New 'Alamo' set not built to last

SAN ANTONIO -- Producers of the latest film on the battle of the Alamo say they want to preserve the elaborate set constructed in the Hill Country near Austin, but it wasn't built to last.

Some say the set constructed for the film -- which will have its worldwide debut Saturday in San Antonio -- is more historically accurate, depicting colonial Mexican and Spanish architecture.

The problem, says Alamo historian and college professor Stephen L. Hardin, is that the set materials aren't durable. Built of plywood, telephone poles and plaster, the set has required constant paint touchups by a set crew.

Billy Bob Thornton stars as Crockett in the film, with Dennis Quaid as Sam Houston and Jason Patric as James Bowie.

"The Alamo" is set for release April 9.