The Alamo | film by Wayne [1960] | Britannica.com film by Wayne [1960] The Alamo, American epic film , released in 1960, that was John Wayne ’s dream project about the Battle of the Alamo (1836). A scene from The Alamo (1960), directed by John Wayne. © 1960 United Artists with Batjac Productions and The Alamo Company Frontier legend Davy Crockett (played by Wayne) and his men arrive in San Antonio , Texas, and volunteer to help defend the Alamo, a hopelessly outgunned mission-turned-fort that is about to be assaulted by Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna ’s Mexican army. The post is commanded by Col. William Travis ( Laurence Harvey ), a courageous but overly strict officer whose methods clash with those of the folksy Crockett and his fellow legendary frontiersman Jim Bowie ( Richard Widmark ). Travis hopes to hold the Alamo long enough for Sam Houston ( Richard Boone ) to send additional troops.

When word arrives that the reinforcements have been massacred en route, Travis gives the volunteers permission to leave the fortress, as they would face certain death against overwhelming odds. To a man, they opt to stay. Moved by their courage, Travis mounts an aggressive plan to forestall the inevitable defeat. The Alamo defenders repel the first attack but cannot hold off the second assault. Travis dies in battle. Crockett is killed by a lance, but before he dies, he manages to ignite the ammunition depot in a spectacular explosion, and the wounded Bowie dies fighting from his hospital bed. Wayne had long been interested in bringing the Battle of the Alamo to the big screen, and he was involved in most aspects of the filmmaking. In addition to starring in the movie, he served as director and producer and also provided some of the financing. Although the script was heavy-handed at times—with grizzled mountain men emoting about freedom and patriotism—the film was largely entertaining, especially the final battle, which ranks among cinema’s great action sequences. Praise was also extended to Dimitri Tiomkin’s score. At the time of its release, The Alamo received mixed reviews and had limited success at the box office.

Some of the negative reception was blamed on an overly aggressive marketing campaign—one that only increased in intensity after the film received seven Academy Award nominations, including a nod for best picture. The backlash mounted after Oscar nominee Chill Wills implied that voting for anyone else would be anti-American. In the end, the film won two Academy Awards, for sound and cinematography. Production notes and credits Studios: Batjac Productions and The Alamo Company Director and producer: John Wayne Writer: James Edward Grant John Wayne (Col. Davy Crockett) Richard Widmark (Jim Bowie) Richard Boone (Gen.

Sam Huston) Chill Wills (Beekeeper) Super Reviewer ½ 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! Cassandra Maples The Alamo Remind Me The Alamo (1960) Nominated for six Academy Awards®, The Alamo (1960) was a dream that John Wayne had been harboring for over 15 years and he threw himself into developing the project after completing The Quiet Man in 1952. Initially proposed as a picture for Republic Studios with Herbert Yates producing, the deal eventually fell through with Yates going on to produce his own Alamo movie, The Last Command (1955). Wayne refused to abandon his original vision, however, and finally succeeded in striking a deal with United Artists in 1956.

In order to direct the film and insure that creative control could not be taken from him, the Duke had to agree to play the part of Davy Crockett and sign a three-movie deal with the studio. As a result, Wayne exercised nepotism in assembling his cast and crew to make sure that his project would remain faithful to his ideals. His son Michael served as assistant producer, Wayne's brother Bob was the producer's aide, other sons and daughters were extras or had bit parts. Wayne's pal James Edward Grant wrote the screenplay. Good friend and mentor, director John Ford, came to the set to lend any help Wayne might need. And John Ford's son-in-law, Ken Curtis, played Captain Dickinson. The story of the 187 Texans (including frontiersmen Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie) who held out against over 6,000 regular Mexican army troops for 13 days during the Texas Revolution embodied the idealistic elements that were closest to Wayne's heart. For the film's location, Wayne decided on Brackettville, Texas, and began building the sets in 1958 while he assembled his cast.

Clark Gable was his first choice as William Travis and Burt Lancaster was considered for Jim Bowie, roles which would eventually be played by Laurence Harvey and Richard Widmark, respectively. Sammy Davis, Jr. campaigned vigorously for the part of Jethro, Jim Bowie's slave, but was passed over in favor of Jester Hairston, a less controversial choice (Davis's "Rat Pack" status and interracial romance with May Britt made him an unpopular choice with investors in the film). By the time production began, The Alamo had a cast and crew of 342 people, 1600 leased horses, and a catering staff of 45 which was a daily drain on the film's budget. Historically there was a rivalry between Col. Travis and Jim Bowie, but on the set of The Alamo, the clash was between Richard Widmark and John Wayne. Widmark repeatedly challenged Wayne's direction in front of everyone and once they almost came to blows; thereafter the two remained professional but aloof. Other on-set aggravations were caused by the Texas location - scorpions, skunks and other critters were a constant nuisance. In the biography, John Wayne American by Randy Roberts and James S.

Olson (University of Nebraska Press), co-star "Hank Worden remembered that "there were something like thousands of rattlesnakes every square mile." The heat was oppressive. In September the temperature was already 84 degrees by 10:00 a.m., and by 3:00 in the afternoon it was a blistering 98. The humidity was terrible, not at all the dry heat they had expected. Decked out in his costume and coonskin cap, Wayne poured sweat, sometimes so profusely that he had to change clothes before going in front of the camera." Wayne also found that allowing John Ford to sit in on the set was a big mistake. His former director would constantly undermine Duke's direction, offering unsolicited advice or barking, "G*ddamnit, Duke, that's no way to play it," after scenes. Not wanting to appear disloyal to the man that had launched his career, Wayne assigned Ford some second unit action scenes which kept him busy while the Duke could work uninterrupted (he hardly used any of Ford's footage).

On the other hand, some suggestions were heeded and Wayne decided to cast pop singer Frankie Avalon (recommended by Michael Wayne) in the role of Smitty, a part he once planned to play when he was younger and trying to launch the project. In addition, he also cast world famous matador Carlos Arruza as an aide to General Santa Anna. Both were obvious ploys to appeal to young audiences and Mexicans, respectively. When Wayne first previewed the film in San Antonio, The Alamo ran 192 minutes and nearly everyone agreed that it was too long. Even after 40 minutes were cut for the general release, most critics were still unfavorable in their reviews. The public was more enthusiastic, making The Alamo the number five box office hit of the year. Even though it was also a huge success in Europe and Japan, it would take years for the film to turn a profit due to its runaway production costs. The Duke later remarked, "That picture lost so much money I can't buy a pack of chewing gum in Texas without a co-signer." Despite its much-maligned reputation, however, The Alamo is an often impressive epic with several memorable set pieces and performances.

The second half of the film, in particular, where the Mexican troops stage their final assault on the Alamo's defenders is genuinely stirring and the Dimitri Tiomkin score yielded a top forty radio hit, "The Green Leaves of Summer." Of the six Oscar® nominations only one was a winner - Best Sound by Gordon E. Sawyer and Fred Hynes. The only film John Wayne would ever direct, The Alamo proved to be more autobiographical than he possibly realized at the time. According to the authors of John Wayne American, John's daughter, "Aissa Wayne believed that the film had a great deal to do with her father's decision not to enlist in World War II. "I think making The Alamo became my father's own form of combat. More than an obsession, it was the most intensely personal project of his career." He used the film to explain himself - his Cold Warrior passions, lifestyle, failed marriages, and patriotism. The Alamo was Duke's confessional, an open letter to 150 million Americans.

The film tells more about John Wayne than about Texas in 1836." Director/Producer: John Wayne The Alamo (1960) - Episode 49 - Classic Movie Reviews - Snarky Snarky Movie Reviews Linda Cristal – The Alamo (1960) I'd hate to say anything good about that long-winded jackanapes, but he does know the short way to start a war. The Alamo (1960) and it is a star studded epic. This movie was directed, produced, and starred the great American actor John Wayne as Col. Davy Crockett, Richard Widmark as Col. Bowie, and Laurence Harvey as Col. Travis. Rough Script The Alamo (1960) Welcome to today’s show, my name is John. As always you can subscribe to the show on iTunes or follows the links to social media in the podcast Still from The Alamo (1960) snapped by photographer Dennis Stock. show notes. You can also go to snarkymoviereviews.com to read notes, bios, and other random movie thoughts. Today’s movie is a little John Wayne art piece. I’m just kidding.

It’s The Alamo (1960) and it is a star studded epic. This movie was directed, produced, and starred the great American actor John Wayne as Col. Davy Crockett. We covered John Wayne in Episode 2 – Chisum (1970). Another great American actor Richard Widmark played the role of Col. Jim Bowie. Richard Widmark was covered in Episode 23 – The Long Ships (1964). After filming began Widmark was unhappy with his casting. He felt he was too small to play the larger than life Jim Bowie who stood 6 feet 6 inches and made the knife that bears his name famous. After the problem was settled Widmark did a great job playing Travis as slightly angry. I wanted to give you a little background on the historical Jim Bowie. Natchez, Mississippi was the jumping off point for Texas. Almost a decade before the Alamo Bowie was in Natchez and got into a little scrap. I’m summarizing this from Wikipedia and the link is listed below [i] . On September 19, 1827 a group of men attended a duel on a sandbar in the Mississippi River.

This was done to avoid state laws against dueling. Bowie was supporting the Samuel Wells III side. The other side supported Dr. Thomas Maddox In total 17 men were present but only 6 went forward as seconds and witnesses. The two duelist each fired two shots without any injuries. They shook hands and agreed their problem was resolved. After the duel the parties were walking back and a man named Cuny called to Crain that it was a good time for them to settle their problem. Crain fired at Cuny but hit Bowie in the hip. Cuny and Crain simultaneously fired with Crain getting hit in the arm and Cuny died probably from a chest wound. The wounded Bowie raised to he feet and with his famous knife drawn charged Crain. Crain cracked Bowie on the head with a pistol butt and Bowie went to his knees. A fellow by the name of Wright drew his pistol and fired a shot at the dazed Bowie. When the shot missed Wright drew his cane sword, really, he had a sword in his walking cane. Wright stabbed Bowie in the chest but the thin blade stuck in his sternum.

Wright was trying to pull the sword out when Bowie grabbed his shirt pulling him down on the blade killing him instantly. Bowie was shot and stabbed again. Two Blanchard brothers shot at him and he was hit in the arm. When he was spun around by the shot he cut off part of one man’s forearm. Cary fired another shot at Bowie but missed. There were a few more shots, then the anti-Bowie fighters fled. So that is one thing the real Col. Jim Bowie did before he went to the Alamo to fight the Mexicans. Laurence Harvey is a British actor that played the role of American Col. William Travis. Harvey was born in Lithuania in 1928 but moved with his family to South Africa in 1934. As a teenager Harvey enlisted in the South African army during World War II. Harvey served in Egypt and Italy during the war and afterwards began acting in South Africa. In the late 40s he moved to England. His first film was House of Darkness (1948). He also tried stage acting but that did not end well. Harvey appeared very stiff and aloft on the screen as seen in The Alamo (1960).

After starring as Romeo in Romeo in Romeo and Juliet (1954), Warner Bros. gave him a lead in King Richard and the Crusaders (1954). Harvey returned to British films and had more flops than his. In Room at the Top (1959) Harvey was fantastic. With these kitchen-sink dramas he was in good company such as: Albert Finney, Tom Courtenay, Terence Stamp and Michael Caine. Harvey went back to Hollywood and was in Butterfield 8 (1960) with Elizabeth Taylor. The Alamo (1960) was released that same year. His role as Raymond Shaw in The Manchurian Candidate (1962) was amazing. He acted like he was brain-washed as he slept walked through his scenes. His scenes with Frank Sinatra are the reason people write about films. He has a few roles and honors through the 1960s but the 1970s say him taking any role he could get. Laurence Harvey died on November 25, 1973, from stomach cancer.

The Alamo (1960) Poster Frankie Avalon played the role of Smitty, one of the younger Tennesseans. Avalon came out of the Philadelphia music scene. He was originally a trumpet player and later a vocalist. He did well as a singer and had his biggest hit “Venus” in 1959. His first movie role, Jamboree! (1957), had come two years earlier. By 1960, his record sells were in freefall. He began taking small movie roles such as The Alamo (1960) and Drums of Africa (1963). However what made him an all-America boy idol were the beach movies he made with former Mousketeer Annette Funicello. The first of these was Beach Party (1963). The formula was simple surfing, girls in bikinis, inept bad guys, comedy, a lover’s quarrel, a up and coming rock band, and a few older stars such as Buster Keaton, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre and Vincent Price. These movies cost almost nothing to make and brought in loads of cash.

While there were over 30 films in this genre [ii] , Frankie and Annette only made eight of these films including the reunion film Back to the Beach (1987). This movie had Bob Denver reprising his television Gilligan’s Island character and someone finally said out loud the Frankie looks more like a Jersey kid than a surfer boy. Currently Avalon is still touring as a singer in revival acts. Patrick Wayne, the son of JohnWayne played the part of Capt. James Butler Bonham He was briefly covered in Episode 3 – McLintock (1963). Linda Cristal played the role of Flaca. Born in Argentina, Cristal was a star in Mexico and Italy. She is probably best known to American audiences as Victoria Cannon from television’s “The High Chaparral” 1967-1971. However, I remember as the labor agitator in Mr. Majestyk (1974) with Charles Bronson. She was several other television shows and movies. She returned to Argentina in 1985 and hasn’t acted since. Joan O’Brien was cast as Mrs. Sue Dickinson one of the Alamo survivors.

Joan started out as a singer but made the transition into movies. She may be best known as the over endowed Nurse on the pink submarine in Operation Petticoat (1959). She was only in a handful of other movies including one with Elvis and another with John Wayne . Her last movie was Get Yourself a College Girl (1964). Shortly after that she retired to raise her children and later she became an executive for Hilton Hotels. Chill Wills played the part of the Beekeeper. He was briefly covered in Episode 3 – McLintock (1963). Ken Curtis played the role of Capt. Almeron Dickinson. However the world will always know him as Deputy Festus Haggen in “Gunsmoke” 1959-1975. Born in Colorado Curtis was not similar to the characters he often played. His original career was as a singer for the Tommy Dorsey orchestra.

He started film work and was in a lot of westerns including some John Wayners such as The Quiet Man (1952), Rio Grande (1950), The Searchers (1956), The Wings of Eagles (1957), and The Horse Soldiers (1959). Other great films include The Long Gray Line (1955), Mister Roberts (1955), The Last Hurrah (1958), and Cheyenne Autumn (1964). Curtis died in 1991 at the age of 74. Denver Pyle played Thimblerig (the Gambler). Born in Colorado in 1920 Pyle kicked around a bit from drummer to oil field worker until he joined the Navy at the beginning of World War II. He was wounded at Guadalcanal and discharged in 1943. He started working as a riveter in an LA airplane factory. It was at this time that he began acting in amateur theater. He was spotted by a talent scout and ended up training with Maria Ouspenskaya, of The Wolf Man (1941) fame and Michael Chekhov.

Pyle made his film debut in The Guilt of Janet Ames (1947). In all Pyle had 260 film and television roles. He was on all of the big shows such as Gunsmoke and Bonanza. His relationship with John Wayne lead to his casting in (1959), The Alamo (1960), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), and Cahill U.S. Marshal (1973). Pyle played the Texas Ranger captured by in Bonnie and Clyde (1967) that spit in Bonnie’s (Faye Dunaway) face. He played hillbillies and mountain men in shows such as the “The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams” 1977-1978 and “The Dukes of Hazzard” 1979-1985 where he played the patriarch Uncle Jessie. He died of lung cancer at age 77 in 1997. Sammy Davis, Jr. asked John Wayne if he could play the role of Jim Bowie’s slave. The producers blocked it apparently because Davis was dating a white actress.

Aissa Wayne, the daughter of John Wayne played Lisa Angelica Dickinson. Her film career consisted of acting in four of her father’s films. Hank Worden played the Parson. He was briefly covered in Episode 3 – McLintock (1963). Olive Carey played Mrs. Dennison. She was covered in Episode 12 – Billy the Kid Versus Dracula (1966). Richard Boone played the small role of Gen. Sam Houston. This role was to go to John Wayne so he could concentrate on directing the film. However, financial backers insisted that he take the far larger role. Boone was born in LA and is said to be related to Daniel Boone. Boone drifted as a college student, boxer, and oil-field worked. When World War II came he joined the Navy. Following the war he used his G.I. Bill to study acting. He performed on Broadway and on television. His first film role was the Halls of Montezuma (1950). He began to be regularly cast in westerns and war films. He also tried other roles such as Pontius Pilate in The Robe (1953).

In 1957, he was cast as a cultured gunfighter Paladin in “Have Gun – Will Travel” 1957-1963. He continued to make movies through this time such as The Alamo (1960) and A Thunder of Drums (1961). In the mid-1960s Boone moved to Hawaii and slowed his working pace. In 1972, he moved to Florida and began working in television again. He was in a Jack Webb-produced series “Hec Ramsey” 1972-1974 based on a tough frontier sheriff who used modern methods to solve crimes. Boone died from throat cancer in 1981. John Wayne created the Batjac so he could make and direct this movie. His company not only had to pick up a lot of the tab they had to provide the star power of John Wayne . Many people are confused when they see a picture of the Alamo as it looks like a small church. At the time of the battle it was a large walled compound with the chapel just being a small part of the structure. Of course the Texan now call the chapel the sanctuary.

Visitors are required to remove their hats and no photography is allowed. A replica Alamo mission was used for filming. The set was built in Brackettville, Texas. It is reported to have 6 wells that provided 12,000 gallons of water a day, had 5,000 acres of horse corrals, and over a million and a quarter hand mad adobe bricks. This project, like many John Wayne projects, had a strong conservative slant. Freedom, republic, and liberty were major themes in this project. The script was strongly anti-communist with the Mexican being cast in the role of the bad guys although Texas was a Mexican state in rebellion possibly to access slavery that was outlawed by Mexican law. Other than a few names there is very little that is historically accurate in this film. So please get your history elsewhere. STORY At the beginning of the movie a group of riders led by Sam Houston (Richard Boone) arrive at San Antonio for a war conference. Col. Travis (Lawrence Harvey), Capt. Bonham (Patrick Wayne), and Capt. Dickinson (Ken Curtis) are present but Col. Jim Bowie is missing. Houston gives command to Travis and says he needs time to build an army.

Houston leaves and Travis returns to the Alamo Mission to work on defenses. Jethro, a slave goes and wakes the drunken Jim Bowie ( Richard Widmark ) who is sad he missed Houston. Bowie takes his mounted command to the Alamo. There is an immediate conflict between Bowie and Travis over tactics. Also Travis treats some friendly Mexicans poorly. The advanced party of Col. Davy Crockett ( John Wayne ) arrives consisting of Smitty (Frankie Avalon) and Preacher (Hank Worden). It is not long before Crockett, the beekeeper (Chill Wills), and the rest of the Tennessee Volunteers show up. The group heads to cantina and starts whooping it up. Travis comes to the cantina and is charmed by former U.S. Representative Crockett. Crockett says the men don’t know they are in Texas for a fight. When Crockett leaves the bar he see the beautiful Flaca (Linda Cristal). Flaca is being kept in town by a non-patriot American dandy. Crockett starts angering the man by interfering. When the dandy leave Crockett goes to see Flaca and gets all up in her business offering to help. She boots him.

When he leaves the dandy shows up with a gang. Crockett is barely hanging on when Bowie shows up to help. They become instant friends. They get drunk and commiserate about freedom and such. Flaca shows up and ask to talk to Crockett and rats out the dandy for hiding powder and ball. Crocket, Travis, Beekeeper, Parson, and Smitty liberate the supplies. A very large Mexican army is shown moving closer to the city. Crockett has Flaca write him a letter. When the group gets to the Alamo Crockett meets Mrs. Sue Dickinson (Joan O’Brien) and her children. They are waiting for a relief column from Goliad commanded by Fanning. Travis wants to fight a guerrilla battle. Crockett uses the faked letter to trick his men into fighting. At the last minute he confesses. The men want to fight anyway. He has Flaca’s stuff packed and he sends her to safety. The Tennesseans move into the Alamo. Shortly after the lead elements of the Mexican army arrives in town. They ride out under a white flag and demand they surrender or no quarters will be extended.

Travis fires the cannon and Crockett and Bowie start to respect him. The Mexican army about 6,000 starts deploying around the Alamo as they arrive. The main force is about 4 days behind. An American patrol comes in and says the Mexican’s have siege guns. Since the American can’t shoot as far they decide to make a raid on the Mexican cannon. They stuff the cannon and blow it to bits. Travis sends out cavalry to support the attack although he did not authorize it. Travis chews Bowie out but Crockett stops them from dueling. Bowie says he and his group are leaving at daybreak. That night Bowie gets a message that his Mexican wife has died. In reality it was two years prior. In the morning they find that the food is bad and making people sick. Crockett and Bowie lead a night raid and steal Mexican cattle. Crockett sends Smitty away to get a message to Houston thus saving his life. After they get the cattle back Santa Anna arrives. Santa Anna allows the women to leave. Mrs. Dickinson refuses to leave. Jocko tries to leave with his blind wife but she makes him stay.

The Mexicans make a frontal assault on the Mission and are driven back with heavy loses. Bowie takes some shrapnel in the leg during the attack. Capt, Bonham comes in with a message that the relief column has be attacked and killed. Travis does the line in the sand thing and everyone decides to stay with Bowie being the first to cross. Crockett’s men start crossing and he follows. Smitty makes it to Houston’s camp and delivers the message. Houston has no help to send to the Alamo. The men get all sad and speechafy. Bowie grants Jethro his freedom. He decides to stay. In the morning the Mexican hit all sides in force. Although the American take a large toll they can’t stop the assault, Bowie is hit and taken to the chapel. Travis is killed in hand to hand fighting. Crockett is killed after taking a bunch with him. Crockett blows the powder as he dies. Bowie fights with two pistols until he and Jethro are killed. With all the defenders dead the Mexicans release Mrs. Dickson and her children. She sneers at Santa Anna. Smitty watches from a hill top arriving too late to help. He dips his coon skin cap.

World-Famous Short Summary – Three manager end with a bad result Okay, folks, it is time to sign up for my email lists as the free ePub for subscribers will be released in early January. It’s around 200 pages, has 50 reviews that are cleaned and cross-referenced, and original artwork. If you want a copy it’s completely free to list members. So if you enjoyed this week’s show please tell your friends and it you really want to help drop over to iTunes to give me a review. If you want to comment, recommend a movie, or just say hi, follow the links in the show notes to my site. Beware the moors The Alamo (1960) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error A small band of soldiers sacrifice their lives in hopeless combat against a massive army in order to prevent a tyrant from smashing the new Republic of Texas.

Director: From $2.99 (SD) on Amazon Video ON DISC a list of 29 titles created 04 Jun 2011 a list of 26 titles created 21 Jun 2013 a list of 25 titles created 11 Aug 2014 a list of 33 titles created 27 Nov 2014 a list of 43 titles created 11 months ago Search for " The Alamo " on Amazon.com Connect with IMDb Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Won 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 8 nominations. See more awards » Videos Texas Ranger Jake Cutter arrests gambler Paul Regret, but soon finds himself teamed with his prisoner in an undercover effort to defeat a band of renegade arms merchants and thieves known as Comancheros. Directors: Michael Curtiz, John Wayne Stars: John Wayne, Stuart Whitman, Ina Balin A Union Cavalry outfit is sent behind Confederate lines in strength to destroy a rail/supply center.

Along with them is sent a doctor who causes instant antipathy between him and the ... See full summary » Director: John Ford A dramatization of the World War II Battle of Iwo Jima. Director: Allan Dwan During the Alaska gold rush, prospector George sends partner Sam to Seattle to bring his fiancée but when it turns out that she married another man, Sam returns with a pretty substitute, the hostess of the Henhouse dance hall. Director: Henry Hathaway 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5.6/10 X Col. Mike Kirby picks two teams of crack Green Berets for a mission in South Vietnam. First off is to build and control a camp that is trying to be taken by the enemy the second mission is to kidnap a North Vietnamese General. Directors: Ray Kellogg, John Wayne, and 1 more credit » Stars: John Wayne, David Janssen, Jim Hutton Ranch owner Katie Elder's four sons determine to avenge the murder of their father and the swindling of their mother.

Director: Henry Hathaway After the Civil War, Cord McNally searches for the traitor whose perfidy caused the defeat of McNally's unit and the loss of a close friend. Director: Howard Hawks Based on the 1836 standoff between a group of Texan and Tejano men, led by Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, and Mexican dictator Santa Anna's forces at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. Director: John Lee Hancock Cattle baron John Chisum joins forces with Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett to fight the Lincoln County land war. Director: Andrew V. McLaglen Wealthy rancher G.W. McLintock uses his power and influence in the territory to keep the peace between farmers, ranchers, land-grabbers, Indians and corrupt government officials. Director: Andrew V. McLaglen J.D. Cahill is the toughest U.S. Marshal they've got, just the sound of his name makes bad guys stop in their tracks, so when his two young boys want to get his attention they decide to rob... See full summary » Director: Andrew V.

McLaglen After the Civil War, ex-Union Colonel John Henry Thomas and ex-Confederate Colonel James Langdon are leading two disparate groups of people through strife-torn Mexico. John Henry and ... See full summary » Director: Andrew V. McLaglen Edit Storyline In 1836 General Santa Anna and the Mexican army is sweeping across Texas. To be able to stop him, General Sam Houston needs time to get his main force into shape. To buy that time he orders Colonel William Travis to defend a small mission on the Mexicans' route at all costs. Travis' small troop is swelled by groups accompanying Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett, but as the situation becomes ever more desperate Travis makes it clear there will be no shame if they leave while they can.

Written by Jeremy Perkins <jwp@aber.ac.uk> The Mission That Became a Fortress, The Fortress That Became a Shrine See more » Genres: 24 October 1960 (USA) See more » Also Known As: (director's cut) (1993 video release) | 140 min 3 Channel Stereo (Westrex Recording System) (5.0) (L-R) Color: Did You Know? Trivia John Wayne formed a close friendship with Laurence Harvey during filming. He later said Harvey should have received an Oscar nomination instead of Chill Wills . See more » Goofs The distinctive Alamo church sports upper windows that were not installed until about 15 years after the battle. There are other architectural inaccuracies, too. See more » Quotes Col. Davy Crockett : Step down off your high horse, Mister. Ya don't get lard less'n you boil a hog! If You Really Want to Know John Wayne, See This Legacy 16 February 2005 | by Bob-45 (Savannah, GA) – See all my reviews 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. 53 of 80 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes

Question: Who played Davy Crockett in the 1960 film ‘The Alamo’?
Answer: John Wayne