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The First Texan (1956)
Enjoyable, amusing little film, but not very educational.
This is a short and entertaining piece of fluff that never bores. There is a funny, if unbelievable, court room scene and hilarious stunt work during a battle scene. Soldiers who have been shot or hit by shrapnel gracefully dive off carts and roll on the ground to break their falls! I thought the fullscreen version I was watching might be open matte, but this was filmed in Cinemascope, so the hilarious acrobatics should have been visible in the cinema.
I know little about Texan history, so I don't know how accurate the story is. The separatists state that they have good reasons for wanting the province of Texas to be independent of Mexico. We are told that these are the same reasons that Americans needed to fight for freedom from Britain. We never learn what their grievances are or what is so terrible about being a Mexican citizen. The only harassment we learn of is the break up of a secessionist meeting by the army and an attempt to have the conspirators tried for treason. One of their number is shot to try to provoke them, but no mention is made of bringing about democratic change. The republicans take action which contribute to the overthrow of the (presumably democratic) government by Santa Ana. The US President, Andrew Jackson, sides with the Republicans and says his plans for Texas go beyond independence. He wants Texas to become part of the US, a wish which is not expressed by any of the Texans. He is not prepared to provide military support for fear of starting a war with Mexico, but orders his friend Sam Houston to raise an Army in the province to lead what seems a futile fight against Santa Ana. Jackson comes across as a greedy land-grabber who is prepared to risk his friend's life and nothing else in return for some prime real estate and greater influence for himself. The republicans are fools who would be lost without Houston. When captured after a single defeat in battle, Santa Ana signs away the entire province of Texas in exchange for his freedom! None of the protagonists come across in a good light. I'm sure there is more to the history of the Lone Star State than is seen in this jingoistic, amusing time-passer of a flick.