In 1836, a small band of soldiers sacrifice their lives in hopeless combat against a massive army in order to prevent a tyrant from smashing the new Republic of Texas.In 1836, a small band of soldiers sacrifice their lives in hopeless combat against a massive army in order to prevent a tyrant from smashing the new Republic of Texas.In 1836, a small band of soldiers sacrifice their lives in hopeless combat against a massive army in order to prevent a tyrant from smashing the new Republic of Texas.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 7 wins & 8 nominations total
- Dr. Sutherland
- (as Bill Henry)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaJohn Wayne formed a close friendship with Laurence Harvey during filming. He later said Harvey should have received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor instead of Chill Wills.
- GoofsColonel Travis was shot in his forehead, not in his chest as portrayed in the film, and died on the north wall early during the final battle.
- Quotes
Davy Crockett: Republic. I like the sound of the word. It means people can live free, talk free, go or come, buy or sell, be drunk or sober, however they choose. Some words give you a feeling. Republic is one of those words that makes me tight in the throat - the same tightness a man gets when his baby takes his first step or his first baby shaves and makes his first sound as a man. Some words can give you a feeling that makes your heart warm. Republic is one of those words.
- Alternate versionsAfter its LA premiere the film was cut by approximately 26 minutes. It wasn't until 1992 that these scenes were restored for release on LaserDisc and VHS. As of April 2007 all DVD releases feature the shorter general release version. The following scenes were added back:
- The original overture, intermission, theatrical trailer, and end themes;
- The "Jefferson Speech" extended between Col. Travis & Cap. Dickinson;
- The death of Emil Sand;
- Conversation between Col. Travis & Col. Bowie regarding Col. Fannin;
- The death of the Parson and Scotty;
- Crockett's prayer following Parson's & Scotty's death;
- The "Philosophical Debate" when the Alamo defenders talk about God;
- More complete "Gunpowder Raid" scene;
- Crockett's night with Senora;
- Senora's brief scene with a fleeing young woman;
- Birthday Party for Dickson's child;
- Bonham's original report to Travis;
- A slightly different Crockett death scene.
- ConnectionsEdited into How the West Was Won (1962)
- SoundtracksGreen Leaves of Summer
Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster
Music by Dimitri Tiomkin
Sung by an off screen chorus
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¨ .
- ma-cortes
- Jan 30, 2012
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $12,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $6,334
- Runtime2 hours 42 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 2.20 : 1
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