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The Alamo (1960)

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32 out of 42 people found the following comment useful :-
If You Really Want to Know John Wayne, See This Legacy, 16 February 2005

Author: Bob-45 from Savannah, GA

Corny? At times long-winded and stilted? Touching, poignant and inspiring? John Wayne's "The Alamo" is all of these things; and, of this, I'm certain John Wayne would agree. For, unlike the lessor men who make up most of Wayne's critics, Wayne was fair. This is clear even in "The Alamo," in his depiction of Santana's army. Wayne believed in the basic nobility of men, much like those heroes depicted in "Rio Bravo". That his life and memory is treated more like that of Marshal Sam Kane's in the Wayne-despised "High Noon," or even in Wayne's own "The Shootist" is testimony that Wayne HOPED men were better than they are.

I'd never seen the full-length version of "The Alamo" until it was released on VHS in the early 90s. I realized then the greatest scene in the movie is "The Birthday Party," which was cut from the general release version of the film. NOTE: For those that don't remember, during the 50s and 60s, Hollywood would release long, big budget movies as reserved seat attractions. The film would show at a "roadshow" theater for several months before general release. Since "roadshow" theaters showed the movies only twice a day, running time was restricted pretty much to the patience of audiences. However, when the same film was shown general release, time restrictions became important, so films were cut to maximize theater owner profits. It still happens today, except now the "director's cut" reaches the home audience via DVD. In any event, the short version of "The Alamo," while impressive, is still a pale shadow of the Wayne's original cut. Most importantly, to see "The Alamo" is to understand John Wayne as a man, not an idol or actor. Wayne generously gave virtually all the big scenes to his costars. Certainly, Lawrence Harvey, Richard Widmark, Ken Curtis, Joan O'Brian and Richard Boone get better scenes. Also certainly, Chill Wills, Jester Hairston (Jethro) Hank Worden (Parson) and Veda Ann Borg (Blind Nell Robertson) have showier ones than Wayne. The scenes between Wayne and Linda Crystal in the first hour seem out of a different movie, though neither Wayne's nor Cristals are as big or showy as the ones I've mentioned. One thing I hope to suffer again was the "reunion" video attached to the VHS. The same old garbage about Wayne not being able to direct actors (by his SON, no less), that he really wasn't a very good director (Wayne's action scenes will match or beat anybody's in Hollywood). Especially rude was Richard Widmark's idea of impressing Wayne by insisting Wayne call him "Richard" and not "Dick" during their first meeting. Widmark came across as a pompous ass. However, the rudest cut was from Ken "Festis" Curtis. Curtis never had a better, more respectful part in ANY movie, but he didn't miss an opportunity to try to soil Wayne's memory.

Forget that "The Alamo" is a topnotch, if not entirely historically accurate historical western. Forget that Wayne directs action better than his mentor, John Ford, or that Chill Wills got an Oscar nomination, the only of his career, thanks to this "lousy director/actor". Remember this, Wayne risked EVERYTHING on "The Alamo" and lost. He was broke for years afterward. Wayne's continued success on the "A" list was by no means assured. He was 54 years old and raising a second family. Wayne had recently been swindled by a business manager and recently lost a best friend to suicide (Grant Withers). Wayne had to take a role in "The Alamo" to secure financing, and "The Alamo" is probably STILL the biggest movie ever directed by one of its stars. During filming, Wayne had to contend with interference from mentor John Ford and a murder investigation of one of his actresses. That same year Wayne's house was severely damaged by fire. Yet Wayne took continued carping by lessor men, those "artists" in Hollywood who ridiculed his acting and his directing. I'm sure they sneered in satisfaction when "The Alamo" failed to break even. However, it's reported the movie eventually made a small profit, probably part of it through sale of "Alamo Village" in Bracketville, Texas.

Wayne continued to make fine movies for sixteen more years after "The Alamo." In 1969 he was finally awarded by his peers an Oscar for "Rooster Cogburn." However, by then, Wayne had P.O.d them again with "The Green Berets". War service or not, NOBODY can say the man ever ran from a fight.

I'm not sure I would have liked John Wayne had I known him. I'm not a drinker and I'm not obsessively patriotic about this country, particularly since we started picking fights in the Middle East. However, as Wayne proved with Lawrence Harvey and Rock Hudson, Wayne didn't have to agree with someone's lifestyle or even their personal views to treat them with respect. I most certainly would respect him better than the "friends" he gave jobs in "The Alamo;" at least, those who slandered him.

Oh, and by the way, "RICHARD Widmark never won an Oscar."

I give "The Alamo" a solid 8.

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22 out of 26 people found the following comment useful :-
If you love the uncut version, then DON'T buy the new DVD, 12 December 2000
Author: (patrick.hunter@csun.edu) from Northridge, Ca

I love this movie as much as anyone, but the recently released DVD is inexplicably almost half an hour shorter than the version of this film that has been in release on video and laserdisc for years. Why, oh why MGM/UA did this, I don't know, but I know I am not keeping my copy of it. I got worried when this new version didn't have an overture...but I can live without that. However, when Richard Widmark's first scene occurred and over half of it was missing, I could only groan.

Shame on you MGM/UA. This movie is more than a classic for a good many of us. You should release the cut that you have been putting out for years now, the one that is 3 hours, 10 mins.

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17 out of 20 people found the following comment useful :-
John Wayne's Massive Tribute to Texas Terrific!, 18 November 2000

Author: Ben Burgraff (cariart) from Las Vegas, Nevada

Viewed as history, John Wayne's epic production of 'The Alamo' is as full of holes as Swiss Cheese (the final battle actually lasted less than an hour, in the pre-dawn darkness of March 6, 1836; current scholarly consensus is that the historical Crockett attempted to surrender, at the end of the furious onslaught, but was executed), but just as Wayne mentor John Ford never let 'the facts' interfere with a good story, first-time director Wayne wanted to tell a tale of larger-than-life heroes, taking a stand for what was right, and being willing to die for that cause. It was a firm belief in these truths that pushed Wayne into investing over ten years of his life, and much of his personal fortune, in telling this story, and 'The Alamo' was, and is, a triumph.

The film can really be broken into two distinct parts; the first part introduces the characters, providing insights into their personalities, and tells a melodramatic tale of a beautiful woman (the radiant Linda Cristal), being forced into an unwilling relationship with an evil, profiteering Texan, who is rescued by the plain-spoken and heroic Davy Crockett, as portrayed by Wayne. The story bears similarities to 'The Fighting Kentuckian', a Wayne vehicle of twelve years earlier. In this version, however, Wayne doesn't 'win' the girl, but gives her a rather preachy speech about patriotism, and doing what's right, and sends her on her way.

Despite a terrific fight scene between a bunch of the Texan's henchmen, and Crockett and Jim Bowie (portrayed with easy charm by Richard Widmark), this first part drags, a bit, and seems contrived to allow Wayne to air his political beliefs. Bear with it, though, because when the action moves to the mission/fortress of the Alamo, for the second half of the film, Wayne's talents as a director truly shine.

The story of the 13-day siege between the Alamo's 187 defenders, and General Santa Anna's 6,000-man army, has NEVER been told on a grander scale than in the John Wayne version, and the uncut edition of the film is presented in a wide-screen format, which allows the viewer to really share Wayne's vision. With a nod to the fact that the Mexico of today is a staunch ally (several characters make a point of saying how 'proud' they are of the Mexicans, even as the two forces are killing each other!), the story flows between exciting 'victories' (stealing the cattle, spiking the Mexican cannons), and an understanding of the inevitable conclusion (defined by Lawrence Harvey, as Travis, in the memorable 'sword in the sand' scene). Harvey's Travis is the best-realized of the film's many characters; he brings a humanity to the complex, driven commander, growing from someone insensitive to others, into a leader who earns everyone's respect.

Wayne used thousands of Mexicans as extras in the film, which gives the viewer a far greater sense of the magnitude of the siege than Republic's 'The Last Command' or Disney's 'Davy Crockett' ever could. The battles, particularly the final one, as row after row of Mexican foot-soldiers overrun the pockets of defenders, are unforgettable! Each character is allowed to die heroically, and is given a lingering moment to make a final gesture (Travis breaks his sword over his knee as Mexicans surge past, Bowie fires his unique gun, a brace of pistols, and swings his famous knife, Crockett, bayoneted to a door, still manages to pull free, and torch the magazine). The film's climax, alone, would make the film a 'must' for any action fan.

The cast includes many well-known character actors and long-time Wayne friends, including Ken Curtis as Lt. Dickinson, Travis's adjutant; Chill Wills as the most outspoken of Crockett's men; Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams, Denver Pyle, Chuck Roberson, and many others, as defenders. Wayne's son, Patrick, has a small but visible role as James Butler Bonham, the famous Alamo dispatch rider, and his daughter Aissa plays the Dickinson's child, Angelina.

'The Alamo', for all it's faults, is a magnificent spectacle, monumental in scope. It is a fitting tribute to it's star/director, and an ESSENTIAL part of any John Wayne collection!

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18 out of 23 people found the following comment useful :-
The FULL Version is Great, The Cut Version is Awful, 13 September 2004

Author: dbborroughs from Glen Cove, New York

This grand, over blown piece of Hollywood historical fable making is one the old Hollywood's last gasps. Its an old Hollywood star vehicle done at the start of the modern film era. Its far from realistic, but its a hell of a fun ride. In its full form its a grand epic that may not be one of the greatest films ever made but certainly in the second ring.

When the film was originally released this ran well over three hours. MGM wasn't thrilled, and hacked 40 minutes out of it for general release, despite numerous Oscar noms. Much of the subtler shades to the story went leaving a huge bloated and wrong headed tale of heroism at the Alamo.I can't really recommend the shorter version because its not very good. This is the version that was the only one you could see for years and its colored many peoples feelings towards the film which is a shame since its not a fair depiction of the events at the Alamo or the intentions of John Wayne.

The footage was thought lost until a print was discovered about ten or fifteen years ago and released to video and laserdisc. To see the full version is to have a night and day experience. Here in the full version we have real characters and not cartoons. The events suddenly have a weight missing from the shorter version. This is the version that should be seen, however the current DVD release of the Alamo by MGM is, the short release version of the film. That's a shame since since the missing minutes are the difference between a 9 out of 10 and a 6 out of 10.

If you can manage to see the full, uncut version do so, its worth the investment of time and popcorn.

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16 out of 20 people found the following comment useful :-
One of the best of the best!!!!, 24 March 2004

Author: jckalar from West Sacramento, California

John Wayne did an outstanding job on this film. It was overlooked at the Academy Awards and unjustifiably so. It was beautiful, costumes were outstanding and very true to type. The actors were wonderful and I believe should have been more acknowledged for the great job they did in protraying those truly brave men at the Alamo! I have this on DVD and watch it probably at least twice a year. The music, just to listen to the music, is an experience; beautiful and haunting. The horses were beautiful, the scenery was beautiful. Everything about this movie was beautiful. John Wayne, an American institution, a lover of this country and a true patriot deserved an academy award for directing this great film. I cant say enough great things about it. One of my favorites of all time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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19 out of 27 people found the following comment useful :-
The 'Battle Cry' that broke Santa Anna's back!, 2 July 2000

Author: ironside (robertfrangie@hotmail.com) from Mexico

John Wayne's directorial tribute to the struggle for "The Alamo" symbolized the spirit of resistance of a small group of determined fighters for Texan independence from Mexico...

Texans established a provisional government in 1835 and appointed Sam Houston (Richard Boone) commander in chief of their army... There followed a seesaw battle for control of San Antonio, including the ill-advised defense of the Alamo by a force of fewer than 200 Texas volunteers... General Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna was determined to take this key location in order to impress upon the Texans the futility of further resistance to Mexican ruler...

After a 13-day siege, every fighting man perished under the onslaught of 7,000 Mexican troops... Among the fallen defenders were Cols. William B. Travis, James Bowie and the legendary Davy Crockett... Only Mrs. Dickinson (Joan O'Brien), her little daughter and a black boy survive to provide the eyewitness story of the Siege and the Battle of the Alamo...

John Wayne portrays Davy Crockett, a frontiersman and politician, who saw the future of an independent Texas as his future and he loved a good fight... Crockett and his brave combatants - the Tennesseans, expert marksmen, held their position until death...

Richard Widmark is cast as Colonel Jim Bowie, a reckless adventurer, known for his famous 'Bowie knife'. Bowie has come to fight for Texas independence with a small force of volunteers. He had strong personal friction with Travis which threatens to develop into a private war... The difference in their personalities resulted in the two men sharing a somewhat antagonistic competition for command of the entire garrison... On one point they did agree: "The Alamo" is the most important stronghold of Texas...

Laurence Harvey plays Colonel Travis, "the grand Canyon of Texas," who arrives with 25 men to establish the first line of defense against Santa Anna... Travis is a disciplinarian officer who commanded the Texas defenders during the siege and battle of the Alamo, a genuine hero who anticipated a battle to the death, a polite gentleman who gave the men an opportunity to retreat with honor the ill-fated garrison but explained how important their defense of the Alamo is... His appeal from the Alamo of reinforcements becomes an American symbol of unyielding courage, heroism and self-sacrifice... Travis high moment in the film was when he fired his answer to Santa Anna with a cannon blast: Victory or Death!

With its seven Oscar nominations, including the Oscar-nominated hit song "The Green Leaves of Summer" and a superb score written by Dmitri Tiomkin and song-writer Paul Webster, and featuring some of the most spectacular battle sequences ever seen, "The Alamo," - a sacrifice on the altar of liberty - becomes the 'Battle Cry' that broke Santa Anna's back...

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20 out of 30 people found the following comment useful :-
The Academy was blatantly unfair to this epic, 16 October 2005

Author: farleyconsulting from United States

I have read many of the comments about this movie and have researched the actual event as extensively as I can. I find it difficult to understand how people could deem this movie categorically inaccurate in any way. It is indisputable that no one really knows the exact way the main characters died although Bowie in the infirmary with a bad leg is, perhaps, the only clear inaccuracy. Susannah Dickinson (one of the 3 survivors) testified that she saw Crockett's body in the compound within 20 minutes of the end of the battle with his "peculiar hat" next to him. This makes it unlikely that he was lined up and executed. It is also indisputable that these men could have run, but chose to stay, clearly understanding their probable fate. Reading Travis' letter to Houston just days before the final battle can leave no doubt of the heroism of these men. Is it not, therefore, infinitely more believable that perhaps Crockett did discuss the meaning of the word "Republic" with Travis (possibly the most emotional scene in the movie)? John Wayne researched the actual event and location meticulously. The actual original plans of the mission were used to ensure the Alamo Village was correct. Costumes were identical to those depicted in every book of Mexican military history I have seen.

I have seen "The Apartment"-winner of the 1960 best picture academy award. Its clear that Groucho Marx and the rest of the voters made a decision to scoff at Wayne in particular and patriotic historical epics in general. For, in my opinion, "The Apartement" is inferior. The Alamo should have won 5 Oscars (best score; best song "Green Leaves of Summer"; best supporting actor-Chill Wills; best movie and best sound).I also think Laurence Harvey should have been nominated for best actor.

I do agree with all of those that lament the deletion of certain scenes from the DVD version. How could MGM leave out the scene of the 32 Tejanos arrival at the Alamo. It is central to the movie and the actual historical event. The death of the Parson should also have been included.

It will always be one of my favorites.

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11 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :-
The Mt. Everest of all Westerns, 19 October 2005

Author: patrickshaffer from United States

Majestic and poignant, a glorious and mighty epic that will last down through the ages. Mr. Wayne never intended to make a documentary, but rather as he said in many interviews at the time, that he considered it one of the greatest stories of heroic American "folklore". Of course it is based on one of the valiant battles ever fought on this planet, but of course all that remains of that horrible slaughter, are letters, accounts of survivors from both armies ( and yes, diaries that are very likely accurate, if not totally honest, by participants). The point is - anyone that makes a movie, book, article based on history - had better have videotape or audio, to prove their accounts, or they will be torn to shreds by the nitpickers, that weren't there but love to complain, and not create. John Wayne wanted to preserve a moment of human dignity and ferocious battle action, between 2 forces that were destined to crash in this massacre. 1 side, the Alamo defenders, were the vanguard of democracy that was spreading across the West, first with mountain men and trappers, then the fighting pioneers that were determined to continue to the Pacific, in the spirit of Daniel Boone and Lewis and Clark. And the Mexican Army was defending it's land against what it came to think, were pirates and invaders. Santa Anna was a monstrous leader who lost so much that the young Mexican Republic, barely had a chance to start, after getting the Spanish out after hundreds of years. John Wayne bet everything on his values, American values - instilled in him on the prairies of Iowa, where he still heard cavalrymen and Union Army veterans, tell of a country they helped build, and passed it on to young Marion Morrison, before his family migrated to California, and his destiny to become one of the great symbols of America. By getting into the movie business, and studying at the elbow of the great rugged directors of the early years - Walsh, Wellman, Hathaway, Hawks and the great poet of the Western movie - John Ford. Who passed onto Duke the great motto - When the legend becomes fact, film the legend. Which Wayne did in a gigantic fashion, with "The Alamo". By hiring the very best composer of huge western themes, mixed with stirring and heartfelt emotion -- Dimitri Tiomkin, he assured audiences of rousing background to his great cameraman, Bill Clothier's fabulous and stunning cinematography -- like dropping back into history at such a pivotal moment. And if John Wayne's effort was not flawless, step up and invest millions into your own version of that timeless story. To say he had a ton of courage, is an understatement, for those who can appreciate greatness, now luckily available to us in DVD and tape forms, to pass on to our ancestors, the work of a man dedicated, come hell or high water, to preserve his big, bold monumental vision, for all generations to come. And for Americans, and all freedom loving peoples - to respect and forever "REMEMBER THE ALAMO".

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11 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :-
A Great Film no matter which version you watch!, 27 December 2003
Author: Swampthing316 from USA

I have seen both the long Director's Cut and the short theatrical release.

The Short version is the DVD release, which was ok, the film goes much faster but it leaves many holes in the plot.

The Long Version helps to fill in the plot holes, watch this version if you really like long films and are into history quite heavely, otherwise stick with the short version if you just want entertainment value, plus it still manages to keep your attention.

This film is truly a masterpiece that will be enjoyed for Generations to come.

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11 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :-
Great movie, 18 September 2001

Author: Danny Bailey, Jr. (jr_bailey_2000)

I really love this movie because it's a John Wayne movie first of all. I also like it because I am kind of a history freak and a movie freak as well.

I have both versions and have seen them both many times so I can say that again that I really love this movie

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