James A. Michener's Texas
James A. Michener's Texas (also called Texas) is a 1994 ABC television miniseries directed by Richard Lang and starring Patrick Duffy as Stephen F. Austin, Stacy Keach as Sam Houston, Chelsea Field as Mattie Quimper, Rick Schroder as Otto McNab, Grant Show as William B. Travis, David Keith as James Bowie, John Schneider as Davy Crockett, María Conchita Alonso as Lucia, and Benjamin Bratt as Benito Garza. The film is narrated by Charlton Heston. Aaron Spelling was the executive producer.
| James A. Michener's Texas | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Texas |
| Genre | Historical fiction |
| Based on | Texas by James A. Michener |
| Screenplay by | Sean Meredith |
| Directed by | Richard Lang |
| Starring | |
| Narrated by | Charlton Heston |
| Composer | Lee Holdridge |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Production locations | Brackettville, Texas Del Rio, Texas Alamo Village - Highway 674, Brackettville, Texas |
| Cinematography | Neil Roach |
| Running time | 180 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
| Picture format | Color |
| Audio format | Mono |
| Original release | April 16 – 18, 1995 |
Adapted from the 1985 historical fiction novel Texas by James A. Michener, it includes only the section of the book related to Texas Independence and the Battle of San Jacinto. The novel is more wide-ranging, starting with Spanish explorer Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca and ends in the modern day.
Although produced for television, Texas was released on home video first. This decision was not due to its quality, but to recoup its $12 million production cost feasibly as broadcast networks had shied away from expensive productions.[1]
Plot
The year is 1821. The vast, unsettled territory that will one day be known as Texas still belongs to Mexico. But the forces that will shape the future of this sprawling land have already been set in motion. It begins with Mexico's infamous and brutal General Santa Anna and explodes into an armed revolt waged by such legendary names as the fiery and headstrong Sam Houston, Stephen Austin, the Father of Texas and the immortal heroes of the Alamo: Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie. Set against the thrilling backdrop of America's turbulent frontier, Texas weaves a dazzling, epic tapestry of conflict romance and adventure. It's the story of an inspiring fight for freedom and statehood - and of the soldiers, settlers, outlaws and empire-builders caught up in their young homeland's stormy quest to fulfill its extraordinary destiny!
References
- Nichols, Peter M. "'Texas' as a Mini-Series". The New York Times (November 4, 1994). Retrieved August 3, 2012.