.

High up on a rolling hill.

Air so clear you could see for a hundred
miles.

I'd like you to see it.

I'll see it with you.

Later, maybe.

I knew when you built it.

I prayed that you'd be happy there.

I'm glad now we didn't move in.

If we had, I would have burned it down.

I burned down the place in Mexico.

Jim.

He's all right now.

Has to be.

What did you do all those months?

Road.

Experimented how much a man could drink.

I prayed.

I didn't want you hurt.

I want you to go there, Consuelo.

To my place.

You and your uncle.

When this is over, I'll come see you and
see if you like...

She, uh...

She left me a letter.

She understood so many things.

She said, no matter what happens, a man
and a woman has to be.

Otherwise, a man's only half, and a
woman's nothing at all.

I want you to remember that, Consuelo.

In case anything happens here.

Yeah.

You'll remember.

Four or five thousand men.

I can tell that as near sighted a fool
as I am.

Like to raise a dust storm all over
Texas.

got us outnumbered but outdressed. And
that's for certain.

You have regrets?

No.

I have made my choice for what I think
is right.

General Antonio Lopez de Santana.

Commander -in -chief of the armies of
the Republic of Mexico presents his

compliments and requests the honor of a
meeting with Senor James Bowie.

Open the gate.

Maybe he's off to become a Mexican
general.

Lieutenant Dickinson, have that man sent
to my quarters.

Very good, sir.

Jimmy, my good friend.

General.

Come.

It appears they're right friendly.

Well, amigo, what has happened between
us?

The point is, Your Excellency, it no
longer matters about us.

All we've been through together, we
should not now be in opposite camps.

Ride away from here, Jimmy.

True.

It's impossible for you.

Then convince your people to put down
their arms and come out.

It is strange how it has come.

Little pieces fitting together one at a
time.

No one wanting it.

How did it come to be, Jimmy?

It could have been stopped the last time
we talked.

The Texans don't want a war with you. I
told you they wanted peace.

They fired on my troops.

Can I accept such an insult?

Riding out here, I figured I had
something to say to you.

Yes? I haven't. We've said it all.

Yes, Jimmy.

And do you think I can ride back now?

I suppose not.

When I ride, I will ride all the way
across Texas.

No, General.

You have less than 200 men.

No, no, Jimmy, don't lie to me. I know.

We'll be reinforced.

Houston's raising troops.

We will not be reinforced. Not in time.
I know that, too. You've been

misinformed.

Don't go back, Jimmy.

I will make you my prisoner. You will be
happy. You will be free.

I came out here under a flag of truce.

I'll go back the same way.

Very well.

Then tell your people they will
surrender at my discretion. Otherwise,

brother, I will be obliged to give my
bugler the order to blow the deguel.

You know what that means.

We have women and children.

You'll give them safe conduct?

Naturally.

Adios, compañero.

Adios.

Well?

Surrender at his discretion or the
Deguelo. The what?

They run up a red flag.

That may sound like the guelo and the
bugle.

It means no quarter, no mercy. In other
words, no prisoners.

Ah, stars and possum dogs.

That Santa Anna scares me plumb out of
my britches.

What does he expect us to do? Just come
out there and surrender?

Mama, won't it be pretty when it grows?

They sing real pretty, don't they?

Yes, but they got us completely
surrounded, so keep your eyes open.

I understand you'll provide us with a
suitable escort, Colonel, but every man

here will be needed.

I'd like to do as you request, but I...
Mrs. Dickinson, you don't understand.

It's not a request, it's an order.

Oh, no.

No, Colonel, I can't be ordered.

I've sought the protection of the fort,
and I have it.

I don't believe General Santa Ana will
harm women and children.

As long as my husband stays, I'll remain
with him.

Lieutenant.

I'm sorry, Colonel.

My wife has the right to make her own
choice.

Apparently, she's made it.

Senor.

At least I can count on you to see that
the senorita leaves.

I am sorry.

I would prefer to have her go.

But if Mrs. Dickinson is staying, it is
necessary that Consuelo stays.

Thank you, Colonel.

If you'll excuse me, I must attend to my
children.

Siege guns.

Bigger than anything we've got.

We've got to get them out of there.

We can't reach them now, Cannon.

How about sending on a detachment?

You think we can afford to lose them?

No. No, you're right. Of course we can.

What do you think, Jim?

Tonight, maybe.

Make a good diversion.

Help get a rider out to Fannin.

Ready to go?

All ready to go.

Make it to Fannin, Jim. You've got to
make it. If anybody at all can get

through, I will.

Doc!

Get it

up

right, Lieutenant!

Get it inside!

How is he?

Bad. Right side of his chest smashed.

Doc thinks he can patch him up, but he's
optimistic.

You know, we didn't want to tell the
rest of the men how bad it was.

We need him.

We need the idea of him.

Do you agree?

Of course I agree.

He's the one man here who's not
replaceable.

You said once you could lick me.

You're good now.

I wouldn't want to, Jim.

You're still a good man.

You all right, Colonel?

Yeah.

How's everything?

What are they waiting for?

Three days pandemonium, then three days
quiet, and then the whole thing all over

again.

Wear us down.

If he can break us, he'll have an army
intact.

March across Texas.

Every day does give Houston more time.

I said Anna won't wait long.

He might be sending for heavier cannon.

Colonel, I'd be pleased if you'd assume
complete command.

No, Jim.

I've been meaning to say, I should have
said it before.

I consider it an honor serving under
you.

Thanks.

Do you mind if I say that...

It's been interesting watching you grow.

You're a pretty tall man now, Will.

Ben Evanson.

Ben?

What's the answer?

Houston's in the north, Jim, recruiting.

His aide told me he didn't have a force
fit to send.

All right.

Take care of yourself.

No, Jim, let me help you.

No need them seeing.

You see, after all, Jeff, we don't know
each other very well, do we?

I know.

I understand the custom.

Ordinarily, it would be different.

But now, the way things are, the time
seems to have gotten all pushed

I thought you might let me speak to your
uncle.

Jeff, I've been unfair.

I like you so much. I'd like to be with
you.

We can laugh together.

At least we could.

And I knew.

I could see it when you looked at me,
but I didn't think it would last.

It's my fault, Jeb.

I didn't want to hurt you.

I couldn't break myself.

And now I have hurt you.

You couldn't hurt me, Consuelo.

I just... I just feel empty.

I got through all right, but Fannin's
not coming.

Will you get off your feet?

Bannon isn't coming.

No, Jim.

Why? He started. His equipment broke
down.

Vance's guard was taking my Mexican
patrol. He's unable to move.

What's Travis going to do?

He's calling all the men together.

He's putting it up to them.

Walk me out, will you?

I shouldn't, Jim. Now it started to
rain.

A lot different.

I have to tell you, we have no more hope
for reinforcements.

Colonel Fannin can't reach us.

No doubt at this moment, Santa Ana is
mounting an assault in force.

The outcome of that assault, you can
easily guess.

They outnumber us 30 to 1.

There are three courses open to you.

You can try and fight your way out
through their cavalry, probably be cut

pieces before you've gone a mile.

Your second choice is to surrender.

Anyone may do so who chooses to. You
have my permission.

But remember that when you surrender,
you free an army of thousands of men to

make war on the rest of Texas.

Your third alternative is to stay here
and fight.

We can kill them as they charge us. Kill
them as they scale our walls. Kill them

as they put the bayonet to us.

Or we'll all die, I have no doubt of
that.

The Deguelo will be sounded.

But what we do here can so disorganize
Santa Ana that he won't be able to march

for weeks on Sam Houston.

I've drawn a line in the dirt.

Any of you who care to stay with us,
please step over that line.

Thank you, men.

Parson, do you have anything to say?

Well, kind sir, we're here doing what we
think is right.

Give us a little encouragement, if you
please, sir.

Amen.

Go out, Jim. I'm afraid it's going to be
the last chance.

Personal.

I've written to Sam Houston.

Told him about the decision of the men.

I think that's something other Texians
will want to know about.

Scots report they're building ladders.

Scaling ladders.

There was an all -night conference in
Santa Ana's tent.

Attack in the morning?

Probably.

Would you mind if we sent Jeb with that?

Good idea.

Tell him to meet me at the West Gate.

Let me help him. No, no.

Get to Jeb, Bill.

Jeb.

Yes, sir?

This is for General Houston.

Colonel Bowie wants to see you at the
Westgate right away.

But, sir, I... Right away, Jeb.

Yes, sir.

You all right, Mr. Bowie?

Yeah, yeah.

You've got to go out, Jeb.

Get as far as you can while it's dark.

Don't try to stretch it.

Find a place and hide.

In the morning? But, sir... In the
morning, after the first battle, there

be lots of riderless horses.

Wait until you can get one.

It isn't fair.

I want to cross the line with the rest
of them. I know.

Jed, this is the toughest job we've got.

We figure you can handle it.

This is just for you.

Read it afterwards.

Yes, sir.

Ben? Yes, sir?

All right to go out now.

Wait, sir.

It's all right now, sir.

All right, Jeb.

Get going.

I don't know how to say it, Mr. Booth.
Don't try.

Good luck.

Yeah, Jim?

Make her go with the women in the
chapel.

Go along, girl.

Go along.

It's your job.

Sure, Gene.

Is that it?

Yeah, that's it. That's the gruelo.

Gives me the shivers.

You all right?

Yeah.

So long, Jim.

I know it's Crockett they're fighting.

They'll eat snakes before they get in
here, Jim.

The red flag.

Keep praying, Parson.

All right.

General Houston.

Men, I have news.

Tragic news.

The terrible battle has ended at the
Alamo.

We all have lost friends.

Brave, dear friends.

Jim Bowie is gone.

Bill Travis.

Baby Crockett.

Doc Summerfield, Senor de Quesada, many,
many more.

To a man they all died at their posts.

But theirs was not a defeat.

You must understand and believe that.

Santa Ana's strength has been weakened.

Those who spent their lives bought us
time.

Time to conquer him.

With an army that will avenge what has
happened there in that small village on

the banks of the San Antonio.

Their fight will be remembered down
through the ages.

General Houston, sir.

We have the honor. The ladies from the
Alamo.

You do it.