Interview with Francisco Philibert

General Martin Perfecto de Cos in the 2004 Alamo film.

AS: Before we get this interview on the road, tell us a bit about yourself!

FP: I was born in Venezuela and raised in Mexico. I turned to acting after my
divorce many years ago to help me feel more confident in front of people.

AS: Did you have any prior knowledge about the Alamo before being part of the
film?

FP: Yes I did, but only from the Mexican point of view. The textbooks in grade
school, issued by the Mexican government, were decidedly anti American and
made it look like the U.S. stole Texas. I now see things from a much broader
perspective.

AS: When were you first approached to portray General Cos?

FP: I received a notice through my agent at the time about an audition in
Austin. I was hesitant about driving down there, especially since I had
already driven to Austin twice before for the role of general Santa Anna for
a cable television movie. I did not get that role so I was leery about going
through that process all over again, for a similar part.

AS: How much research did you do to prepare yourself for the role? What were
your references and how did you apply them to your character?

FP: I read various articles from the Internet, and also read detailed material
sent to me by my uncle, a Mexican historian. In addition, I kept reading
throughout the time that I was there information furnished to us by Alamo
historians like Arnoldo Vento and Alan Huffines.

AS: Most of the cast and extras had to train before walking onto the Dripping
Springs set. What type of training were you assigned to do?

FP: Only horsemanship at first. But then I met the re-enactors through Don
Herlitz and J. Flournoy. It was then that my real training started. They
were very gracious with me, teaching me basic things such as how to salute,
and how to handle a saber. I think the movie’s realism was due in large
measure to their hard work.

AS: How was it to work with the cast and crew? Any great stories to share?
What was your typical day on the set?

FP: I loved working with the cast and crew. Except for just a couple of the
principals, everyone was extremely friendly and accessible. I have many
great stories. I remember when I had just arrived on the set. I wound up
chatting with Leon Rippy, who is now one of the stars in Saving Grace. When
he learned that the Alamo was my first movie, he gave me a great big hug and
said, “welcome.”

Another great story took place in the lobby of the Omni hotel. I was with a
group of actors having a drink. I had bought a beer for Billy Bob Thornton
and was seated next to him engaged in conversation. Suddenly, a very nervous
black woman approached Billy Bob with a cell phone in her hand. She
profusely apologized for interrupting but told Billy Bob that her son was on
the phone and that he was a big fan of his. She asked Bill Bob if he could
talk to her son. Billy Bob took the phone and spent the next 15 minutes
talking to the kid. That’s Billy Bob for you, one of the craziest,
friendliest, most down-to-earth and talented actors you’ll ever have the
pleasure to meet.

As for a typical day, well, there really was no typical day. We’d get the
call sheet the night before and it would indicate at what time we’d be
picked up, usually early in the morning. That was the only typical part of
our day. But the days themselves would vary greatly depending on many other
factors, such as light conditions, availability of other principals, the
weather, etc. We were spoiled, however. Breakfast was always waiting for us
at the principals’ cafeteria. We had our choice of all sorts of
made-to-order items. Lunch was the same, with lots of opportunities to
“graze” in between. We all gained at least 10 pounds over the course of our
time on the set. By nightfall, we’d return to the hotel where I’d usually
join the Mexican army “chiefs of staff” (Emilio Echevarría, Cástulo Guerra
and Mauricio Zatarain,) and we would venture out to explore one of many
wonderful Austin restaurants.

Fortunately for me but sad for my character, I did not get to participate
much in the night scenes. I heard that they were particularly grueling. I
told John Lee that Cos should be present and visible during the assault on
the Alamo, but he never took me up on it. After all, historians tell us that
it was Cos´s troops that first breached the Alamo walls.

AS: Most of the extras described the “San Jacinto” Bastrop set as being 114
degrees and dusty. A challenge for any of the cast and crew of the film.
Please, tell us about your time there.

FP: Yes, I’d concur with that. I did not get to spend very much time at San
Jacinto, but I do remember the heat and the dust. Ah yes, and the nasty
portable toilets, a reminder that some things don’t change through the ages.

AS: Sadly, what we saw of the theatrical release of The Alamo was a condensed
version of what John Lee Hancock, and others, intended. It leaves alot for
the imagination. The DVD features two deleted scenes in which you shine in;
my favorite of the two being the retreat from Bejar. Were there any other
scenes in which you were in that ended up on the cutting room floor? Maybe
someday, we Alamo fans will get a Director’s Cut!

FP: My favorite scene was when Cos crests a hill, with his ragtag army behind
after having left he Alamo, and unexpectedly encounters Santa Anna with the
entire Mexican army. There must have been at least 200 soldiers in uniform
on the set (which turned into thousands using movie magic.) I had to ride
alone about 200 yards in an unfamiliar horse, in frigid weather, with three
cameras trained on me, and face the general’s wrath. That was my first major
motion picture scene, and I was a nervous wreck but I pulled it off. I was
very disappointed to see that it had been dropped even from the deleted
scenes.

As with many other people, I too was saddened that what we saw was nowhere
what was on the script.

AS: Did you attend the premiere? If so, how was it to walk down the yellow
carpet with your co-stars?

FP: No, I was not invited and I was really not interested in attending. I had
already heard that the movie had been destroyed during the editing process.
I decided that I had to put it behind me and move on.

AS: After general audiences watched the film after it’s release, what did
you hope they would walk away with?

FP: I had hoped that people would walk away feeling that they had a better
understanding of the different points of view that led to the Texas war of
independence. I also hoped people would realize that there were no winners
or losers. It was not “us” against “them”, but rather a sad chapter in
Texas’s history. The forces at play between the cultures and races during
that era are still being felt today.

AS: It has been a little over four years since The Alamo premiered. What
have you done since?

FP: I continue to act, though nothing as exciting as that movie. Even though my
role was small, I did spend three fabulous months getting paid to learn a
great deal about acting and movie-making.

Stay Tuned to Alamo Sentry for other Alamo related interviews!