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.

Director:

John Wayne

Writer:

James Edward Grant (original screenplay)

Stars:

John Wayne, Richard Widmark, Laurence Harvey

Won 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Wayne	...	Col. Davy Crockett
Richard Widmark	...	Col. Jim Bowie
Laurence Harvey	...	Colonel William Barret 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:

dynamite | cannon | siege | epic | explosion | 

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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:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

27 October 1960 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Alamo

Filming Locations:

Alamo Village - Highway 674, Brackettville, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$17,262,932

Company Credits

Production Co:

Batjac Productions, The Alamo Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

162 min 203 min (director's cut) (1993 video release) 140 min (1967 re-release) 202 min (roadshow)

Sound Mix:

3 Channel Stereo (Westrex Recording System) (5.0) (L-R)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally to save on expenses, director John Wayne planned to shoot the film in Mexico. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas (the custodians of the real Alamo) sent him a letter that if he pursued that course of action, he had better not show the film in Texas. Consequently Wayne found an amenable landowner, Happy Shahan, who allowed the production to film on his 20,000-acre ranch in Bracketville, Texas. When Wayne asked to meet the builder, he was introduced to a Mexican immigrant. A rather dubious Wayne asked him, "Do you think you can build the Alamo?" to which the Mexican replied, "Do you think you can make a picture, Mr. Wayne?"

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Goofs

At the end of the film, when Lisa Dickinson is being led away from the Alamo on a mule, a large smudge appears on her left cheek when she is being led past Santa Anna that was not present when she was placed on the mule.

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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.

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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.

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Connections

Version of The Last Command (1955)

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Soundtracks

Tennessee Babe
Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster
Music by Dimitri Tiomkin
Sung by an off screen chorus

User Reviews

If you love the uncut version, then DON'T buy the new DVD

I love this movie as much as anyone, but the recently released DVD is inexplicably almost half an hour shorter than the version of this film that has been in release on video and laserdisc for years. Why, oh why MGM/UA did this, I don't know, but I know I am not keeping my copy of it. I got worried when this new version didn't have an overture...but I can live without that. However, when Richard Widmark's first scene occurred and over half of it was missing, I could only groan.

Shame on you MGM/UA. This movie is more than a classic for a good many of us. You should release the cut that you have been putting out for years now, the one that is 3 hours, 10 mins.