Customer Reviews

Gone to Texas [VHS]

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Gone to Texas is a good TV movie about the life of Sam Houston. It follows Houston from his days as the Governor of Tennessee all the way through to his time as the commander of the army during the Texas War for Independence. Interweaved through it all is depictions of the fall of the Alamo, the Goliad massacre, and also the government convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos. This is also one of the only movies to show the taking of San Antonio by the Texans three months before the siege of the Alamo.

This may not be very interesting to people who do not already know something about Houston or at least some background about the time. Sam Elliott is pretty good as Sam Houston with Michael Beck giving a decent performance as the knife fighter Jim Bowie. There is a very good presentation of the battle for San Jacinto as well. Interesting movie which does take a while to get going.

I have never been much of a history buff, but lately Texas History has become a passion of mine.

I thought this movie had some outstanding acting (with the exception of Sam Houston's part Cherokee wife) and told a story that you rarely get to see in such honesty. Watching previous accounts of the battle at the Alamo between Santa Ana and General Travis...one might be led to believe that Houston was a coward for not going to go help them fight. But watching this movie, and reading more about what he did, you understand his reasons for refusing..and you find a new found respect for the man. Well, at least I did. Very well done and very informative! I give it an enthusiastic two thumbs up!

This made for TV movie is a decent attempt to portray one of the central figures in the Texas Revolution and the subsequent history of Texas. Told from the perspective of Sam Houston, the story begins with a cameo of Houston's election as Govenor of Tennessee and a very brief explanation of his subsequent journey to Texas on the eve of revolution.

The history portrayed is largely correct, and the scenes of battle (at the Alamo and at San Jacinto) are carefully portrayed and present viewpoints and information rarely seen elsewhere. I would like to have seen Sam Elliot shave off his famous moustache for the film, but I guess I can overlook that. As one of the many Jacksonian era living history reenactors whose time, effort, and presence made the movie, and especially the battle scenes, more accurate and memorable, I am somewhat prejudiced about the film's merits. Still, viewed from a historical perspective, it gives a good overview of the passions and politics that forged the Republic of Texas. If you want to learn something about the way Texas became an independent Republic, this movie beats reading almost any single account of the story. There are a few glaring flaws in the movie, but they pale in comparison to the overall product. Academy Award material? No, but a long way from boring.

This was a very entertaining movie about the life of Sam Houston, through the battle of San Jacinto. A good companion to this movie would be the book "The Sword of San Jacinto". END

This is not the best TV movie ever made, but it's got its moments. In particular, several actors truly bring to life the people they portray. John P. Ryan personifies the jerk history knows David Burnett to have been. Richard Y'iquez and Peter Gonzales Falcon had roles much too small, as General Santa Anna and Juan Seguin, but they played them so very well. Sam Elliott, particularly in exhibiting Houston's oratorical skill, was fascinating. It comes closer to portraying the time than do many other depictions of the Texas Revolution.

Given a choice between this one and The Alamo (2004), I'll take Gone to Texas.

I love Sam Elliott. I bought this because I like Sam Elliott, Tennessee, and Sam Houston. Nothing is particularly factual here and the picture quality of the DVD stands a lot of improvement. But a decent watch, when tired of everything else on your shelf.

"Gone to Texas" is one of those films that resonate with truth. Sam Elliott is one of the great actors of our time, and his portrayal of Sam Houston is incredible! A fine supporting cast, and a brilliant recreation of the battle of San Jacinto! This is a movie worth owning! An awesome made-for-television historical epic! Grade: A+

I was in this movie as an extra (I played the Violin at Sam Houston's wedding). There were two Texas Historians on the set that could stop the filming at anytime and change what was said or done for accuracy. One was a non academic but knowledgeable historian and another was an academic type.

When Sam Elliot staggers over to me yelling for music I thought he was really drunk and was about to attack me. I'm an Ex Marine and not normally too worried about a fight. But I admit to be terrified when Sam came over. They had to stop the scene and start over.

Being from Tennessee and living in Texas, I consider Sam Houston to be an outstanding figure in our state and nation's history. I am also a huge Sam Elliott fan. I was impressed with the historical accuracy of the movie but it came across as being barely average. Elliott's performance seemed almost wooden while playing the great General Houston -- who was a larger than life character. It may have been the script, but I didn't sense any passion and energy from him. And if your lead actor is unable to carry the part in a convincing fashion, it should be no surprise that it affects the energy and feel of the entire movie. Overall, it was a solid movie, but not one that people would judge to be entertaining and memorable. I like being occasionally informed by a movie, such as this one, but I always like being entertained. This movie missed on the entertainment value, and unfortunately, one of my favorite actors seems to be responsible for its shortcomings.

This movie is very historically accurate based upon a book I have read on Sam Houston. For non-historians you may find it a bit boring as my wife did. I enjoyed it and I am a Sam Elliott fan anyway.