The First Texan
The First Texan is a 1956 American Western film directed by Byron Haskin, starring Joel McCrea in the title role as Sam Houston, the Tennessee governor-turned-Texas leader.[1]
The movie presents a fictionalized account of Houston's relocation to Mexican Texas in 1832 amid personal scandal, his alliances with figures like James Bowie and William B. Travis, and his strategic command culminating in the decisive victory at the Battle of San Jacinto that secured Texan independence from Mexico in 1836.[2][3]
Filmed in CinemaScope and Technicolor on locations including Conejo Valley, it emphasizes Houston's foresight against Mexican centralism and his role in founding the Republic of Texas, though it simplifies historical complexities for dramatic effect, such as compressing timelines and idealizing Anglo settler motivations tied to slavery expansion.[1][4]
Supporting performances include Felicia Farr as Houston's love interest and Jeff Morrow as Bowie, with the narrative framing Houston as a resolute pioneer embodying early Texan resilience.[1]