Product Details

• Actors: Sterling Hayden, Anna Maria Alberghetti, Richard Carlson, Arthur Hunnicutt, Ernest Borgnine
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Republic Pictures
• VHS Release Date: January 1, 1998
• Run Time: 110 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6300208621
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,145 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite movie, June 14, 2002

By 

Edward J. Erler Jr. (Albuquerque, NM, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Last Command [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I saw this movie by chance in 1955 when I was 14 years old. In the next few years I saw it at least 25 - 30 more times. It sparked an interest in the Alamo than has never waned. I have seen every movie available about the Alamo and I still think the Last Command is tops over them all, including John Wayne's epic with it's great battle scenes. A well-cast movie, with Sterling Hayden as the perfect Jim Bowie. Richard Carlson plays a strong Travis, confrontational with Bowie, yet not as over-the-top obnoxious as he was portrayed by Lawrence Harvey in John Wayne's production. Arthur Hunnicutt is without question the best "movie" Davy Crockett ever. The movie shows both the Texan and Mexican points of view, and J. Carrol Naish does a good job in the role of Santa Anna. The other supporting actors are also well cast - look for Slim Pickins, John Russell and Jim Davis in early minor roles. It is probably the most accurate of the Alamo movies in spite of the fact that there is ALWAYS Hollywood poetic license in EVERY movie based on real people and events. The critics just need to back off that angle - it's just the way it is. A fast-paced film that should satisfy any action-adventure fan. To this day The Last Command is my favorite movie of ALL TIMES - not the best mind you, but still my favorite. I have probably seen it over 200 times and never get bored watching it. This movie should definitely be released on DVD!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rousing, if Modestly Budgeted Alamo Epic!, January 5, 2003

By 

Benjamin J Burgraff (Las Vegas) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Last Command [VHS] (VHS Tape)

'The Last Command' is a film with a better backstory than the film itself! First batted around Republic Pictures as a potential vehicle for John Wayne, the production was put on the back burner when Wayne decided he wanted total creative control, and decided to produce and direct his own version, with a budget Republic couldn't match.

Republic DID, however, have an arsenal of talent available, and a shooting script, and eventually brought in veteran director Frank Lloyd, who had just come off a ten-year hiatus with 'The Shanghai Story', in 1954. Sterling Hayden, fresh from the cult classic 'Johnny Guitar', and a featured role in Fox's lavish 'Prince Valiant', signed to play Jim Bowie ("I needed the money to refit my boat," he joked). Richard Carlson, whose 'Creature from the Black Lagoon' had just been released by Universal (becoming a big hit) was tapped to play Alamo commander William Barret Travis. Ernest Borgnine, whose 'Marty' was garnering rave reviews (and would earn him an Oscar) took on the showy supporting role of Bowie adversary/friend Mike Radin and starlet Anna Maria Alberghetti, in her first non-singing role, became the female lead. Two veteran character actors rounded out the major cast: J. Carrol Naish, as a sympathetic yet decisive Santa Anna, and, in an offbeat but inspired casting move, bearded Arthur Hunnicutt as a rustic Davy Crockett (who would very nearly steal the film!).

The production was very modestly budgeted, so much so that the number of extras serving as the Mexican army was limited, but director Lloyd and cinematographer Jack Marta were old hands at making more out of less, and with some judicious editing by Tony Martinelli, the illusion of thousands of Mexican soldiers was achieved. Set design was minimal, as well, and the famous 'look' of the church/fortress was often achieved through mat paintings.

Scored by the legendary Max Steiner, with a theme sung by Gordon MacRae, 'The Last Command' seemed to teeter at the edge between 'B' movie and 'A' status; ultimately, the pedestrian script, by Sy Bartlett and Warren Duff, did the movie in, as there was too much time spent on an unnecessary love triangle, which slowed much of the film to a crawl. Despite an unforgettable final battle, audiences avoided the film, and it quickly faded from sight.

Unfortunately, John Wayne didn't learn from 'The Last Command', and he added a love story to his 'Alamo', with the same lethargic result; Crockett's explosive demise (historically inaccurate, but rousing!) must have impressed him, as well, as he staged an even bigger version of it in his film.

'The Last Command' is a curio, but is enjoyable, for the most part, and the spectacular final assault makes it a must for any action fan's collection!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent, March 27, 2003

By 

O. Rios (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Last Command [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The Last Command, which mostly revolves around the story of Jim Bowie is an excellent movie on the Battle of the Alamo.

only 2 flaws to the last command.

1-they never show the alamo ala John Wayne's alamo.
they only show a part of the dome and the front doors.
so kinda stinks.

2-the battle scene is only 5 minutes long. i know cause i counted it. :)

but i will say this, the battle scene from the last command proably might be one of the most popular battle scenes of all the alamo movies. it's battle scenes have been used in The Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory and in Texas.

excellent movie.
if you are an alamo fan, then you will surley enjoy The Last Command.