In John Wayne’s directorial debut, The Alamo showcases the historic pivotal battle in 1836 against Santa Anna’s troops in the war for Texas independence fromMexico. As General Sam Houston (Richard Boone) is in need of as much time as possible to muster enough troops to defeat the Mexican army, he orders Col. William Travis (Laurence Harvey) to defend the Alamo, a small mission blocking Anna from reaching Houston. To help Travis, Jim Bowie (Richard Widmark) and Davy Crockett (John Wayne) arrive with their men ready to fight. As the men wait at the Alamo, they watch the Mexican army grow larger and with more firepower than they could ever hope to hold back. The decision becomes whether to flee or stay and die defending, and the men make the most honorable choice.
This film is done well from a visual standpoint. The sets, costumes and props all look historically accurate and quite elaborate. The large replica of the Alamo is absolutely wonderful and the small town set was reused in many later films. The action scenes are invigorating and exciting. From cannons blasting to bayonets stabbing, the violent action helps resonate the implications of this historic moment.
I believed what I was seeing, until the characters sucked the legendary history out of everything. You see, I believed their story, their situation and never doubted their heroics. I respected their honor and bravery as they decided to stay and fight. But when not in battle, as real people -talking, having conversations and showing a fleshed out human side- they become childish, and not leaders crucial to Texas Independence.
Part of me hates to say this, but at times this film makes it feel like these men are in the middle of a fantasy cowboy camp hosted by John Wayne. I want to, but it was hard for me to respect these men. They had fistfights in the middle of the road for no reason. There was not much order or structure and everything seems to be about being the manliest man there. It felt like they were boys for two hours and men for forty minutes. That’s not a good ratio, Duke.
Much of the time, there is a reverence missing from these men. We hold the the tale of the Alamo as an important example of sacrifice, bravery and honor. I understand these men are human, only human and will be imperfect. But there was something missing from these characters. I wanted them to make me feel like this was more important than just playing Cowboys and Indians. Some of the leading characters explain how important this is, but it wasn’t shown well through most of the film, and that’s a huge fatal flaw.
John Wayne poured his own money into The Alamo and made it a real labor of love. His goal was to bring to life a proud moment in American history about sacrifice for a greater good and standing firm against overwhelming odds. In 1960, I think that went over well with audiences, but today, I don’t know if most of us can take it as seriously as Wayne wanted us to. However, it still holds up as a great Western.
Simply put, if you’re a John Wayne fan or love westerns, maybe you will love The Alamo and should forget my harsh words. But if you can’t stand shotty character development, petty moments fueled by excess cowboy testosterone or the thought of a real life hero like Davy Crockett reduced to the Duke, then skip it. Mr. Wayne, thank you for the valiant effort in bringing an important piece of American history to life, but you look ridiculous.
“Step down off your high horse, Mister. Ya don’t get lard less’n you boil a hog!”
The Best Picture Project 
Thanks for confirming my impression of this film, which I’ve never had any desire to see.
Memo to Mr. Wayne: You can get yourself a director’s chair, but that doesn’t make you John Ford, any more than a ten gallon hat would have turned Ford into the Duke.
(And I’m not automatically rejecting the idea of actors becoming directors — I just watched The Town and I really wish that Ben Affleck would quit acting and just focus on writing and directing, which he’s so much better at. Gone Baby Gone showed that there is a real good actor in the Affleck family, but it isn’t Ben.)
This was, pure and simple, a political statement by John Wayne (just recall Wayne’s speech about “republic…I like the sound of the word!” Now I don’t entirely disagree with the philosophy espoused, but why make it all seem so sappy? Also, this is a monument to excessive Oscar campaigning by stars and studio which sometimes pays off in multiple nominations. To be fair, it deserved nominations for Cinematography, Sound, and Music, especially “The Green Leaves of Summer”, a beautiful song. BUT that’s it and I could go ballistic when I think that this film took the place that could, and should, have gone to PSYCHO.
I haven’t seen this film since I was much younger, and the one thing I remember is that it is very loooong. I like your observations on it, though, and it sums up my rather cynical attitude to a lot of this type of western film.
I love reviews which praise films as they deserve, but at the same time, its nice to read one where a movie is just ripped into. Kudos!
Folks, it was only a movie. But in these times maybe it’s a movie that has to shown again to remind us of where we came from and what it took to get here. There is nothing wrong about waving the flag.
Applause to you, Steve. Wayne’s Alamo was produced in 1959/1960; it was the Eisenhower/Kennedy/Camelot era; the public was no less movie keen as it is today, but it was far less cynical. Wayne’s characters in this movie, true, lean more towards the human lightside than the heavy heroic, but maybe we can learn something by witnesssng an example of something made before American virtue was tightly shrouded in political correctness and historical skepticism.
Just worked my way to this one. I was prepared to loathe this film (Oh god, John Wayne tried directing) but I actually quite liked it. If I’m being critical, there is a decent amount of filler. I would have chopped the love story bit with Flaca in particular. But it was actually pretty damn well made, the score by Tiomkin is pretty great, and I was most surprised by the lead actors. Wayne is his usual self, but I think Laurence Harvey and Richard Widmark in particular are very good. And although there’s some flag waving going on here for sure, I have to give props to Wayne for making this far more even-handed and respectful than I would have expected.
“Psycho” should have been nominated, yes, but it would be unfair to use that as a complaint against THIS film which should be judged on it’s own merits.
I love this film and it is very enjoyable I have visited the Alamo and it is now surrounded by hi rise buildings which tends to lose its original appeal but it still is the Alamo a place we’re heroes showed valour and bravery against impossible odds
Well done Duke it’s was a great effort and one that will last forever
I looked forward to seeing the movie when I was 8 years old. I was so excited the night before that I stayed awake all night. I had always been fascinated by the story and remain so today. I know now of course that the film is largely fantasy created to make a point and not provide a history lesson. As it was, I loved it when I was a kid and love the memory of it today. I have spent years researching the true story and it is amazing, but I’ll always remember the Alamo that Wayne created. flaws and all.