I struggled with this review since I first started writing film reviews for the Internet nearly three years ago. I watched The Alamo innumerable times and think I can now do this titanic film justice.

The Alamo (1960) is an epic picture, detailing the 13 days spent by the brave Texicans leading up to the fatal attack that wiped out the entire force of some 186 men.

Western star John Wayne was obsessed with the idea of filming the story of the Alamo and directing the film also. Over the years he tried to get backing but had no takers unless he got a proven director like John Ford to helm the production. Finally, Wayne put his money where his mouth was - he took it upon himself to produce, direct, and star in the film. When it became known he was scouting locations in Mexico to build his sets, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (custodians of the real Alamo) sent him a letter stating he better never show the film in Texas if he filmed it in Mexico. Problem after problem, nothing but problems!

Undeterred, Wayne took up the offer of Happy Shahan, to film on his 20,000 acre ranch in Bracketville, Texas. When Wayne asked to meet the builder, Happy introduced a Mexican immigrant who Wayne obviously had doubts about. “Do you think you can build the Alamo, Chato?” Wayne asked. In his broken English Chato replied, “Do you think you can make a picture, Mr. Wayne?” The tensions dissolved, everybody had a hearty laugh and the picture making began.

The Alamo impresses on several levels. Before we get into that it should be understood there are TWO Alamos - the theatrical release and the Director’s cut. By far the better version is the Director’s cut, even though it comes in at the phenomenal length of 3 hours and 22 minutes and is only available in VHS. The recent release DVD, which I’ve also screened is 2 hours and 42 minutes but manages to gut the picture of a lot of its charm. Get the VHS.

John Wayne did a remarkably good job of direction with his placement of the cameras and actors and transitions between shots. Watch Jim Bowie’s (Richard Widmark) reaction when he gets the letter in the hat to show fluid acting and camera work. Where Wayne may have had difficulty was in choosing how much to show. Wayne was fanatically loyal to his friends and all of them are in evidence. Wayne’s habit of spotlighting each of his friends for a big moment has the effect of stretching the film without adding much to the plot resolution. Chill Wills (Beekeeper) gets to sing a song, Ken Curtis (Captain Dickinson) gets to sing a song, Frankie Avalon gets to sing a song, the speechifying about Mom, Apple Pie, Religion, the Republic, the running joke about “it do,“ adds to the running time but really does not add much to the movie. I would say any flaws in the film could be excised with a judicious application of the editors scissors.

The Alamo is a sentimental film as you can see from the above. Beautiful Linda Cristal (Flaca) plays a basically throwaway part to allow Davy Crockett (John Wayne) to show his nobility and to speechify at length. After which, her heart securely won, he puts her in a wagon and sends her away to safety. The Dimitri Tiompkin score with “angel choir” like lyrics is overbearing to me but it was typical of the times. Think of High Noon or Gunfight at OK Corral for similar misguided use of music, still, these are considered classics for good reasons.

Wayne assembled an impressive cast including, Richard Widmark (Bowie), Richard Boone (Sam Houston), Laurence Harvey (Wm. Barrett Travis), Linda Cristal, Denver Pyle (Thimblerig), Chill Wills (Beekeeper), and many other familiar faces any western fan will recognize. The action sequences don’t get any better than this. The famed “cannon shot answer” by Travis (Harvey) is shown in all its glory. It caused a broken bone in Laurence Harvey’s foot when the gun recoiled and landed on his foot. Nonetheless, due to Harvey’s professionalism the scene was a keeper.

There is an excellent 42-minute documentary on the filming of The Alamo included on both the VHS and DVD versions of the film. If you like John Ford’s treatment of the western film, John Wayne's The Alamo will just fit your pistol.





Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening