Rating: 
Summary: An idealistic view of history.
Review: Every schoolchild learns about the Alamo in the same idealistic way that much of America's rich history is taught. In other words, the characters involved and the actions that occurred are polished to a glossy sheen, creating heroes and legends but not, in many cases, an accurate portrayal of actual events. The Alamo, starring, directed by and produced by John Wayne, takes a similar approach, romanticizing many of the details to the point that, while it makes an epic movie, it distorts history. The pacing of the movie is terribly slow at times, focusing on the battle itself only in the last half hour or so of a 160-minute film. (The DVD version I watched is the short version, chopping down the 190-minute full-length cut.) The battle scenes feel rushed, despite the undeniable drama, which leaves you wondering why so much time was spent on chatter, in-fighting and minor incidents like a cattle raid and sabotage mission. On the other hand, the film deserves major kudos for its massive recreation of the Alamo itself, built specifically for the film. The set is impressive and realistic. The scope and vision are magnificent, and it's hard not to feel a swell of patriotic pride as you watch the final courageous moments of these heroic characters. Unfortunately, the execution of this film needed a firmer hand. ... Also included on the DVD is a 40-minute documentary detailing the ambitious production. Many of the people interviewed for the documentary candidly admit Wayne was in over his head on this project -- refreshing if surprising honesty.
Rating: 
Summary: NOPE! - TRY AGAIN!
Review: John Wayne so firmly believed in "The Alamo" that he went out on his own to direct this lumbering fictional account of the slaughter of 187 men at the Texas landmark. The film is a sprawling and unabashed flag waver that quite simply fails to get the patriotic juices flowing. Wayne plays Davy Crockett as something of a Disney-fied fun-loving frontiersman. Laurence Harvey needs less starch in his britches as the rigid Col. William Travis. Ricahrd Widmark as Jim Bowie is left to veer between Wayne and Harvey in a performance that can only be described as unsympathetic. Richard Boone, Chill Wills and (oh, you gotta be kiddin' me) Frankie Avalon are in it too. Frankie doesn't sing. No expense was spared in this literal brick-by-brick recreation of the Alamo. One would do well to remember that!
THE TRANFER: No good! Start over! The laserdisc contained the original director's cut of "The Alamo". This DVD is the standard theater release version. There's no entrance, exit or intermission music and the aspect ratio is misframed at roughly 2:25:1. Colors are generally rich and vibrant but during scenes taking place at night they tend to become a muddy, grainy mess. The scene in the saloon is riddled with age related artifacts and a faded camera negative that looks as though it were dragged by four wild horse through the Texas deluge. The audio is 5.1 but strident in spots and remarkable muffled in others.
EXTRAS: The Making Of The Alamo featurette - but it has been edited - presumably because, like the film, you just can't put that much info on one side of a DVD. So why didn't MGM do a 2-disc or flipper disc for this film?!?! Go figure.
BOTTOM LINE: Perhaps with the pending remake of "The Alamo" getting ready to hit theaters we'll see MGM go back to their vaults for a revisit to this Western saga.
Rating: 
Summary: A true Duke classic
Review: The Alamo is a great movie that deserves to be released in its director's cut format with almost 30 minutes added. The movie tells the story of the famous battle and siege of the Alamo where 185 Texans fought an army of 7,000 men. Director and producer John Wayne does not tell the most accurate story of the battle, but that is beside the point. This is a movie that presents the courage and honor of the defenders of the Alamo very well. Even the Duke admitted this was not very accurate. The battle scenes, especially the final assault, are some of the best ever put on the screen. Dimitri Tiomkin's score is a classic as well as "The Green Leaves of Summer." For a great movie telling the story of the battle of the Alamo, with some embellishments, check out The Alamo. John Wayne is great as Davy Crockett, the hunter/Congressman who fought at the Alamo. He brings a certain wit to the part. Richard Widmark is also very good as famous knife fighter, Jim Bowie, who is constantly fighting with the Alamo's commander, William Barett Travis, played by Laurence Harvey. The Alamo also stars Richard Boone, Patrick Wayne, Frankie Avalon, Ken Curtis, Chill Wills, Denver Pyle, Joan O'Brien, and countless other Wayne regulars. The DVD offers the widescreen presentation, a making of documentary, a collectible booklet, and a theatrical trailer. I would love to see a DVD release of the director's cut, but the only copy is semi-destroyed. If possible, find the Laser Disc uncut version or the VHS version. I recommend this DVD for the documentary although the movie is still great. Too bad there is not a Director's Cut DVD release. For an exciting and very enjoyable movie with the Duke and many more, check out The Alamo!
Rating: 
Summary: Research your history....
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: one of the best movies ever made on the Alamo
Review: as far as historical reference, it's not a documentary, but this movie is awsome. i've been watching The Alamo since i was a little kid. i pratically have the entire movie memorized in my head. the music is great in film, the guitars and mexican sounding music is relaxing. my favorite part as music goes is when the Mexicans are surrounding the Alamo and all you hear is the drums for like 5 minutes. Sounds awsome. as far as the movie goes, this was a huge production and the Alamo still stands today! The real Alamo of course is in San Antonio, but the Alamo for this movie stands in Bracketville, TX, where other movies have been made. John Wayne stars, produces, and directs this one of a kind film. truly a great film by a great man. of course, in every Wayne movie, there is always a love story of some sort, and the Alamo has a short love story. The Alamo centers around 185 Texans and fellow men fighting for their independence from Mexico and General Santa Anna, ruler of Mexico. the movie stars Richard Widmark (Jim Bowie) and Laurence Harvey from The Manchurian Candidate as Colonel William Barrett Travis. great movie and great cast. the actual battle scene rocks. tons of explosions and action. there are 2 sad parts in the movie.
the first sad part is the day before the battle. all the men are together talking about life, because they know tommrrow they are going to die. the background music sets the right tone and i like Davy Crocket's quote during this scene. one of the guys asks him "What ya thinkin Davy?" and John Wayne (Davy Crockett) replies, "Not thinking, just remembering." the second sad part is after the battle is over, and Lady Dickinson is leaving with her child and the boy. all the Mexican Soliders are standing around, there are some bodies of the men on the ground, and then Santa Anna makes his soliders stand when she's leaving. he also takes off his hat as a sign of respect. what i liked about this movie is that John Wayne makes both sides look galiant and brave. the men of the Alamo know they are going to die, but they still stay to fight for what they believe in. then he makes the Mexican soilders look honorable twice. the first time, Santa Anna asks that all women and children be evacutated before he attacks, and this takes place.
the second instance is right after the first attack, which happens right after the women and children are released. the Tennessian boys are standing around and one of them says "even though i was killing them, i was proud of them. men dying for what they believe in." the DVD features include about a 40 mintue feature on the making of the Alamo. this is where you really get to see how much The Alamo ment to John Wayne and just how loyal of a man he really was. The Alamo is a classic that everybody should watch at least one time in their life. great film that to me, will always be remembered as John Wayne's greatest work.
Rating: 
Summary: Remember the Alamo.
Review: Growing up I didn't see many John Wayne movies. However, I did watch THE ALAMO on cable with my family and I was blown away by it. The film made me appreciate the brave men who died at the Alamo and all the ideals they fought to preserve. I was amazed that a rag-tag army of less than 200 was able to withstand an assault against an army of several thousand that had far more firepower and military might. THE ALAMO was a labor of love for John Wayne; he not only acted in it, but directed and produced as well. Though the film has a few flaws, e.g. it moves rather slowly, the dedication by Wayne of making a great movie in honor of the heroes of the Alamo shines through every scene. The sets are fantastic and it is amazing that Duke and company actually rebuilt the Alamo and San Antonio as realistically as possible. The acting is wonderful, even admist a lot of wordy discussions. The film is full of morals and is rathering inspiring. THE ALAMO may not be the best picture John Wayne ever made. Nevertheless, it is still a good movie that has something for the whole family. Watching the film can perhaps lead to some great books on THE ALAMO and spark an interest in history as it helped do with me. The DVD version of the movie contains the theatrical (162 minute) release of the film, not the much longer director's cut that many people prefer watching. The only extras on the disc are the film's trailer and a 40 minute documentary entitled "John Wayne's THE ALAMO". The documentary is kind of informative and inlcludes several interviews with cast and crew members who were still alive.
Rating:
Summary: Fun to watch
Review: 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.
Be sure to watch the retaking of the Alamo in the movie "Viva Max."
Rating:
Summary: Frankie Avalon in one of his 1st movie roles
Review: The movie is good and with Frankie Avalon in one of his 1st movie roles.
Rating:
Summary: Still Waiting For the 2-Disc Special Edition
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A few good scenes, mostly nonsense
Review: The script of this movie is awful. There are so many historical inaccuracies. There's also a lot of schlock in the movie. Frankie Avalon didn't disgrace himself, but why was he in the movie, anyway? Smells like pandering to the younger generation! I couldn't believe The Duke as Davy Crockett. I always thought of him as Duke, rather than Crockett. You can't superimpose one big legend on top of another. Richards Widmark and Boone were good in their performances. Laurence Harvey as Travis was terrible! That accent was all over the place. Finally, in his last big speech he abandoned it altogether, sounding more like Laurence Olivier. This movie was long and bloated. I kept checking my watch. I'm thankful that I don't have to sit through the director's cut! Skip the first two-thirds of the movie and check out the last third, and you'll be just as well off!
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