The Battle of the Alamo lasted 13 days - from February 23rd to March 6th, 1836 - and is still considered a symbol of the fight for freedom in the USA today. It was mobilized by Texans who wanted to fight for their independence. At that time the country was still Mexican territory. But more and more white settlers populated this area north of the Rio Grande. As part of the Texas War of Independence, the battle took place between a 7,000-man Mexican force under President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and the heavily outnumbered opponents with around 200 soldiers who were entrenched in Fort Alamo, a small mission station.
"Alamo" was John Wayne's only directing work . And he prepared this film for years. In an interview he admitted "I wish with all my heart that the Battle of the Alamo remains a symbol and proves that the love of freedom is not dead." Or as Davy Crockett, John Wayne's character in the film, once said, "Without freedom, man is as dead as a beaver-skin hat." First-time director Wayne wanted to tell a tale of larger-than-life heroes, taking a stand for what was right, and being willing to die for that cause. It was a firm belief in these truths that pushed Wayne into investing over ten years of his life, and much of his personal fortune, in telling this story, and 'The Alamo' was, and is, a triumph.
Wayne used thousands of Mexicans as extras in the film, which gives the viewer a far greater sense of the magnitude of the siege. The 155 minute long film is never boring.
John Wayne is also allowed to fall in love with Linda Cristal and shows with historical accuracy the chronological sequence of this unequal battle, which is a suicide mission from the start. So that General Houston can raise an army of more than 1,000 men for the fight for freedom in Texas, Colonel Travis is supposed to defend the Alamo mission in San Antonio together with Colonel Jim Bowie (Richard Widmark). Both men are fundamentally different. Travis, a perfectionist and counterpart - Bowie sometimes gets drunk and doesn't care about military precision. Soon the well-known Congressman Davy Crockett joins them with his 23 brave men. They do come from Tennessee - but the argument that Mexico could take over other states after Texas is valid. The brave men become death-defying and ultimately madmen. This is all wrapped up in wonderful pictures.
The battles, particularly the final one, as row after row of Mexican foot-soldiers overrun the pockets of defenders, are unforgettable! Each character is allowed to die heroically, and is given a lingering moment to make a final gesture (Travis breaks his sword over his knee as Mexicans surge past, Bowie fires his unique gun, a brace of pistols, and swings his famous knife, Crockett, bayoneted to a door, still manages to pull free, and torch the magazine). The film's climax, alone, would make the film a 'must' for any action fan. I say this is essential viewing for all John Wayne fans , I am so glad I took the chance to discover this epic film. As usual (I still do not get this) I had to turn to foreign countries to find this gem on Blu-ray at least it is region free ! 8/10.
"Alamo" was John Wayne's only directing work . And he prepared this film for years. In an interview he admitted "I wish with all my heart that the Battle of the Alamo remains a symbol and proves that the love of freedom is not dead." Or as Davy Crockett, John Wayne's character in the film, once said, "Without freedom, man is as dead as a beaver-skin hat." First-time director Wayne wanted to tell a tale of larger-than-life heroes, taking a stand for what was right, and being willing to die for that cause. It was a firm belief in these truths that pushed Wayne into investing over ten years of his life, and much of his personal fortune, in telling this story, and 'The Alamo' was, and is, a triumph.
Wayne used thousands of Mexicans as extras in the film, which gives the viewer a far greater sense of the magnitude of the siege. The 155 minute long film is never boring.
John Wayne is also allowed to fall in love with Linda Cristal and shows with historical accuracy the chronological sequence of this unequal battle, which is a suicide mission from the start. So that General Houston can raise an army of more than 1,000 men for the fight for freedom in Texas, Colonel Travis is supposed to defend the Alamo mission in San Antonio together with Colonel Jim Bowie (Richard Widmark). Both men are fundamentally different. Travis, a perfectionist and counterpart - Bowie sometimes gets drunk and doesn't care about military precision. Soon the well-known Congressman Davy Crockett joins them with his 23 brave men. They do come from Tennessee - but the argument that Mexico could take over other states after Texas is valid. The brave men become death-defying and ultimately madmen. This is all wrapped up in wonderful pictures.
The battles, particularly the final one, as row after row of Mexican foot-soldiers overrun the pockets of defenders, are unforgettable! Each character is allowed to die heroically, and is given a lingering moment to make a final gesture (Travis breaks his sword over his knee as Mexicans surge past, Bowie fires his unique gun, a brace of pistols, and swings his famous knife, Crockett, bayoneted to a door, still manages to pull free, and torch the magazine). The film's climax, alone, would make the film a 'must' for any action fan. I say this is essential viewing for all John Wayne fans , I am so glad I took the chance to discover this epic film. As usual (I still do not get this) I had to turn to foreign countries to find this gem on Blu-ray at least it is region free ! 8/10.