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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Flavorful Account of Birth of Texas!, November 28, 2000
This review is from: Two for Texas [VHS] (VHS Tape)
The Turner cable-TV movie, 'Two for Texas' will undoubtedly be compared with 'James Michener's Texas', another made-for-TV production that covers much the same ground. But while 'Michener's Texas' suffers from attempting to tell too much, becoming bogged down in melodramatic elements, 'Two for Texas' is a lean, rugged adventure that uses famous characters (Sam Houston, Jim Bowie) in support of the story, instead of as its focus, making this a FAR more enjoyable film! The story begins with a chain gang in Louisiana, in early 1836. When one of the sadistic 'bosses' is accidentally murdered, two convicts escape, and head for Texas, hoping to start a new life, serving under General Sam Houston. The older of the pair, Hugh Allison (Kris Kristofferson), in prison for killing a card shark, takes events as they come, with the easy grace of a 'survivor'; Son Holland (Scott Bairstow), the younger man, left Tennessee for adventure, only to be sentenced for ten years after being falsely accused of stealing a woman's purse. Hot-headed and naive, Holland is dependent on Allison's wisdom to survive. The journey to Texas is reminiscent of Howard Hawk's 'The Big Sky', as the two frontiersmen share a series of adventures, culminating in 'ownership' of a young Indian girl (Irene Bedard), who has a brief affair with Holland before being sent back to her tribe. The brother of the murdered boss relentlessly trails the pair, until they are 'rescued' by Houston's men. In the 'Texican' camp, they meet General Houston, portrayed with quiet authority by Tom Skerritt, and Jim Bowie (a miscast but likable Peter Coyote). Bowie and Allison are old hell-raising friends, and, in one of the film's more light-hearted scenes, recount a few of the more famous tales of the inventor of the famous knife! Bowie is leaving for the Alamo, but asks the pair to remain with Houston, as the Texas army trains for battle. With the fall of the Alamo eminent, Allison and Holland decide to join their friend Bowie, but arrive too late; the mission is a scene of carnage, with hundreds of bodies scattered among the ruins. Watching Texans' bodies being unceremoniously burned, they encounter Susannah Dickinson (Karey Green), a survivor, and wife of one of the defenders, In semi-shock, she tells of the final assault, and the deaths of her husband, and Davy Crockett; her monologue is the film's highpoint. Carrying a letter for Sam Houston from General Santa Anna, she takes the men to the body of Jim Bowie (a sadly moving scene, as Allison retrieves Bowie's knife). The trio then return to Houston's forces, vowing revenge! The story is not without historical flaws, particularly in its presentation of the historical Mrs. Dickinson, but the film never loses momentum, and benefits from Kristofferson's craggy charm, as the plain-spoken Allison. This is the kind of role he does best, and he plays it to the hilt! 'Two for Texas' is a welcome addition to the select group of films about the Alamo, and Texas' struggle for independence!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Flavorful Account of Birth of Texas!, November 28, 2000
This review is from: Two for Texas [VHS] (VHS Tape)
The Turner cable-TV movie, 'Two for Texas' will undoubtedly be compared with 'James Michener's Texas', another made-for-TV production that covers much the same ground. But while 'Michener's Texas' suffers from attempting to tell too much, becoming bogged down in melodramatic elements, 'Two for Texas' is a lean, rugged adventure that uses famous characters (Sam Houston, Jim Bowie) in support of the story, instead of as its focus, making this a FAR more enjoyable film! The story begins with a chain gang in Louisiana, in early 1836. When one of the sadistic 'bosses' is accidentally murdered, two convicts escape, and head for Texas, hoping to start a new life, serving under General Sam Houston. The older of the pair, Hugh Allison (Kris Kristofferson), in prison for killing a card shark, takes events as they come, with the easy grace of a 'survivor'; Son Holland (Scott Bairstow), the younger man, left Tennessee for adventure, only to be sentenced for ten years after being falsely accused of stealing a woman's purse. Hot-headed and naive, Holland is dependent on Allison's wisdom to survive. The journey to Texas is reminiscent of Howard Hawk's 'The Big Sky', as the two frontiersmen share a series of adventures, culminating in 'ownership' of a young Indian girl (Irene Bedard), who has a brief affair with Holland before being sent back to her tribe. The brother of the murdered boss relentlessly trails the pair, until they are 'rescued' by Houston's men. In the 'Texican' camp, they meet General Houston, portrayed with quiet authority by Tom Skerritt, and Jim Bowie (a miscast but likable Peter Coyote). Bowie and Allison are old hell-raising friends, and, in one of the film's more light-hearted scenes, recount a few of the more famous tales of the inventor of the famous knife! Bowie is leaving for the Alamo, but asks the pair to remain with Houston, as the Texas army trains for battle. With the fall of the Alamo eminent, Allison and Holland decide to join their friend Bowie, but arrive too late; the mission is a scene of carnage, with hundreds of bodies scattered among the ruins. Watching Texans' bodies being unceremoniously burned, they encounter Susannah Dickinson (Karey Green), a survivor, and wife of one of the defenders, In semi-shock, she tells of the final assault, and the deaths of her husband, and Davy Crockett; her monologue is the film's highpoint. Carrying a letter for Sam Houston from General Santa Anna, she takes the men to the body of Jim Bowie (a sadly moving scene, as Allison retrieves Bowie's knife). The trio then return to Houston's forces, vowing revenge! The story is not without historical flaws, particularly in its presentation of the historical Mrs. Dickinson, but the film never loses momentum, and benefits from Kristofferson's craggy charm, as the plain-spoken Allison. This is the kind of role he does best, and he plays it to the hilt! 'Two for Texas' is a welcome addition to the select group of films about the Alamo, and Texas' struggle for independence!
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
One for the Lone Star State., February 6, 2002
This review is from: Two for Texas [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This film stars Kris Kristofferson and Scott Bairstow as two fugitives from Louisiana. They go on the run after killing one of the two sadistic bosses (who also happen to be brothers) of the prison camp. The other boss begins a Captain Ahab-type of pursuit after the two escapees. Kristofferson's character knows about the war for independence occuring in Texas and figures the best chance they have of escape is to join Sam Houston's army. Along the way, an Indian slave joins the duo and Barstow's character and her fall in love. However, the two must separate when they make a dash for Houston's camp. Kirstofferson is perfect in roles like this one and Bairstow doesn't do too bad of a job either, though the change in his character was a bit difficult to believe initially. Also, Tom Skerrit makes a great supporting performance as Gen. Sam Houston. The movie starts off on a quick and upbeat pace, but slows down not long after the two convicts escape. From there the tempo of the movie becomes rather unsteady until the lead characters meet up with Houston. Then on out the movie remains at an upbeat pace that's quite enjoyable to watch. There are a few historical inaccuracies, but in some places the film is more accurate than some big budget films about Texan independence. Overall, a simple little Western about Texas' fight for independence that is rather enjoyable to watch.
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