The Alamo

Rating:
Summary: This movie is great
Review: I liked this movie because I love the story of the Alamo. I do suggest to teachers or parents that this movie is very graphic with people being blown to pieces and people dying, but teaches kids the dramatic story of 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)

Rating:
Summary: Behind the Adobe Walls.
Review: "The Alamo" (1960) is a typical product of its times and John Wayne's cherished personal project.
The Duke has performed in countless films fleshing the "Far West Hero" till he transformed that character in his own "acting trade mark". So is not a great surprise that the Alamo's epic fascinated him.
Wayne was director, producer and actor in this film and he succeeds delivering a high class product of the genre.

The story is well known and was a perfect raw material for Wayne's ethos: a small bunch of tough frontier men resisting the overwhelming assault of their foe. They will sacrifice all to win time for their cause, just as Leonidas at the Thermopiles; and just as the Spartans they will leave an unforgettable mark in History.

The cast is outstanding: an inspired Richard Widmark as Jim Bowie, Wayne giving one of his top notch performances as David Crockett and Laurence Harvey as Colonel Travis, head the company.
The battle scenes are spectacular and the deployment and charge of the Mexican army, with their fancy uniforms, produce a great visual impact.
Dimitri Tiomkin's musical score and Paul Webster's "The Green Leaves of Summer" remain as one of the best of all times.

A great film that we'll be enjoyed by Wayne's, Western, Historical and Action movies buffs!
Reviewed by Max Yofre.


Rating:
Summary: The Alamo
Review: This movies is great. It has great sound and it also has very very good picture. But when it is dark it dosen't look very well. But still good.

THE DVD HAS TWO FEATURES AND THEY ARE:

1.A 40-MINUTE DOCUMENTARY

2. AND A ORIGINAL THEATRICAL TRAILER

THIS DVD HAS OVER 43 MINUTES OF BONUS FEATURES

Rating:
Summary: The Alamo
Review: I will try not to repeat what others have said, I simply agree that it is the best Alamo movie to date, and a masterpiece of cinema. As I live in Europe, I was able to buy and watch the British VHS release of the movie in 1993, which was 203 minutes long and contained good scenes that were deleted from the movie for reasons that I do not know. I wish this version, which is no longer available in Britain, could be released on DVD. I hope the decison-makers at MGM get other requests like mine...

Rating:
Summary: A GREAT WAR EPIC!
Review: John Wayne's "The Alamo" is an excellent film. It features stunning cinematography, epic battle sequences, superb storytelling, and fine performances by the likes of Wayne, Laurence Harvey, Richard Widmark, Frankie Avalon and Richard Boone. Despite a few quibbles, the movie is very true to what happened during those "thirteen days of glory at the siege of Alamo."
The DVD not only features excellent picture and sound, but also includes an informative and entertaining documentary on the making of this grand film. Any John Wayne fan, or fan of historical epics, will definitely want to keep this one in their film collection! Movie/DVD Grade: A-

Rating:
Summary: The Alamo
Review: This is definitely one of John Wayne's best movies. The all star cast really brings this epic Texas story to life. It is too bad that when it was released, Hollywood ignored it. Well, the American public did also, thus almost bankrupting John Wayne.

Rating:
Summary: The Duke's "Alamo" is still the best, despite its flaws...
Review: As a child I thought this was one of the greatest films of all time, but as I watch it as an adult now I see the movie's many flaws: having a British actor play Col. Travis; the often corny dialogue, especially John Wayne's cheesy, vomit-inducing speeches (what was he thinking?!?); the many historical innaccuracies, & the whole romance subplot with the Duke & the Mexican girl which ends 1/3 of the way into the movie. Well, a lot of this is forgivable. After all, who doesn't want to see John Wayne playing Davy Crocket? The large-scale battle scenes are still very impressive & are what make this so watchable today. This DVD is NOT the uncut version but if it were up to me I would've edited a lot more scenes. The picture quality of the dvd is great & there's a documentary & trailer included. There will never be a 100% accurate Hollywood movie made about the Alamo, but for pure entertainment value this one is hard to beat. The incredible score by Dimitri Tiomkin adds so much to the film's emotional aspects. I can only hope that a special edition of "The Alamo" will be released someday. Until then, however, you're still getting your money's worth by buying this dvd.