Rating: 
Summary: All out effort from Wayne
Review: John Wayne produces, directs, and stars in this re-telling of the story of the Alamo. He brings out the essence of the moral- that one must often fight for what one believes in (freedom), and he shows the sacrifice made by men who hardly knew each other, but were willing to die in order to buy time for the reorganization of the armies further north. Just a great, non pretentious film, and Lawrence Harvey, the great English actor is cast in an unforgettable role, along with Richard Widmark.
Rating:
Summary: Good Movie
Review: This movie was the first John Wayne movie that I ever watched. It is most definately one of my favorites. Besides, of course, John Wayne, I like Richard Widmark's part in this movie. I encourage this movie to anyone who likes: Duke, Duke's westerns, or just a long and good movie.
Rating: 
Summary: BEWARE!
Review: Hey everyone, this VHS copy of John Wayne's "THE ALAMO" is listed as 202 minutes, which would be the restored roadshow version. However, after buying it I discoverd it is only the cut 161 minute version of the film!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: THE DVD, A DISAPPOINTMENT
Review: Since I already have the laser disc (full directors cut),I could hardly wait for the DVD. I was shocked to find that the DVD was the standard theater release, with the entrance,intermission, and exit music missing, not to mention the aspect ratio was not 2:35 to 1, but around 2:25 to 1, and even the Making Of The Alamo featurette had been edited. What a disappointment! During the final battle the sound dropped noticably. It is ashamed with such an excellent print available to MGM, that they decided to release this version. As a John Wayne fan, I have always enjoyed the movie, even though historically it is highly inacurate. Music is tops by Dimitri Tiomkin, and supporting cast are excellent. John Waynes Alamo still stands to this day in Bracketville Texas, and can be visited. All left standing as a monument to his effort.
Rating:
Summary: Overlong, preachy meladrama
Review: "The Alamo" was a vanity project for Wayne that he spent nearly fourteen years trying to get made. Unfortunately, he was so busy trying to push his conservative political agenda that he failed to make an effective movie. At over three hours long, it is meant to be an epic. Unfortunately the climatic battle lasted only an hour in real life and what led up to it was a long slow siege. The film might have been more effective if Wayne had built up the tension during the siege. Instead, his characters are too busy gving windy speaches and otherwise just occupying screen time. And as a villian, Santa Anna is completely colorless rather than being the classic movie bad guy that he should be. Overall, a would be classic that fell well short of the mark. Nice cinematography, though.
Rating:
Summary: "Does this mean what I think it do?" It do!"
Review: To paraphrase a line from "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance," when the truth won't support the legend, show the legend. John Wayne's personal labor of love to make this film is well known. Let's anticipate any comments about historical accuracy by calling it artistic license and move on. The authentic reproduction of sets and the thrilling large-scale battle scenes distinguish this film. The movie tends to ramble at over three hours in length, but an enthusiastic performance by a veteran cast makes the time pass quickly. Only Frankie Avalon in his over-sized "skunk-skin" cap looks out of place. He should run, not walk, back to the beach party. John Wayne portrays Davey Crockett as a clear-headed and deeply passionate patriot who waxes eloquent on such topics as republic, liberty, and battling tryanny. The film's unabashed appeal to patriotic duty and manly honor make it a beguiling relic of a by-gone era. The cliches may seem quaint, but you can't take anything away from their spirited presentation. Arguably, it reflects a WWII type fervor rather than the cynicism that later developed. It may explain why many professional critcs did not like this film when it was released in 1960. The legendary incident of Travis standing alone and the other Alamo defenders eventually standing with him is a high point of this movie. Since the script never misses a chance to exploit folklore, we're surprised that Travis never literally draws a line in the sand. Following the lead of his mentor, John Ford, filmmaker Wayne nicely blends humor and sentiment. Music that is by turns stirring and touching is used effectively. Action-adventure fans will enjoy the blood and thunder as the Mexican army attacks the makeshift ramparts manned by the outnumbered defenders. The cappuccino drinking "Sleepless in Seattle" crowd should skip this one. ;-)
Rating:
Summary: The Alamo
Review: I've seen many movies that John starred,for example,THE STAGECOACH, RIO BRAVO,THE LONGEST DAY,EL DORADO,THE HORSE SOLIDERS,THE MAN WHO SHOT THE LIVERTY VALANSE,THE WAR WAGON,and so on. ButI think this movie ,THE ALAMO,is the best movie that John starred.I didn't like John Wayne very much until I saw this movie,actually.But I came to like him thanks to this movie. And the song,The Green Leaves Of The Summer,composed Dimitri Tiomkin is also impressive.I think Dimitri Tiomkin was a great composer.HIGH NOON,THE GUNFIGHT AT THE OK CRRAL,Mr.SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON,RIO BRAVO,55DAYS AT PEKING,is also impressive. In many ways,this movie is a masterpiece and has to be left in the future.
Rating:
Summary: JOHN WAYNE'S THE ALAMO
Review: HELP NEEDED FROM ALL YOU ALAMO FANSCan anyone let me know where I can get hold of a copy of the book titled "John Wayne's the Alamo : The making of the epic film" by Donald Clark & Christopher P Anderson. Many Thanks
Rating: 
Summary: SPELLING MISTAKES LAST REVIEW
Review: I would like to put in my two penny worth or as you yanks say two cents worth. They have been numerous reviews on the DVD version, all complaining about the same matter - Why MGM did not issue the full 202 mins version?. The John Wayne (God bless his sole) Alamo has always been my all time movie. As a fourteen year old lad in 1960, I had the privilage of shaking John's hand at the London Premier and even remember John giving our good old queen bess a saddle as a gift. Surely this DVD deserves the full directors cut and cannot understand why this version was not put to DVD in the first place. Is it possible that MGM will issue the full version on DVD at a latter date in order that we pay for the DVD that is currently on offer and that pay for the full version. I will keep the Full VHS version and only play the documentary on the DVD which l rate 5 stars. Does anyone out there know if the full version will be available? COME ON MGM - You should be ashamed of yourselves. Remember the Alamo.
Rating:
Summary: Great Wayne Film
Review: "The Alamo" released in 1960, represents Wayne at his best. Duke and action/adventure film aficionados will love this fictional account of the fight for Texas independence at the Alamo in 1836. Both funny at times and moving, one gets a bit of a feel for the seriousness of this historical event, especially with the great musical score. I ditto remarks by other reviewers on the entertainment value of this great film. I include here a couple of warnings. I suggest you get this film in the 2 tape VHS format, as the DVD version is missing some scenes, as stated by other reviewers. Also, if you are looking for historical accuracy, you'll have to go elsewhere to find it, perhaps the History Channel's VHS "The Battle of the Alamo", as well as other documentaries out on VHS. On this subject, Leonard Maltin has a short review on "The Alamo" DVD jacket stating; "historically accurate account of the Alamo battle, where 189 defenders faced 7,000 enemy soldiers." It seems Mr. Maltin has been reviewing too many films and not reading enough history books. There were some 1,800 Mexican soldiers who participated in the charge, of which some 600 were killed by the defenders. For history buffs, "The Alamo" could be a jump off to a great reading and discovery adventure. How, who and what really happened at the Alamo? What became of James Bowie's black slave Joe? What became of Susannah Dickinson and her infant daughter Angelina, known as "The Babe of the Alamo", after being released by Santa Anna? What became of Santa Anna? What about the bodies of Davy Crockett and James Bowie? What became of James Bowie's Mexican wife Ursula Veramendi? So many great and interesting stories. On this note I recommend the book "Duel of Eagles" by Jeff Long, no doubt available at amazon.com. It is a factual easy to read account of the events leading to, and the battle and the aftermath, answering the above questions. John Wayne's "The Alamo" could open up some great reading. I highly recommend the film. (on 2 tape VHS)
|
