Just what I expected

Best movie ever!

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

For anyone who deems this movie accurate, it has many small inaccuracies. But it has one big inaccuracy that someone from Texas will recognize.It talks about Fannin's men being ambushed and not coming. The Alamo fell on 3/6/1836 and Fannin's men were trapped between Goliad and Victoria on March 20, 1836 and then executed on March 26, 1836. Fannin was portrayed as the relief to the Alamo and they were never planned to be.When the soldiers stormed Santa Anna at San Jacinto, their battle cry was "Remember the Alamo, Remember Goliad". They were referring to two massacres and in the order that they happened.

Released in 1960 and produced/directed by John Wayne, "The Alamo" is a Western about the 1836 siege and fall of the famous Spanish mission-turned-fortress by Santa Anna's army of a couple thousand disciplined troops. The Alamo is defended by a ragtag assortment of roughly 200 soldiers, militia men and volunteers, including the famous frontiersman & politician Davy Crockett, loose cannon Jim Bowie and by-the-book militarist Colonel William Travis, the latter two regularly butting heads. Sam Houston (Richard Boone) is on hand as a significant peripheral character. As early as 1945 it was Wayne's goal to film a picture about the Alamo and James Edward Grant was hired to write the screenplay, but Wayne and the president of Republic Pictures, Herbert Yates, clashed over the estimated high cost and the fact that Yates only wanted John to star in the movie, not produce & direct. Wayne left Republic over the feud while the studio took the script and released 1955's "The Last Command," which I've never seen. Meanwhile, John started his own production company with Robert Fellows to forge "The Alamo," which came out five years later and naturally shares many elements of "The Last Command." The first two-thirds of "The Alamo" is a steady build-up culminating in the thrilling and utterly savage attack on the Alamo in the final act. The movie is surprisingly evenhanded with the events (considering it was 1960) and works despite inaccuracies, like the death of Bowie's wife, which actually took place a YEAR before Santa Anna's siege, not to mention the final assault, which took place in the dark of the pre-dawn hours. In the movie's defense, it does show the attack taking place at first light, which would make it only about 2-3 hours off from when it really happened. Wayne obviously made the decision to shoot in the daytime so viewers could actually SEE what was going on, rather than deal with the numerous negatives that come with shooting in the dark. As far as the story goes, it's all about the characters because, if we don't care about the protagonists, the final assault falls flat, despite the awesome action. Thankfully, Wayne as Crockett, Richard Widmark as Bowie, and Laurence Harvey as William Travis deliver the goods, not to mention the script. All three are phenomenal in their own unique way. They're doomed to die, of course, but when their deaths occur they're both shocking and moving. This version is just all-around more entertaining than the dreary 2004 version, although that rendition earns points for being way more realistic and giving Santa Anna considerable screen time, which this version doesn't do at all. Not to mention, the 2004 film ends with the humiliating defeat of Santa Anna & his army in a mere 18 minutes just six weeks after the fall of the Alamo. The rallying cry of Sam Houston & the Texian Army was naturally "Remember the Alamo!" Basically, Wayne filmed the Spirit of the Alamo with everything that goes with it, like big historical speeches, while the newer film tries for a more accurate telling.But keep this in mind: No movie has ever been made, or will ever be made, about the Alamo that's thoroughly accurate, except for the obvious gist of things. Why? Because ALL of the defenders were killed. Even the Mexican eyewitnesses who were there disagreed on the major events that took place. For example, there are those who claim Davy Crockett was killed in the assault, as shown in this version, while others say he survived the battle along with 5-6 others only to be captured, lined up, and executed, as depicted in the 2004 film. So any movie you see about the Alamo is going to contain a lot of conjecture.Dimitri Tiomkin's score is a dramatic, thrilling and tragic multifaceted piece that captures the slow build-up, eventual battle and aftermath. Carter Burwell's score for the 2004 version is mediocre by comparison; while certainly adept and adequate, it puts a dreary overcast over the proceedings. The short version of the film, which is the only one I've seen, runs 161 minutes and was shot in Brackettville, Texas. The long version runs 40 minutes longer, but 10 minutes of that consists of (unnecessary) overture, intermission, and exit music, which leaves 30 minutes of deleted scenes. Naturally, some of these scenes help make sense of certain sequences in the shorter version, such as a fight in the church where the arms are discovered and the leader of the non-patriots is killed; that is, the man who tried to force Mexican beauty Flaca (Linda Crystal) to marry him. In the short version he just seems to disappear into thin air. Another scene that should've never been cut is the death of the Parson (Hank Worden) because it ties into the earlier conversation that Crockett had with him: When Flaca leaves and the Parson asks Davy if he ever prayed Crockett responds that he never had the time. In Parson's death scene Crockett takes the time. Another significant cut scene involves the birthday party of Captain Dickinson's daughter, which I've heard is moving.Aside from Linda Crystal in the female department, Joan O'Brien appears as stunning blond Sue Dickinson, one of the surviving non-combatants who supplied one significant account of events inside the fort. GRADE: Borderline A- or B+ (7.5/10)

I was born on the 113th anniversary of the Alamo's fall, so this momentous event, not only in local Texas history but in American history, has been of interest to me from the very start of my existence in this world. My brother, Allen Wiener, authored two different, excellent books about the Alamo, so, beyond my noteworthy birth date, the appeal of the subject may run deep within my blood as well.I watched the full 3 hour and 22 minute version on TCM, and my interest in the action here never waned, even having stayed with it after 4 am, which is WAY past my normal bedtime, and having known the ultimate outcome from the very start. Furthermore, I remained wide awake, not an easy fete for a man of my advanced age.Much has been written about historical inaccuracies in this film, but I found many of them to be trivial when balanced against the much more important themes of courage to sacrifice one's life for the cause of freedom, the ability to maintain faith in the face of a brutally violent death, and the personal, final acceptance of the inevitable reality of death itself. As with any work based on an extraordinary historical event, the film motivated me to discover the true historical facts on my own.As the producer, director, and star of this highly engaging film, much of the credit goes to John Wayne. His passion for the subject and for its value to the history of our nation is evident from beginning to end. The replica of the Alamo, painstakingly reconstructed by Alfred Ybarra, has been acclaimed by several knowledgeable historians as to its authenticity. By itself, this accomplishment should never be underestimated, as it has. The musical score of Dimitri Tiomkin ("High Noon", "High and the Mighty") was magnificent. The heartrending tune and lyrics of "The Green Leaves of Summer", the central theme song, emphasized the precious value of the lives that were about to be sacrificed by the defenders for a cause that they believed to be greater than life itself. In addition, the mariachi inspired music that surged whenever the Mexican opponents were present effectively suggested a clash of two cultures, not only two conflicting national interests.I was also impressed by the manner in which the Mexican opponents were portrayed, not as stereotyped, cardboard characters but as men who were courageous in their own right and who believed in their own cause. The presence of their own families, including women and children, on the battlefield depicted them as equal human beings who placed their lives on the line just as bravely as the Texians did.As to the acting, the performance of Laurence Harvey as Lieutenant Colonel William Travis, the commander at the Alamo, was exceptional. Much has already been written about his undeniable South African/British accent. For the first few moments, I was conscious of it, but it faded fast behind the intensity of the character and the action that revolved around him. The expression on Harvey's face when Jim Bowie (Richard Widmark) finally demonstrated his decision to stay and fight by physically standing with Travis was a very special moment in American cinema, at least to me. Until observing Harvey here, I mostly witnessed him typecast as a disagreeable or brooding character ("Room at the Top", "Butterfield 8") or, even worse, as a miserable, brainwashed psychopath ("Manchurian Candidate"). As the psychologically tormented Travis, Harvey exhibited the full range of his acting ability. As to Widmark, I have read that he was very displeased on the set with just about everything, mostly with the director himself, and his obvious annoyance, in an odd way, seemed to contribute substantially to his fine performance as the often irritated and frustrated Bowie. While others have written of the superficiality of Crockett's character, to the contrary, I was impressed by John Wayne's portrayal of a man who outwardly appealed to the masses while also possessing an inner intellectual depth, especially considering all of the other aspects of the film with which Wayne had to contend during its production. No wonder the Duke was seen smoking so much throughout its making. The pressure exerted upon him by the investors alone must have been quite intense, even for a man of the Duke's legendary tough stature. And how does one direct oneself? I always wondered about that. Although I am not an expert of war films, I thought that the battle scenes were very credible, especially the final confrontation in which 257 free spirited, undisciplined Texians were overwhelmed by thousands of trained, uniformed Mexican troops, moved to action by the rousing roll of relentless, military drums."Twas so good to be young then,To be close to the earth,Now the green leaves of summerAre calling me home."

Big-budgeted and interesting rendition about the mythic mission El Alamo with impressive battles and all-star-cast . Epic western upon the state of Texas's fight for independence in 1836 . The usual band of diverse personalities including Davy Crockett (John Wayne) , Jim Bowie (Richard Widmark) , Colonel William Travis (Laurence Harvey) defend a small fort against very big Mexican raiding party commanded by general Santa Anna . Previously meeting final tragedy , they contend with each other and finally understand the meaning of life and come to respect each other . It's until the spectacular crushing spotlight of total slaughter hoping arrival of Sam Houston (Richard Boone) when the movie comes alive at all . It was a troubled issue but with millions dollars budget weighing heavy in the conscience of the producer/screenwriter James Edward Grant and also producer/director John Wayne , helped by John Ford , led to big success and achieved the wished box office . Lavish production features an impeccable musical score by the classic Dimitri Tiomkin , including the famous strains of 'Deguello' and colorful cinematography by William H. Clothier , John Ford's usual ; besides has an incredible number extras for the Mexican army .Film is correctly based on historic events . The stalwart but tragic defense has become one of American history's most often repeated legends,although historical research has revealed a few facts that go unmentioned. For instance, Sam Houston , commander in chief of the Texas forces,never felt that the crumbling mission could stand up to a siege,and ordered frontiersman Jim Bowie to destroy . He didn't ,however, and rescinded the order and sent attorney turned colonel William B.Travis to defend it. The force that remained in the mission the date the siege began,is estimated at between 182 .Of these less than 20 were actually Texans,the rest including Bowie and another frontier legend,Davy Crokett were volunteers . Early all of them believed that reinforcements were only a short time away . Santa Anna Launched a pre-dawn attack . To the strains of ¨deguello¨a battle march indicating that no quarter would be given,or no prisoners taken,some 1800 Mexicans troops stormed the fort . They were thrown back by the cannon and rifles of the defenders,they rushed again,and were repulsed a second time.Eventually Santa Anna sent another wave of troops who broke the outer defenses and forced the Texans to retreat,fighting hand to hand . When the fighting was over,there were no survivors among the defenders . The myth that the garrison fought to the last man ,however isn't quite accurate,since the evidence indicates that Davy Crockett and several others were captured and possibly tortured , then executed . That they died bravely has never been disputed. William Travis who at least according to legend, invited all who would stay and die with him to cross the line in the dirt, fell near a cannon at the north wall . And Jim Bowie,already deathly ill from a sickness that had recently claimed wife and children,fought from his sickbed near the main gate . Like many others among the defenders Bowie was armed with the formidable hunting knife named for him. The legendary defense served as a rallying point for the beleaguered Texas . Although Santa Anna , who lost at least 600 of some 3000 troops against a force of less than 200 , referred as a small affair , the valor of the defenders gave the surviving Texan troops something to remember and thus they did,six weeks later at San Jacinto , but a new battle cry had been added to the annals of American history : ¨Remember the Alamo¨ .