The Alamo (1960)

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... See full summary »

Director:

John Wayne

Writer:

James Edward Grant (original screenplay)

Stars:

John Wayne, Richard Widmark, Laurence Harvey

Won 1 Oscar. Another 7 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Wayne	...	Col. Davy Crockett
Richard Widmark	...	Jim Bowie
Laurence Harvey	...	Col. William Travis
Frankie Avalon	...	Smitty
Patrick Wayne	...	Capt. James Butler Bonham
Linda Cristal	...	Flaca
Joan O'Brien	...	Mrs. Sue Dickinson
Chill Wills	...	Beekeeper
Joseph Calleia	...	Juan Seguin
Ken Curtis	...	Capt. Almeron Dickinson
Carlos Arruza	...	Lt. Reyes
Jester Hairston	...	Jethro
Veda Ann Borg	...	Blind Nell Robertson
John Dierkes	...	Jocko Robertson
Denver Pyle	...	Thimblerig (the Gambler)

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.

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Plot Keywords:

army | texas | mexican | mission | combat | 

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Taglines:

They stood firing until they could stand no longer...156 MEN AGAINST A RAGING ARMY OF 7000!

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | History | War | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

24 October 1960 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alamo

Filming Locations:

Alamo Village - Highway 674, Brackettville, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$7,910,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Batjac Productions, Alamo Company, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

167 min 203 min (director's cut) (1993 video release) 140 min (1967 re-release) 192 min (roadshow)

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sammy Davis Jr. managed to obtain a copy of the script and asked John Wayne if he could play the straight role of a Negro slave. Wayne considered him but eventually declined Davis' offer. Davis recalled, "There were a lot of influential Texans investing in the film and they didn't like the idea that I was seeing [his future wife] May Britt at the time. They disapproved of a man of color going out with a girl who was white, though Duke [Wayne] was upfront with me about it and I respected him for it".

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Goofs

In the battle sequences mobile trailers are clearly visible.

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Quotes

[the Alamo garrison is informed that no reinforcements are coming]
Jim Bowie: Well, that's it. I'm taking my men out of here now. Cutting through to the north. You coming?
Davy Crockett: Seems like the better part of valor.

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Connections

Featured in John Wayne's 'The Alamo' (1992)

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Soundtracks

"Green Leaves of Summer"
Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster
Music by Dimitri Tiomkin
Sung by an off screen chorus

User Reviews

The Academy was blatantly unfair to this epic

I have read many of the comments about this movie and have researched the actual event as extensively as I can. I find it difficult to understand how people could deem this movie categorically inaccurate in any way. It is indisputable that no one really knows the exact way the main characters died although Bowie in the infirmary with a bad leg is, perhaps, the only clear inaccuracy. Susannah Dickinson (one of the 3 survivors) testified that she saw Crockett's body in the compound within 20 minutes of the end of the battle with his "peculiar hat" next to him. This makes it unlikely that he was lined up and executed. It is also indisputable that these men could have run, but chose to stay, clearly understanding their probable fate. Reading Travis' letter to Houston just days before the final battle can leave no doubt of the heroism of these men. Is it not, therefore, infinitely more believable that perhaps Crockett did discuss the meaning of the word "Republic" with Travis (possibly the most emotional scene in the movie)? John Wayne researched the actual event and location meticulously. The actual original plans of the mission were used to ensure the Alamo Village was correct. Costumes were identical to those depicted in every book of Mexican military history I have seen.

I have seen "The Apartment"-winner of the 1960 best picture academy award. Its clear that Groucho Marx and the rest of the voters made a decision to scoff at Wayne in particular and patriotic historical epics in general. For, in my opinion, "The Apartement" is inferior. The Alamo should have won 5 Oscars (best score; best song "Green Leaves of Summer"; best supporting actor-Chill Wills; best movie and best sound).I also think Laurence Harvey should have been nominated for best actor.

I do agree with all of those that lament the deletion of certain scenes from the DVD version. How could MGM leave out the scene of the 32 Tejanos arrival at the Alamo. It is central to the movie and the actual historical event. The death of the Parson should also have been included.

It will always be one of my favorites.