How can you say anything bad about a movie that gave you so much joy as a child and one that you can watch over and over again? The acting is a little bad and the script is a little stupid. Reference General Jackson "stoppered?" But even thought those things I feel are true, the joy is still there and you hate to see it end. Since no one knows how Crockett really died, not having him dead at the end but knowing it was only moments away was the best way they could have done it. The movie even had some historic truths which other movies about the Alamo lacked such as the attack before dawn. It seemed longer when I was a kid and I know they have cut some; yea even important scenes, which I wish they would restore to DVD or VHS.
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jamesrl4823 July 2002
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TheLittleSongbird19 February 2017Perhaps not a masterpiece, or the best Disney film or live-action Disney film. However, it is more than easy to see why the 'Davy Crockett' series and films and merchandise were so popular.
'Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier' still holds up quite well now, and to me more than just nostalgic value (have had several childhood favourites that have not held up, but 'Davy Crockett' still has a huge amount to like). Due to it being basically three episodes of the series rolled into one film, 'Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier's' episodic nature is inevitable but it doesn't hurt the film that much, the middle third may not be quite as exciting as the outer two but not in a bad way.
Some of the exaggerated action sequences may come over as a bit silly and childish now and the dialogue (with some hilariously bad grammar) even more so. However, 'Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier' has a huge amount to like and is impossible to dislike, a lot happens and very rarely does it lull.
It is a good-looking film, with gorgeously epic scenery and evocative production design that looks like a lot of care and homework went into it, all handsomely filmed. The music is rousing, especially the timeless theme song that is one of Disney's and childhood's best and most memorable theme songs.
There is some endearingly-good natured dialogue, and as said the story is eventful and often exciting, especially the final third in the Alamo. The characters are a lot of fun, with a charismatic and likable hero in Davy Crockett, and direction is breezy and bright.
Fess Parker is jovial, charismatic and immensely likable in the title role and Buddy Ebsen counteracts with him very nicely. The acting may not be "great" but hardly bad, more than competent.
On the whole, an impossible to dislike film and with a lot of good things. 8/10 Bethany Cox -
NewEnglandPat23 March 2003The life of Davy Crockett is told in this popular Disney television series that introduces Fess Parker as the resourceful backwoodsman from Tennessee. Crockett's exploits as Indian fighter are detailed in the first part of the series as he and partner Georgie Russel save the soldiers from being wiped out by the Creeks in that Indian war. Crockett as a Congressman from Tennessee comprises the middle part which sets up the third and exciting finale as Crockett and friends battle the Mexican army in the famous battle at the Alamo. The Appalachians of North Carolina where the Creek War skirmishes were filmed show beautiful mountain vistas and add realism to this fine film story of an American legend.
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sat466 May 2001The mid fifties television production of Walt Disney's "Davy Crockett" struck a nerve in the physic of American children. This three part TV mini-series launched the "Davy Crockett Craze", a phenomena that swept the Nation for some time.
Davy Crockett collecting cards, coonskin caps, toys, other assorted memorabilia, and the ever popular recording of the "Ballad of Davy Crockett", were only some of the outward signs of it's vast popularity. Actors, Fess Parker, as Davy Crockett, and Buddy Ebson as his sidekick, Georgie Russell became popular with almost most every child in America, practically over night. The show was so successful that the original three part series was clipped together and released to theaters as a full length movie. Then the Disney Studio produced a two part TV sequel the following year.
There is little doubt that by today's standards there was nothing special about it's plot, or dialog, or the acting, etc. Some critics might go as far to say it was rather silly, childish, and a mediocre production at best.
Perhaps that's all true, but it would miss the most important point. Seldom has any TV production cause so many young people to love a couple of screen characters so deeply, and with such spontaneous joy. In this regard it is a Classic and holds a special place in the history of television art. -
dwpollar23 September 20011st watched 9/23/2001 - 6 out of 10(Dir-Norman Foster): Simple yet BIG-hearted hero in Davy Crockett is represented here as doing many bigger than life things than dying as a martyr for the American old west at the Alamo but living on in the hearts of others. Fess Parker displays this hero with much humor along with his partner played by Buddy Epsen which helps because we have a hard time believing all of the stories of grinning a bear down(or 'bar' according to Crockett) and fighting injuns with his bare hands and winning. Light-hearted fare with wonderful character shown in the Davy Crockett legend should always be appealing to the American spirit.
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"Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier" is a movie made up edited portions of three episodes of Disney's VERY popular television series. It is a highly fictionalized version of the exploits of the frontier scout and adventurer, Davy Crocket. It's odd, as when the film begins there is a statement reading 'The characters and events in this photoplay are fiction....'. Well, this isn't completely true...quite a bit of the movie is truth. Crockett DID exist, as did many others in the film, such as General Andrew Jackson. And, some of the events happened...but the Disney writers decided that the real story of the man's life was too dull and so they just made stuff up. It's a shame, as Crockett was a very interesting and unusual character from 19th century American history.
The plot of the first portion of the film is something that wouldn't work well today. First, it shows Andy Jackson as a heroic man--but today his image has been re-assessed and he's known mostly for being a crazy President who was rash, a bit derranged and responsible for the Trail of Tears. Second, the Indians are the baddies and it's a bit of simplistic depiction of the Creek War....and again, I cannot see this sort of depiction being done today on film. These aren't necessarily complaints....just observations about how times have changed. Plus, the film DID show one of Crockett's better qualities....his standing up for the rights of the native Cherokee tribe....in this sense, he was a very honorable and decent man.
As far as the rest of the film goes, it, like the Creek War, is often true...and often completely made up. It follows Crockett to Congress as well as fighting at the Alamo...both of which did occur but the details are completely fictionalized. Not bad but it leaves you wishing a more fact-based film would be made about his incredible life.
Because so much of the film is fake, I cannot give the movie an especially high score. Parker is just fine in the lead and the film is reasonably well made even if it was written by someone who lies more than Pinocchio! Fun and enjoyable. The theme song, in particular, is incredibly catchy! That and most of the cinematography (aside from asome grainy stock footage) is nice, as it was filmed in the Smoky Mountains and looks authentic.
By the way, although this film is mostly forgotten today, back in the 1950s, this picture ushered in a sort of 'Crockett Mania'....with little kids all wanting coonskin caps and other paraphernalia in order to have their own adventures. It also was such a popular film that Fess Parker later starred in the "Daniel Boone" television series--and it was pretty much Davy Crockett all over again. -
Mr Skoooooter22 September 2000I first saw this film in 3 half hour segments over a 3 week period in 1956 and have seen it so often I can almost recite the dialogue. Fess Parker has been and always will be Davy Crockett, and even though George Russell was a ficticious character, he also did a super job. I reccommend this film highly, and its so much nicer to see at one time.
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ma-cortes15 June 2018This is a vigorous handsome adventure about a determined and powerful figure in his days as an Indian fighter and his gallant stand in defense of the famous site , El Alamo , being packed with noisy action, thrills , colorful fun , and spectacular as well as tremendous battles .Another Disney splice of three episodes from the popular TV series chronicling the further adventures of our frontier man well played by Fess Paker who dons the regular coonskin cap as a virile Davy . Here Davy Crockett meets adventures along with George Russell, Buddy Ebsen , fighting Indians who are threatening the peace during the bloody Creek Indian War under command of General Andrew Jackson , subsequently US President . Later on , Davy is appointed to Nashville representative and then elected to Congress as a Congressman and he brings his rough-hewn manners to the house of representatives. Finally , Davy and George journey to Texas , Bejar , The Alamo where takes place the last stand , 1836, attacked by the Mexican General Santa Ana . There they encounter the place really besieged and the tough Col. William Travis , Don Megowan, and the ill Col. Jim Bowie , Kenneth Tobey, stricken by fevers .
Here Fess Parker gives a fine acting who became a national figure incarnating the great frontiersman, an intrepid explorer with a welcome wry wit, including legends and myths . The action is swiftly presented , and in comic-book syle .It displays an attractive and sympathetic protagonist duo, Fess Parker and Buddy Ebsen. Accompanied by a fine plethora of secondaries as Hans Conried , Kenneth Tobey ,Don Megowan , Nick Cravat and Basil Ruysdael as President Andrew Jackson . Paul Hogan would appear with Fess Parker in the TV series Daniel Boone in 1966 . The nimble and sharp episodes were spliced together, interlaced by wonderful songs and released as a profitable feauture film . Walt Disney shot in color even though few color TV's were being sold, yet . As a result , the 3 episodes could be turned into instant movie by stitching the chapters get together . As it was a compilation of 3 episodes : Crockett Indian fighter, Crockett goes to congress and Davy at the Alamo .This series aired on ABC television Disneyland 1954-55. It is followed by another compilation , a new blending that created the sequel " Davy Crocket and the river pirates" 1955 by Norman Foster with similar artistic and technical .And there is anotje cinematic rendition about this historical role " Davy Crockett Indian scout" 1950 by Lew Landers with George Montgomery , Ellen Drew , Noah Beery
The film has a marvelous musical score by George Bruns , singer Bill Hayes had a top hit 1955 billboard with the song Ballad of Davy Crockett with music by Bruns and lyrics by Thomas Blackburn . And a brilliant and glimmer cinematography by Charles F Boyle .The movie was well directed by Norman Foster who made some good Westerns as TV as Cinema , such as " Crazy Horse and Custer the untold story , Tombstone territory , The legend of Custer , Bat Masterson , Navajo , Viva Cisco Kid , The sign of Zorro , Rachel and the stranger". Rating: 7. A catching and really enjoyable family adventure , essential and indispensable watching, the film helped spread Davymania among the kiddies of the fiftiies . -
I first saw this movie, over the 3 Sunday nights it ran on THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF COLOR, as The Disney show was then called, and fell head over heels with the character of Davy. He was so honest and good to my 5 year old mind and now, 50 (50!?!?!?) years later, I still admire the man and all he stood for. I was living in San Antonio, TX, at the time these 3 shorts came out, so I had my parents take me to the Alamo after the last installment and today I own a model 1816 Flintlock musket that was carried by a Mexican soldier in the second wave of the morning assault of March 6, 1836. The soldier; Eduardo Escalon's Great-Grandson furnished me written provenance from his Grandmother, who died in 1924, that her father had carried this particular rifle in the assault, and when he mustered out of the army after San Jacinto, he brought it with him when he emigrated to the US (Texas, of course), in 1838, and documents the history of the weapon during the battle, and it is in Fine shape for a rifle that's 179 years old and is still very accurate, though only for maybe 5- to 75 yards. And the tie-in to this film is obvious, and yes, I sometimes sit with the rifle in my hands when I watch the now DVD that just came out and think about the history of the whole scene.
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fomlife77716 September 2008I would rather be beaten and be a man than to be elected and be a little puppy dog. I have always supported measures and principles and not men. I have acted fearless and independent and I never will regret my course. I would rather be politically buried than to be hypocritically immortalized.
In a letter following his defeat in the 1830 elections, as quoted in David Crockett: The Man and the Legend (1994) by James Atkins Shackford, p. 133
Made in the Studios at Disney, Wowed the Audience in the 50's. Showed in the Cinemas, Showed on TV It's just as fun watching it on DVD Davy, Davy Crockett, Having fun on the clean frontier.
In watching 'The Far Pavilions' ( a film chronicling the journey of Lewis and Clark with the Absent Minded Professor and Moses )with my mother , she noted that everything looked so clean. The pioneers were clean, the Indians were clean and even the trees were clean. Film makers of the 50's researched and portrayed very accurately how clean the frontier really was. There was some supper strength cleaner they brought with them that eliminated all dirt and grim. I believe it was called a production assistant.
The same research was used and portrayed in Davy Crocket. At some point in my life I saw 'Davy Crocket: King of the Wild Fronteer'. The only scene I remembered was Davy letting his best buddy George Russel kiss his beautiful wife, just because he saved his life. I don't know any friend of mine who would let me kiss their beautiful wife.
The film may not be historically accurate or maybe it is. It is however a film full of fun and high adventure. Davy is a likable fella. Someone you would have a beer with if he drank beer. He is funny, smart, adventures, humble; bear wrestler, has a cool coon cap, a good congressman (seriously) and a good Christian. The film is a tad bit choppy in parts due to the film being put together from 3 episodes of the Disney TV series. The action is very Disney Esq, for the audience of the time period but still dishes that adventure out rousingly.
The other cool thing is that instead of straight narration, a group of singers sings the glories of Davy Crockett as a map is shown of his travels. Indiana Jones may have a cool orchestra theme, but doesn't have a Ballad about his exploits with his name. Take that Dr. Jones. Davy Crockett deserves a place among the other movies in your book shelf. It's fun and gives you a brief glimpse into an American legend. It also reminds you how dirty the world has gotten since the 1800's.
Pop, pop, pop! Bom, bom, bom! throughout the day. No time for memorandums now. Go ahead! Liberty and Independence forever. Last entry in his diary, (5 March 1836) -
bkoganbing25 February 2007It took almost 50 years for films to get Davy Crockett right, when the latest Alamo film came out, Billy Bob Thornton came the closest to capturing the real Crockett. It's not Fess Parker by any means.
But you ask any kid who was a baby boomer what his conception of Davy Crockett was you will inevitably find some 6 to 10 year old who back in the day insisted his parents get him a coonskin cap like Fess Parker wore on the Wonderful World of Disney. For better or worse its Fess Parker who is the image of the frontier scout who fought in the Creek War, went to Congress, and then died at the Alamo.
Crockett's name is inevitably linked with the other legends of Texas who died in that mission in March of 1836. Of the group of them he was probably the best of the lot. He wasn't a compulsive womanizer like Travis, nor a land swindler/slave trader like Bowie.
Davy Crockett was an ordinary fellow, Mr. Average Man, on the frontier who had a good record in the volunteer militia. Liked by his neighbors he got himself elected to local office and then, running as a supporter of Andrew Jackson, ran and won for Congress in 1826.
Jackson himself, was the titular head of the Democratic political machine in Tennessee and at that time he had a lot of followers who competed for his favor. Crockett whatever else he was, never really learned the political game. He got outmaneuvered in the Jackson camp and eventually broke with Jackson when Jackson became president in 1828.
Before he lost his seat in Congress for good in the 1834 off year elections, Crockett had drifted into the nascent Whig Party and was anti-Jackson. One issue that drove them apart was the Jacksonian Indian policy. Crockett fought the Indians, but felt we ought to respect treaty rights. Not a popular position to take on the frontier. He was an honest man.
He drifted to Texas looking to pick up the pieces of his life after his political career ended in Tennessee. The part of the film devoted to that aspect was somewhat real, though Fess Parker was way to kind to Jackson here. In real life Crockett said some really nasty things about his former commander.
Davy Crockett made Fess Parker although he could never escape the type casting. Eventually he gave in and became another coonskin hero Daniel Boone in a long running television series. The film also marked something of a comeback for Buddy Ebsen. Playing Georgie Russell, Crockett's sidekick, revived Ebsen's career. Ebsen eventually got two long running television series himself, The Beverly Hillbillies and Barnaby Jones.
Walt Disney couldn't let the Crockett mania go even with Davy getting killed at the Alamo so he produced Davy Crockett and the River Pirates the following year. By that time the Crockett mania died down and Disney and Parker went their separate ways.
Don't look at this film and think you're seeing the real Davy Crockett. But for the kid in all of us who once pestered their parents for a coonskin cap, it sure takes you back. -
Wow, was this big stuff back in the mid '50s. I remember my little brother walking around with his coonskin cap on all day. This was exciting material back then, and when we were young boys. When we first saw this, it wasn't one film but three episodes on the weekly "Disneyland" TV program.
Looking at it 50 years later was a bit disappointing, but I should have expected that. It looks so dated and the story ends so abruptly. However, it was still fun to watch, not just a piece of nostalgia.
It's almost refreshing to see such a likable, old-fashioned, God-honoring hero on screen again. You certainly don't see a lot of that today.
The grammar is so bad in here with Davy (Fess Parker) and his buddy "George" (Buddy Ebsen) and the expressions so country-corn pone that you can't believe some of the things you hear!
The best part for us old codgers might be that Davy Crockett theme song. Tough to get that out of your head, once it's in there. -
When I was 5 I absolutely loved this film. Davey Crockett was one of my idols next to Arnold Schwarzenegger and The Ninja Turtles as a kid. It was hard for you not to see me and not hear The Ballad of Davey Crockett now and again. However that was nearly 10 years ago and that is about the same amount of time it's been since I have seen it. I looked over it recently and I know now why I liked itso much now. The film is humorous at points, dramatic at others but the action can be cheesy. Also I didn't liketheir use of stock footage. However over all the movie was pretty good.I suggest re watching it for those who watched it as a kid and eventhose who haven't seen it will enjoy it if they are up for watching a classic from Disney that isn't a cartoon.
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wes-connors29 December 2014In the early 1800s, fearless frontiersman Fess Parker (as David "Davy" Crockett) fights and kills a bear. His real job, however, is killing Native American Indians in the Mississippi Territory. During a break in battle, Mr. Parker goes home to see his wife and sons in Tennessee. He often wears his famous "coonskin cap". Back in action, Parker must rescue loyal side-kick Buddy Ebsen (as George E. Russel), who is captured by Indians. This leads to a confrontation where Parker cites the commandment "Thou Shalt Not Kill" and stops killing Indians. He begins to stand up for the Native Americans' right to a portion of land; he wants "Red" and "White Man" to respect each other's way of life...
His fighting skills and ability to see both sides in a conflict leads Parker to politics. "Davy" becomes an advocate for Native American rights and American freedom, in general. Finally, Parker, joins the battle for the Texas Alamo...
Quickly capitalizing on the "Davy Crockett" craze, producer Walt Disney commissioned this feature film edit from three episodes of his "Disneyland" television program. The studio does a nice job piecing it together, and it's presented in color. The TV show was, then, being broadcast only in black-and-white. Parker is endearing and the character grows to respect Native Americans. They aren't portrayed with a lot of dignity, however. "Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier" is not factual. However, the story gets an honorable pardon for acknowledging the fact when Parker dismisses, as fiction, a contemporary pamphlet purported to record "folk hero" Davy's adventures.
***** Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier (5/25/55) Norman Foster ~ Fess Parker, Buddy Ebsen, Basil Ruysdael, William Bakewell -
Rick-1257 December 1998Fess Parker's "Davey Crockett" provides an entertaining story of his Tennessee origins to his final act of courageous devotion at the Alamo. Serious historians can certainly dispute the film's adherence to the facts of Davey Crockett's life. This portrayal made Davey Crockett a hero to the men of the US's baby boomer generation.
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utgard1426 December 2014I'm far too young to have experienced the Davy Crockett craze that kids in the '50s got to experience. However, I did first see this movie (which is compiled from three episodes of the TV series "Disneyland") as a boy. In the small town where I grew up, teachers would often show movies to us kids whenever it was raining outside and we couldn't go out for recess or if there was a substitute teacher or maybe if the regular teacher just didn't bother with a lesson plan that day. Whatever the reason, they would show us movies and cartoons from time to time. Usually these were Disney movies and among the ones I have the most distinct and pleasant memories of is Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier.
As I said, the movie is compiled of three episodes from TV so it's broken into three parts. The first part deals with Crockett the Indian fighter. The second part is about Crockett the politician. The third part is about Crockett at The Alamo. Not surprisingly, this final part is the best and most exciting of the three. The first part is fun, too, if you're not an easily offended type. The second part is a little dull but amusing at times. Fess Parker is great in the role of his career. Buddy Ebsen is fun as his comic relief sidekick. Hans Conried, Kenneth Tobey, Mike Mazurki, and Don Megowan are all part of the good cast. It's a beautiful-looking movie, filmed on location with that wonderful Disney polish. Love the timeless theme song, too. It's a little corny and aimed at kids but lots of fun if you're in the right frame of mind for it. Those with sanctimonious attitudes towards historical figures will hate it. -
mark.waltz17 March 2022No, this was not colorized by Ted Turner. Walt Disney must have had a feeling that the film would have been successful enough on TV viewings so he filmed it in color in preparation for a big screen released after it aired in three parts as part of the Walt Disney television show. Only 1% of Americans had color TV which had been perfected (in 1950s terms) the previous year, so for those who saw it on black-and-white TV, going to see it in the movies made it seem like a new experience. The film itself is a bunch of hogwash as far as history is concerned and the legend of the real Davy Crockett, cleaned up for Disney audiences with a lot of the violence of the period eliminated or only subtly hinted at. Fess Parker is perfectly cast, and he'll forever be known for this role even if his career ends up mostly forgotten.
If we are to believe what is presented here, then Davy Crockett definitely was the Will Rogers of his time, never needing a man he didn't like. Perhaps he would fight them, but he would shake their hands when it was done. Maybe not the character played by Mike Mazurki. He's the only real Dylan in the film, stealing the land from a Cherokee who had papers to prove that he owned it. Crockett fights in the Indian Wars but when it's over, he treats them as if they are his best friend, battling a young chief in a hatchet match and winning, and using that victory to plead for a truce. When he's elected into public office, he promotes protections for the natives, even if he is supporting Andrew Jackson as president.
In the supporting role of Crockett's sidekick, Buddy Ebsen doesn't sing and dance like he did in previous movie roles, but this is definitely what led him to be cast as Jed Clampett on "The Beverly Hillbillies". He doesn't really get a lot to do but react to what Parker does, but he does it with style and homespun charm. Certainly it is very episodic looking with the theme song popping in and out to indicate where the breaks were on television. Helene Stanley is Mrs. Crockett, and Basil Ruysdael is President Jackson. Hans Conried is amusingly droll as the overly dressed man who escorts Crockett to Texas, and gives the photographer the opportunity to show a buffalo stampede as well as a cute prairie dog. More cinematic as a classic than a great film as a classic, but certainly worth seeing for repeat viewings. -
This was the classic Davy Crockett film by Walt Disney, an astonishing world success at the time, almost creating a cult lasting until the 60s, with an overwhelmingly realistic Alamo finale (end of siege today March 6th 1836 with all heroes fallen), inspired the mammoth "Alamo" film 5 years later with a bleak John Wayne in comparison with Fess Parker, while the great performance of that film was Richard Widmark as Colonel Jim Bowie. The Disney production was above all extremely well and carefully written originally for television, with such a success that is was turned into a major film, and Fess Parker's impersonation of the very simple and common but totally straight-forward frontier man is perfectly convincing, even and especially his appearances in congress. The film is wonderfully sincere in its simplicity, and you never forget the few but intimate family scenes. Buddy Ebsen as George Russell makes a perfect buddy all the way through, and Basil Ruysdael is a formidable Andy Jackson. There are also some great hard fighting fisticuff style, both with Indians and more blatant crooks, the Bigfoot scoundrel being perfect as a flamboyant villain. The music adds to the charm of the sincerity of the film, it's only one tune all along, with the exception of the more lyrical, intimate and unforgettable "Farewell to the Mountains" in the Alamo pause of fighting; but at one time the Davy Crockett song even masquerades in an arrangement for string quartet. In its simple adventure genre, it remains as a film a timeless classic, this is great film story telling, offering plenty of after-thought and all true, which it will always be a pleasure to return to in one decade after another...
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rdoyle2911 August 2017Davy Crockett saves the day during the Creek Indian War, runs for Congress and dies at the Alamo (spoiler!) in this "film" compiled from three episodes of the TV series. It's not really a rip-off since the series was filmed on colour film stock, but aired in black and white. Seeing it in colour is impressive, especially much of the scenery shot in North Carolina in the opening segment. I don't think it's top notch Disney, but it's good stuff.
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There is something great about a movie that can cause an entire generation to let loose its imagination with pure adventure. Oh sure, there will always be those few dunderheads who will complain about the killing of Indians and Mexican soldiers. However, as much as they would like to change it, history is history regardless of results. There have always been, and will always be, clashes and wars between various peoples throughout the world. Both the white man and the black man fought and killed Indians and all manner of nationalities all the way from the East and throughout the history of the American West. Then there will also be those who will complain about early day special effects and stunts. Well hey, that's why they were early day and that is how show business people learned to improve movies and technology over the years. So get over it and just enjoy the movie. I'm not going to go through the story line, most of us are familiar with following Davy Crockett and his pal Georgie Russel as they tamed the Indian uprisings, through Congress and on to the Alamo in Texas. I just bought and watched the movie on a DVD which also includes Davy Crockett and the River Pirates and a Chip & Dale cartoon. The picture on this DVD is absolutely beautiful, it looks like it was made yesterday instead of 1954. My nine year old grandson came in when it was just starting. He began watching and sat all the way through and loved it. So it stands the test of time. I haven't seen it for quite some years and it took me back to the days when we knew who the good guys were and who the bad guys were. Not like many movies today where the distinction is a blur and bad guys are made to look like good guys. No wonder so many kids are confused, but that's another subject. I actually picked up on a couple of bloopers I hadn't noticed in younger years. In the scene where Davy is about to fight Red Stick and an Indian offers him the choice of a sharp hatchet or a blunt stone ax, the weapons magically switch hands from when the Indian is seen from the front and from the back. Also, at the Alamo when Davy shoots the two Mexican soldiers working the cannon using Betsy his single shot musket, he does it quickly as if he had two barrels or a breach-loader. So quick there was no time to reload. Allow me to focus on some of the actors in the movie. Fess Parker is the only Davy Crockett to me. In fact, so much so, that when I saw John Wayne playing him in the first Alamo, it was hard to believe he could be Davy. As good as John Wayne was he was no Davy Crockett compared to Fess Parker. Although Fess Parker certainly did some great film work other than Davy Crockett, he didn't stay with it and at one point seems to have dropped out of the movie/TV scene and went into business. Maybe he figured it was hard to top his fame as Davy or maybe he just figured to go out on top. What is noteworthy is that Buddy Ebsen, who played the second part as the side kick, actually did much more in film. He was one heck of a dancer in his younger days if you've seen him in Shirley Temple's Captain January and others. He gained fame also as Jed Clampett on the Beverly Hillbillies and Barnaby Jones on TV. He was to be Davy Crockett until Walt Disney saw Fess Parker in "Them" and he was also to be the scarecrow in "The Wizard of OZ" until he became ill from the metallic makeup. Regardless, he did well for himself. Fess also did well in business and has owned a winery for some years in California. A big thanks to Fess and Buddy for a job well done! Other actors in the movie were Mike Mazurki as Bigfoot who was a wrestler before movies and usually played a tough guy, even back in an early Dick Tracy. Hans Conried was Thimblerig and a familiar face in many TV and movies including Uncle Tonoose in TVs Make Room for Daddy and the voice of Captain Hook in Disney's Peter Pan. Jim Bowie was played by Kenneth Tobey whom I remember in his own TV show in the 50's show titled Whirlybirds. Most of the other actors did not appear to go on to bigger and better film work. One can watch this over and over and never tire of it. So grab your musket and coon-skin cap and enjoy!
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RosanaBotafogo18 April 2021Interesting the message from Disney before starting the film, here we see an example that treats a hero who hunts bears and Indians, and today they review this concept, a small but important and fundamental attitude, a good production, despite these grotesque situations... The little songs won my heart, Davy... Davy Crockett... each scene is a Davy track...
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matthewssilverhammer28 March 2020Stock footage of wild animals, unabashed colonialism, possessive sexism...all made better by a truly lame white savior hero. However, it does have the following quote: "My father can lick any man in Kentucky...and I can lick my father." So it's not all bad.
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cbrown-329 July 2000probably the best movie ever made. i grew up watching this movie. i have always loved it and i always will. Fess Parker was great in this film he is the perfect davy crockett. i didn't any of the other crockett movies, but i bet they are pretty good. i recommend this movie to anybody who likes history.
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cricketbat23 November 2018Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier is a classic slice of Americana. Fess Parker plays the part of the wise and brave hero well. It may be highly fictitious and overly simplified, but this movie is a great introduction for kids to American history and folklore.
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Flintlock627 February 2004I was 7 years old when this movie came out. I had a coonskin cap and wore it until it cut off my circulation. I'm now 50+ and have seen exactly three professional basketball, one hockey, two baseball and no football games. I built and hunt with a 1775 flintlock, horn and bag. My focus these days is Lewis and Clark but it was Fess Parker and Buddy Ebsen who captured my imagination and have kept me dreamin' for nearly half a century. Sure there were some Hollywood inaccuracies but the flavor, feeling and freedom of the eastern woodlands and the early frontiersmen were portrayed good enough to make me, and a lot of others, life-long Crockett admirers. "Be sure you are right then go ahead."