John Wayne produces, directs and stars in this "bigger than life" (Life) chronicle of one ofthe most remarkable events in American history. At the Alamoa crumbling adobe mission185 exceptional men joined together in a sacr... more »ed pact: they would stand firm against an army of 7,000 and willingly give their lives for freedom. Filmed entirely in Texas, only a few miles from the site of the actual battle, The Alamo is a visually stunning and historically accurate celebration of courage and honor. Co-starring Richard Widmark, Laurence Harvey and Chill Wills, and garnering seven OscarĀ(r) nominations*, it is a "truly memorable movie spectacle" (Leonard Maltin). *1960: Picture, Supporting Actor, Cinematography, Sound (winner), Editing, Score and Song« less
Kathy H. (kate54) from SAINT LOUIS, MO Reviewed on 5/30/2013...
I love John Wayne. This is one of my favorite ones, Except when everyone gets killed. I loved the movie.
0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Kelly A. (mrsjja) from DIXON, IL Reviewed on 4/28/2011...
great movie, good quality, hubby is a huge john wayne fan so he loved this surprise!
Rebecca S. (redrose) from MARIPOSA, CA Reviewed on 7/21/2010...
Director John Wayne took pains to make this movie historically correct as possible. It is not the typical Wayne western, but rather a very good historical drama.
David P S. from MOLENA, GA Reviewed on 10/9/2009...
Good movie but did not like the ending
0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Anna M. (aruth) from CHIPPEWA FLS, WI Reviewed on 12/10/2008...
John Wayne plays Davey Crockett.
1 of 6 member(s) found this review helpful.
Gladys E. (mousie) from SWANNANOA, NC Reviewed on 9/23/2008...
Enjoyed it... Great job by John Wayne... starred in, directed & produce!!
Duane S. (superpoet) from FORT WORTH, TX Reviewed on 2/9/2008...
I saw this a long time ago and it is just as wonderful as ever.
Movie Reviews
Not the Director's Version
Michael S. Grant | Toluca Lake, CA United States | 12/19/2000
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I want to warn others not to make the mistake I did. This is not that beautiful director's cut which was issued on Laser and VHS. If that is what you are looking for, WAIT. I am completely in awe why the studio would release the trimmed down version of this film on DVD!Please please release the 202 minute version."
DVD Disappointment
Ken Andrew EPM Production | West Linton, Scotland | 01/20/2002
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Having the VHS version of this wonderful movie with surround sound and the director's cut I looked forward to the DVD being released. Unfortunately, the distributors have short changed all of us here by releasing the short version of the film with 2 Channel Stereo and no Overture, Intermission or Exit Music. Come on guys, look at what the VHS offers in content. Surely the DVD should be just as good or better!!!!!"
THE DVD, A DISAPPOINTMENT
David Mckee | Redwood Valley, CA USA | 03/30/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Since I already have the laser disc (full directors cut),I could hardly wait for the DVD. I was shocked to find that the DVD was the standard theater release, with the entrance,intermission, and exit music missing, not to mention the aspect ratio was not 2:35 to 1, but around 2:25 to 1, and even the Making Of The Alamo featurette had been edited. What a disappointment! During the final battle the sound dropped noticably. It is ashamed with such an excellent print available to MGM, that they decided to release this version. As a John Wayne fan, I have always enjoyed the movie, even though historically it is highly inacurate. Music is tops by Dimitri Tiomkin, and supporting cast are excellent. John Waynes Alamo still stands to this day in Bracketville Texas, and can be visited. All left standing as a monument to his effort."
"Have to say I was totally appalled by the way MGM UA released this classic movie on DVD. Have the Director's Cut on VHS and it's a completely different experience, fleshing out many scenes which appear abrupt in the edited version, especially between Flaca and Crockett, Bowie and Travis - and relating to Travis himself. The death of The Parson (Hank Warden) which is a very moving scene, does not appear, and the viewer especially misses out on Dimitri Tiomkin's Overture, Entre Acte, Intermission and Exit Music. Also missing is the birthday sequence, the fight in the Church over gunpowder doesn't make any sense, and Flaca seems to make a very sudden exit. Even the TV versions run longer than this!
Of course, even with these unacceptable drawbacks, the movie remains Duke's immortal homage to freedom and The Republic.
The DVD also includes a featurette "John Wayne's The Alamo", which will be very interesting to all students of Wayneasia and of this movie in particular.
I would suggest that John Wayne fans and Clubs should petition MGM to release this classic properly as it was meant to be seen, perhaps even with the addition of "Spirit of the Alamo", which Duke also did that year, and give us, the viewing public what we are entitled to - complete versions of all our beloved movies, and not a cut rate edition. Surely the studio could come up with some archival footage re the Premiere of the Picture, maybe even an expanded two disk set - just like they have with other notable Hollywood epics.
The Director's cut on VHS is the one with five stars"