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ABC NOVEL FOR TELEVISION: JAMES MICHENER'S TEXAS {PART 1 OF 2} (TV)

Summary

The first of this two-part miniseries featuring a fictional account of the Texas Revolution of the early 19th Century, wherein Texas fought for independence from Mexico.

In the early 1800’s, Texas is firmly in the grip of Spanish rule and influence via Mexico. In 1821, Stephen F. Austin arrives in Texas to lead settlement efforts of a colony mandated by the Mexican government. He sets about recruiting men to fight on behalf of Mexico, aided by his friend Zave Campbell. At this time he meets a woman named Mattie Quimper and her stepson Yancey. She reveals that her husband has recently died and she wishes to place a claim on the land where she buried his body. Austin advises against it, warning her that Texas is “hell on women,” but she is determined and he grants her request. A gathering held to celebrate the land grant is interrupted by a Comanche attack. Austin, Mattie, Zave, and the others manage to fend them off. Around the same time, James “Jim” Bowie, a frontiersman from the southeast United States, engages in a knife-fight with a rival and wins by killing him. Bowie convinces his friend Finley MacNab to move to Texas, advising him to marry a Mexican woman in order to receive a sizeable land grant and become rich. Finley takes him up on the offer, encouraged by his young son Otto.

Bowie attends a party held by Sam Houston, governor of Tennessee, and Bowie hopes to convince Houston to travel to Texas with him. Houston, suffering from a failed marriage and alcoholism, encounters Bowie and befriends him. In Texas, homesteaders complain to Austin about the frequent Comanche attacks and believe that the Mexican government should offer them more protection, but Austin warns them to abide by the rules of the Mexican constitution and not to make demands of the government. They are angry at the government and at Austin in particular, but Mattie comes to his defense and gets them to back down. Finley and Otto come to a river and are brought across by Mattie, who knows them by reputation via Zave, on a raft. She introduces them to Benito Garza, a horse wrangler from southern Texas who brings in mustangs for Mattie to sell. Finley discovers that under Mexican law he must be baptized in a Catholic church in order to hold land in Texas, although he is upset to learn that the local priest is an Irishman, Father Clooney. However, Father Clooney implies that he will be able to convert back to Presbyterianism without much fuss. He consults with Austin to inquire about the rules regarding land distribution. He hopes to wed one of Benito’s two sisters. Finley and Otto reunite with Zave, and Austin and Mattie begin a romantic relationship, although his duties as impresario make it difficult for him to pursue it fully.

Soon Zave is wed to one of Benito’s sisters, Josephina, and Finley is wed to the other, Maria. At the wedding reception, Benito asks Mattie to marry him, confessing that he is in love with her. Mattie is stunned and tells Benito that she cannot marry him, explaining that she is already in love with Austin. Benito is hurt by this, but continues to pursue Mattie anyway. Austin continues to field grievances from colonists being turned away by the Mexican government, or facing what they believe to be unjust restrictions. One individual, William Travis, debates the legitimacy of these restrictions with Austin; he believes that the Mexican government is oppressive and that the people of Texas must revolt in order to achieve security and freedom. Austin believes that Mexico is still recovering from its war with Spain and is naturally suspicious of Americans attempting to impinge on its rights. Others assent with Travis and start to flock to his cause. Austin becomes frustrated by the “impatience” of those under his jurisdiction and the possibility that the Mexican government might force them out of their homes. He is concerned about Mattie’s safety and predicts a violent upheaval between Texans and Mexico.

Eventually Houston makes his way to Texas. Tension arises between Finley and Benito over business concerns. In the town of San Felipe, Benito is accosted by a lynch mob, but Bowie witnesses this and comes to aid Benito. Together they manage to kill or drive away the mob; only Mattie’s arrival persuades Benito to spare the life of the ringleader. Mattie cleans and dresses Benito’s wound as they discuss Austin and the impending conflict awaiting Texas. Benito expresses jealousy and seduces Mattie in Austin’s bedroom, claiming that Austin is more dedicated to his responsibilities than he is to her. Bowie and Houston go out drinking together, and Houston reveals that he has been sent on assignment by the President in order to treat with the Comanche. Houston meets with Austin, who points out that Houston’s jurisdiction does not extend to Mexican territory. They discuss the increasingly unstable state of affairs in the colony.

Years pass and Otto grows into a young man as the tensions between Texas and Mexico increase. Otto comes to resent Yancey, and Benito and Mattie are in a long-term relationship, although they are still unmarried. Yancey still misses his old home and blames Mattie for the death of his father. Benito tries to convince Mattie to marry him and convert to Catholicism. They discuss the influence of people like Austin and General Santa Ana in the conflict over the ultimate fate of Mexico. Austin comes to protest Houston’s presence in Texas, viewing it as an attempt to further a revolution against the Mexican government. He tells Austin that he wants to petition the Mexican government to make Texas a Mexican state, allowing them to form their own constitution. Austin worries that such an action will provoke Mexico into declaring war, but Houston swears that he will do everything in his power to avoid an armed conflict. Soon General Santa Ana throws Austin in prison for bringing this proposal to Mexico City, arming troops. Mattie feels compelled to help Austin but Benito says they should leave him. Meanwhile, Otto and Benito start to clash, although they cannot fully articulate the nature of their discomfort.

Austin is eventually released from prison and meets again with Houston; he explains that Santa Ana released him to go convince the Texans to accept his rule. His experiences with Santa Ana lead him to conclude that “war is the only recourse” in achieving security for Texans. Benito informs Mattie that he is joining up with Santa Ana’s army, asking her to take refuge in his hacienda. He explains that he will be given a position of importance due to his family’s background and feels that winning the fight against the Texans is the only way he will be able to survive. She learns that Austin has escaped and is ill with pneumonia and goes to help him against Benito’s wishes; she insists that she only likes Austin as a friend and still loves Benito. He warns that if she does so, she will not be able to meet up with him and marry him, but she insists on going anyway, saddening him greatly.

Mattie arrives at Austin’s home and tries to nurse him back to health. On September 19th, 1835, Austin issues a call to arms throughout Texas in order to fight back against General Santa Ana. On October 28th, Mexican cavalry forces launch a surprise attack on San Antonio, but are repulsed by Texan gunmen led by Bowie. Austin cautions Bowie not to be overconfident, but Bowie retorts that Austin will have to rely on him for the victories against the Mexicans that he needs. Austin also tries to discipline Bowie, warning him to forego alcohol and conduct himself with respect and dignity. Houston speaks with Austin, who believes that Houston would be far more adept at leading the revolution than him. However, Houston has duties of his own to the United States Congress in an effort to convince them to back the revolution and lend the movement legitimacy. He believes that the Texans are not yet ready for full-scale war with Santa Ana and organizes a strategic retreat in order to buy them enough time to launch a proper counteroffensive. Houston sends Austin to Washington and places Travis in command in his absence, although he is concerned about Austin’s still-impaired health. Meanwhile, Benito, now a captain in General Santa Ana’s army, confers with the General and learns of his plans to fight the Texans at San Antonio, calling his measures unduly “harsh.”

General Santa Ana’s forces arrive in San Antonio and set their sights on an old Spanish mission on the outskirts of town where Texans have taken refuge, known to the local Native Americans as “the Alamo.” Travis and Bowie note the approach of the Mexican army and realize that they mean to attack without mercy, leaving no prisoners or survivors. Travis explains to his men that to fight against Santa Ana means certain death, but that their sacrifice could mean a free Texas. He asks his men to volunteer to fight alongside him, and all of them do, even a sickly Bowie. Santa Ana’s troops move into position to attack the Alamo. Includes commercials.

Also includes an “ABC News Brief” with Carole Simpson.

Details

  • NETWORK: ABC
  • DATE: April 16, 1995 9:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:55:02
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: B:38379
  • GENRE: Drama, historical
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, historical; Drama, western; Texas; Revolution; Mexico
  • SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 1995
  • COMMERCIALS:
    • TV – Commercials – Alka-Mints antacid
    • TV – Commercials – Burger King restaurants
    • TV – Commercials – Continental airlines
    • TV – Commercials – Downy fabric softener
    • TV – Commercials – Folgers coffee
    • TV – Commercials – Ford automobiles
    • TV – Commercials – Kotex tampons
    • TV – Commercials – Lady Speed Stick deodorant
    • TV – Commercials – McDonald’s restaurants
    • TV – Commercials – Mentadent mouthwash
    • TV – Commercials – Mycelex-7 yeast infection medicine
    • TV – Commercials – Napa auto parts
    • TV – Commercials – Nutrasweet sweetener
    • TV – Commercials – Nutri-Grain cereal bars
    • TV – Commercials – Pedigree dog food
    • TV – Commercials – Pert Plus shampoo
    • TV – Commercials – Pizza Hut pizza
    • TV – Commercials – Planters peanuts
    • TV – Commercials – Playtex women’s underwear
    • TV – Commercials – Polaroid cameras
    • TV – Commercials – Raisin Bran breakfast cereal
    • TV – Commercials – Red Lobster restaurants
    • TV – Commercials – Sears department stores
    • TV – Commercials – Secret deodorant
    • TV – Commercials – Tylenol pain relief
    • TV – Commercials – Visa credit cards
    • TV – Commercials – “Angels in the Outfield” home video release
    • TV – Commercials – “Destiny Turns on the Radio” motion picture
    • TV – Commercials – “The Lion King” home video release
    • TV – Promos - “The Bodyguard”
    • TV – Promos – “ABC News Primetime”
    • TV – Promos – “ABC News Special: Children First”
    • TV – Promos – “Day One”
    • TV – Promos – “Ellen”
    • TV – Promos – “General Hospital”
    • TV – Promos – “Good Morning America”
    • TV – Promos – “Grace Under Fire”
    • TV – Promos – “Home Improvement”
    • TV – Promos – “James A. Michener’s Texas”
    • TV – Promos – “NYPD Blue”
    • TV – Promos – “Passenger 57”
    • TV – Promos – “Redwood Curtain”
    • TV – Promos – “Roseanne”
    • TV – Promos – “Stephen King’s The Langoliers”
    • TV – Promos – “Tailhook”
    • TV – Promos – “The Marshal”
    • TV – Promos – “Unforgiven”

CREDITS

  • Aaron Spelling … Executive Producer
  • E. Duke Vincent … Executive Producer
  • John Wilder … Executive Producer
  • Cheryl R. Stein … Associate Producer
  • Shelley Hull … Associate Producer
  • Howard Alston … Line Producer
  • Richard Lang … Director
  • Sean Meredith … Writer
  • James A. Michener … Based on the novel "Texas" by
  • Kevin Young … Researcher
  • Lee Holdridge … Music by
  • Charlton Heston … Narrator
  • Maria Conchita Alonso … Cast, Lucia
  • Benjamin Bratt … Cast, Benito Garza
  • Fred Coffin … Cast, Zave
  • Patrick Duffy … Cast, Stephen Austin
  • Chelsea Field … Cast, Mattie
  • Anthony Michael Hall … Cast, Yancey Quimper
  • Stacy Keach … Cast, Sam Houston
  • David Keith … Cast, Jim Bowie
  • John Schneider … Cast, Davy Crockett
  • Grant Show … Cast, Travis
  • Randy Travis … Cast, Capt. Sam Garner
  • Rick Schroder … Cast, Otto MacNab
  • Daragh O'Malley … Cast, Finley MacNab
  • Miguel Sandoval … Cast, General Cos
  • Lloyd Battista … Cast, General Santa Ana
  • Lonnie Schuyler … Cast, James Bonham
  • Joe Torrenueva … Cast, Lopez
  • Esteban Powell … Cast, Young Yancey
  • Sully Ross … Cast, Young Otto
  • Russ McCubbin … Cast, Panther Komax
  • Nik Hagler … Cast, 1st Congressman
  • Jerry Cotton … Cast, Banker
  • Van Poole … Cast, Man
  • Roland Rodriguez … Cast, Juan Seguin
  • Rodger Boyce … Cast, Horace Skinner
  • Rutherford Cravens … Cast, Delegate #1
  • Steven Prince … Cast, Shaggy Man
  • Woody Watson … Cast, R.J. Poteet
  • Deborah Nunez … Cast, Josephina Garza
  • Lanell Pena … Cast, Maria Trinidad Garza
  • Darryl Cox … Cast, First Colonist
  • Morgan Redmond … Cast, Father Clooney
  • Robert Gerard … Cast, Mexican Sentry
  • Jonathan Joss … Cast, Comanche
  • Bill Moody … Cast, Delegate #2
  • John Davies … Cast, Second Colonist
  • Kevin Young … Cast, Sentry
  • Gary Carter … Cast, Stable Hand
  • Craig Erickson … Cast, Man
  • Kathryn Esquivel … Cast, Woman
  • Paul Wright … Cast, Settler