Customer Reviews

Alamo, the

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

One could easily say that seeing this film for the first time was a turning point in my life (it probably had a great impact on a lot of other 6-year old boys, too). To this day, John Wayne's "The Alamo" still has a firm grip on me emotionally.

True, the film is not accurate to history, but I dare anyone to name a movie that is! As I stated in my review of "The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc", Hollywood makes "movies", not documentaries (and most documentaries don't agree on the details of the Alamo, anyway). Movie producers, like John Wayne, try to make an "entertainment", to sell tickets and make money. Anyone who thinks film makers are honor-bound to tell the truth on the screen is kidding him or herself.

So the question is: Does this movie entertain? Speaking subjectively, I say a resounding "Yes!". I guess there's still a lot of 6-year old in me.

One suggestion I have for Ted Turner (or whoever makes the DVD decisions over at MGM) is to release the roadshow Director's Cut version on a 2-Disc Special Edition. Include the 40-minute documentary found on the current disc, and any other archival footage pertaining to the film (Oscars, premiere, interviews). I would also like to see the television special, "Spirit of the Alamo", that John Wayne hosted in 1960. A part of it was used in the aforementioned documentary, but it would be nice to see the program complete for a change. Perhaps the discs could also include a printed history of the Alamo and other events during the Texas Revolution, so viewers won't come away from the film thinking they just witnessed the truth.

John Wayne's version of The Alamo is one of my favorite Alamo movies, next to the recent epic blockbuster The Alamo with Billy Bob Thornton as Davy Crockett, Jason Patric as James Bowie, Patrick Wilson as Col. William B. Travis, and Dennis Quaid as General Sam Houston.
John Wayne wanted to tell the story of the famous battle at the Alamo and it's sacrifice, but he couldn't do it because the movie studio, Republic Pictures, the one he was under contract with, said he could only act in it and not direct it or he could direct it and not act in it.
So Wayne decided to strike out on his own to make his picture, he selected the principal actors and the extras, he built his own set of the Alamo mission and it's inner courtyard and the town of San Antonio de Bexar, and most of the money that Wayne spent on the movie came from his own pocket.
I mean, John Wayne wanted to make The Alamo and he did, I personally think that he should have been nominated and perhaps, awarded a Best Director Oscar for his direction of The Alamo.
I have the DVD version of this movie, but the one I have is the one with John Wayne standing in front of the Alamo holding his rifle on his shoulder, I don't this version yet.
John Wayne: Best Director: The Alamo

Although this movie has some western and war violence and action, this movie should be rated PG or PG-13 because of western and war violence and action. I wonder why in the 60's they did not rate this movie to be PG? Why not M for mature audiences?

There are histories and histories. Until recent time's history was told by the winner and we could not help but adjust it to make it more interesting. Well this is one of those movies that will not let the facts stand in the way of a good story, a colorful story, one that you can still root for the good guys and maybe feel a little sad if they happen to lose.

We all know the story of a hand full of Texans holding off General Santa Anna and the Mexican army in 1836.

All your favorite actors play all your favorite characters which include John Wayne fun to watch as Davy Crockett, Richard Widmark as Jim Bowie, and Laurence Harvey as William Barrett Travis. Their fait is dependent on each other, as apposed to a particular hero. The film is made in Bracketivlle Texas, which gives it a feeling of reality.

You may see a strange parallel between the Alamo scenario where a hand full of people (knowing they were doomed) hold on as long as they can to slow down the pace if the Mexican army. And the Tolkien tale of Middle earth where the elves knowing they were doomed fight and resist to the end.

Order your version of this film with caution as there are many different cuts and enhancements.

Be sure to watch the retaking of the Alamo in the movie "Viva Max." (1969) with Peter Ustinov.

The movie is good and with Frankie Avalon in one of his 1st movie roles.

Following the cinematic release of this years retelling of this factually based story, interest is renewed in this dated, but still hugely enjoyable John Wayne epic. An impressive, if diverse cast of A list stars (for the year of production) do much for the flavor and intensity of the picture, which although a little lumbering in places, is a very accomplished piece of film making. I will spare the synopsis, as most viewers and collectors will know the story, but think it is enough to say that this will go down as a classic in the genre. Waynes flag waving, and at times almost overbearing political ideals are very much apparent in the fabric of the picture, but this should not disuade you from a very entertaining western. I use that term a little loosely, as it is more than a western, and was groundbraking in more ways than one at the time of it's production. The DVD also contains a very intimate and interesting peek at the movies production in a special documentary which more than adds to the value of this (now keenly priced) release. A movie that will grace any home collection, and well worth the money.

The Duke's Alamo is a fine film. So is Walt Disney's Davy Crockett and the 2004 Alamo with Billy Bob Thorton as a fine Davy Crockett. You can't beat all of these for excellent historical adventures.

However inaccurate this film's portrayal of the events of the Alamo may or may not be, the work is brilliantly entertaining, enlightening, and family-friendly. This film gives us a look at the seige that gave Texas its independence, and a heart-warming cast of characters that shall forever live in the minds of Texans.

After watching "The Alamo" and being thoroughly disappointed, I turned to the Duke and Walt to fix the damage done.....

I realize some folks think that Walt Disney's "Davy Crockett" is kids stuff, but it was just as accurate and much more engaging that this sad new one.....

As much as Billy bob looks like some of Davy's pictures, the director fails to understand what men like that are like......Walt was one of them, he knew.....

It takes a great director, with the understanding of finesse and legends that's required to pull something like this off.....

Enjoy the new boxed restored set from Disney video, "Davy Crockett" to learn about the man, watch the Duke's film to understand what happened at the Alamo.....there was a reason they fought.......

The directors cut is the one to get....

This unapologetic piece of flag waiving patriotism has to be John Wayne's worst film...and this is from someone who believes that John Wayne is one of the worst actors in Hollywood history. I'm sorry to slaughter your sacred cows, if this offends anyone, but I really dislike John Wayne. Regardless, this film would not be any better if Gregory Peck or Marlon Brando starred in it. It is just filled with too many historical inaccuracies to be taken seriously.
If you want to view it as a piece of fiction, maybe you'll enjoy it... but I was unable to suspend my disbelief. Please, if you are interested in the real history behind the Alamo, don't depend on this film or the washed up rehtoric the Alamo guides feed you. Do a bit of research. I can't think many events in American history that are as misrepresented as the Alamo. To portray the Alamo defenders as reedom fighters, as this film does, would be to portray the Confederacy as a freedom movement as well. The truth has more gray areas than the black/white this film tries to sell. I'd like to say that Hollywood has improved since by being more critical of historical events, but looking at the previews of the new Alamo film I would venture to say it's still not the case.