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IMDbPro

The Alamo

  • 19601960
  • PassedPassed
  • 2h 42m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
16K
YOUR RATING
John Wayne, Richard Widmark, and Laurence Harvey in The Alamo (1960)
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.
Play trailer3:24
3 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Adventure
  • Drama
  • History
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.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
16K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • John Wayne
  • Writer
    • James Edward Grant(original screenplay)
  • Stars
    • John Wayne
    • Richard Widmark
    • Laurence Harvey
Top credits
  • Director
    • John Wayne
  • Writer
    • James Edward Grant(original screenplay)
  • Stars
    • John Wayne
    • Richard Widmark
    • Laurence Harvey
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 141User reviews
    • 48Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 7 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos3

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 3:24
    Official Trailer
    The Alamo
    Trailer 3:11
    The Alamo
    The Alamo
    Trailer 2:32
    The Alamo

    Photos190

    The Alamo (1960)
    Laurence Harvey in The Alamo (1960)
    Laurence Harvey in The Alamo (1960)
    John Wayne in The Alamo (1960)
    Richard Widmark in The Alamo (1960)
    John Wayne in The Alamo (1960)
    Laurence Harvey and Ken Curtis in The Alamo (1960)
    John Wayne, Richard Widmark, and Laurence Harvey in The Alamo (1960)
    John Wayne and Richard Widmark in The Alamo (1960)
    Richard Widmark in The Alamo (1960)
    The Alamo (1960)
    John Wayne in The Alamo (1960)

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Wayne
    John Wayne
    • Col. Davy Crockettas Col. Davy Crockett
    Richard Widmark
    Richard Widmark
    • Col. Jim Bowieas Col. Jim Bowie
    Laurence Harvey
    Laurence Harvey
    • Colonel William Barret Travisas Colonel William Barret Travis
    Frankie Avalon
    Frankie Avalon
    • Smittyas Smitty
    Patrick Wayne
    Patrick Wayne
    • Capt. James Butler Bonhamas Capt. James Butler Bonham
    Linda Cristal
    Linda Cristal
    • Flacaas Flaca
    Joan O'Brien
    Joan O'Brien
    • Mrs. Sue Dickinsonas Mrs. Sue Dickinson
    Chill Wills
    Chill Wills
    • Beekeeperas Beekeeper
    Joseph Calleia
    Joseph Calleia
    • Juan Seguinas Juan Seguin
    Ken Curtis
    Ken Curtis
    • Capt. Almeron Dickinsonas Capt. Almeron Dickinson
    Carlos Arruza
    • Lt. Reyesas Lt. Reyes
    Jester Hairston
    Jester Hairston
    • Jethroas Jethro
    Veda Ann Borg
    Veda Ann Borg
    • Blind Nell Robertsonas Blind Nell Robertson
    John Dierkes
    John Dierkes
    • Jocko Robertsonas Jocko Robertson
    Denver Pyle
    Denver Pyle
    • Thimblerig (the Gambler)as Thimblerig (the Gambler)
    Aissa Wayne
    Aissa Wayne
    • Lisa Angelica Dickinsonas Lisa Angelica Dickinson
    Hank Worden
    Hank Worden
    • Parsonas Parson
    William Henry
    William Henry
    • Dr. Sutherlandas Dr. Sutherland
    • (as Bill Henry)
    • Director
      • John Wayne
    • Writer
      • James Edward Grant(original screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      John 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.
    • Goofs
      Colonel 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 versions
      After 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.
    • Connections
      Edited into How the West Was Won (1962)
    • Soundtracks
      Green Leaves of Summer
      Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster

      Music by Dimitri Tiomkin

      Sung by an off screen chorus

    User reviews141

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    If You Really Want to Know John Wayne, See This Legacy
    Corny? At times long-winded and stilted? Touching, poignant and inspiring? John Wayne's "The Alamo" is all of these things; and, of this, I'm certain John Wayne would agree. For, unlike the lessor men who make up most of Wayne's critics, Wayne was fair. This is clear even in "The Alamo," in his depiction of Santana's army. Wayne believed in the basic nobility of men, much like those heroes depicted in "Rio Bravo". That his life and memory is treated more like that of Marshal Sam Kane's in the Wayne-despised "High Noon," or even in Wayne's own "The Shootist" is testimony that Wayne HOPED men were better than they are.

    I'd never seen the full-length version of "The Alamo" until it was released on VHS in the early 90s. I realized then the greatest scene in the movie is "The Birthday Party," which was cut from the general release version of the film. NOTE: For those that don't remember, during the 50s and 60s, Hollywood would release long, big budget movies as reserved seat attractions. The film would show at a "roadshow" theater for several months before general release. Since "roadshow" theaters showed the movies only twice a day, running time was restricted pretty much to the patience of audiences. However, when the same film was shown general release, time restrictions became important, so films were cut to maximize theater owner profits. It still happens today, except now the "director's cut" reaches the home audience via DVD. In any event, the short version of "The Alamo," while impressive, is still a pale shadow of the Wayne's original cut. Most importantly, to see "The Alamo" is to understand John Wayne as a man, not an idol or actor. Wayne generously gave virtually all the big scenes to his costars. Certainly, Lawrence Harvey, Richard Widmark, Ken Curtis, Joan O'Brian and Richard Boone get better scenes. Also certainly, Chill Wills, Jester Hairston (Jethro) Hank Worden (Parson) and Veda Ann Borg (Blind Nell Robertson) have showier ones than Wayne. The scenes between Wayne and Linda Crystal in the first hour seem out of a different movie, though neither Wayne's nor Cristals are as big or showy as the ones I've mentioned. One thing I hope to suffer again was the "reunion" video attached to the VHS. The same old garbage about Wayne not being able to direct actors (by his SON, no less), that he really wasn't a very good director (Wayne's action scenes will match or beat anybody's in Hollywood). Especially rude was Richard Widmark's idea of impressing Wayne by insisting Wayne call him "Richard" and not "Dick" during their first meeting. Widmark came across as a pompous ass. However, the rudest cut was from Ken "Festis" Curtis. Curtis never had a better, more respectful part in ANY movie, but he didn't miss an opportunity to try to soil Wayne's memory.

    Forget that "The Alamo" is a topnotch, if not entirely historically accurate historical western. Forget that Wayne directs action better than his mentor, John Ford, or that Chill Wills got an Oscar nomination, the only of his career, thanks to this "lousy director/actor". Remember this, Wayne risked EVERYTHING on "The Alamo" and lost. He was broke for years afterward. Wayne's continued success on the "A" list was by no means assured. He was 54 years old and raising a second family. Wayne had recently been swindled by a business manager and recently lost a best friend to suicide (Grant Withers). Wayne had to take a role in "The Alamo" to secure financing, and "The Alamo" is probably STILL the biggest movie ever directed by one of its stars. During filming, Wayne had to contend with interference from mentor John Ford and a murder investigation of one of his actresses. That same year Wayne's house was severely damaged by fire. Yet Wayne took continued carping by lessor men, those "artists" in Hollywood who ridiculed his acting and his directing. I'm sure they sneered in satisfaction when "The Alamo" failed to break even. However, it's reported the movie eventually made a small profit, probably part of it through sale of "Alamo Village" in Bracketville, Texas.

    Wayne continued to make fine movies for sixteen more years after "The Alamo." In 1969 he was finally awarded by his peers an Oscar for "Rooster Cogburn." However, by then, Wayne had P.O.d them again with "The Green Berets". War service or not, NOBODY can say the man ever ran from a fight.

    I'm not sure I would have liked John Wayne had I known him. I'm not a drinker and I'm not obsessively patriotic about this country, particularly since we started picking fights in the Middle East. However, as Wayne proved with Lawrence Harvey and Rock Hudson, Wayne didn't have to agree with someone's lifestyle or even their personal views to treat them with respect. I most certainly would respect him better than the "friends" he gave jobs in "The Alamo;" at least, those who slandered him.

    Oh, and by the way, "RICHARD Widmark never won an Oscar."

    I give "The Alamo" a solid 8.
    helpful•72
    34
    • Bob-45
    • Feb 16, 2005

    FAQ1

    • Is there a longer version available than the one that can be found on DVD?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 27, 1960 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Alamo
    • Filming locations
      • Alamo Village - Highway 674, Brackettville, Texas, USA
    • Production companies
      • Batjac Productions
      • The Alamo Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $12,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 42 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.20 : 1

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