Cobbled together from three episodes of a TV series but it was shot in beautiful colour and the budget was decent so there are solid production values. It has problems of the cobbled together feature - part one and part two both feature Davy in a duel with someone (an Indian, and a shifty white). But it does feel like it has some sort of cohesiveness because it goes (a) initial Indian fighting in the War of 1812 (b) politician (c) Alamo.
This series and film inspired countless baby boomer brats to put on coonskin caps and go "bang bang bang take that Injun". The film feels into unhelpful myths such as the importance of mowing down troublesome Indians and Mexicans, albeit in the Congress episode Crockett is keen is speechify for the poor honest folk against rich land owners, says we should abide by our treaties, and he sticks up for Indians against some nasty whites (this was stock stuff in 50s Westerns). Slavery is ignored. Crockett's "common sense" yokel ramblings in congress or wherever it was is given due reference. Crockett's wife dies and kids go off to be raised by neighbours but that's taken care of in one scene where someone reads a letter to him.
The film does work on its own terms - its well executed, Fess Parker is an ideal Crockett, ditto Buddy Ebsen as his sidekick. There's cameos from Andrew Jackson, Travis, Jim Bowie, etc. It does look a little cheap during the Alamo battle but when you think about it the Alamo wasn't that big. It pumps along, and is ideal fodder for kids.
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