Product Details

• Actors: Carlos Arruza, Frankie Avalon, Veda Ann Borg, Joseph Calleia, Linda Cristal
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• VHS Release Date: October 3, 2000
• Run Time: 167 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (137 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00004WIBE
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,651 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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  #29 in	Video > Westerns > Epic
  #65 in	Video > Westerns > Western Stars > John Wayne

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
John Wayne drew on what he learned from John Ford, Howard Hawks, and practically everyone who directed him during his long career when he made his own directorial debut on this labor of love. The Alamo is a sprawling, unabashedly patriotic epic of the sacrifice made by 187 men defending the Alamo from Santa Ana's bigger and better equipped army. Wayne stars as Col. Davy Crockett, the straight-talking, fun-loving frontiersman turned senator, with Laurence Harvey as the stiff, by-the-book Col. William Travis and Ricahrd Widmark as the legendary Jim Bowie who bristles under Travis's military protocol. The mix of regular army soldiers, Texican irregulars, scouts, and civilians makes for a volatile melting pot, but they all come together in a time of crisis in this metaphor for Wayne's heroic vision of America. Wayne spared no expense in this, one the last of the old fashion Westerns, re-creating the Alamo in exacting detail and corralling a cast of Western icons and old friends, including Richard Boone, Chill Wills (who earned an Oscar nomination), Hank Worden, Denver Pyle, Ken Curtis, and Olive Carey, in addition to teen heartthrob Frankie Avalon and Wayne's son Pat. Even old pal and spiritual godfather John Ford lent a hand shooting second-unit footage. Wayne is no Ford, but despite himself (and a talky script), he delivers an entertaining film full of intriguing characters and excellent action scenes, earning the film an Oscar nomination for Best Picture in 1960. Remember the Alamo! --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not the Director's Version, December 19, 2000

By	Michael S. Grant (Toluca Lake, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Alamo (DVD)

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.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heroes One and All, September 15, 2003

By	L. Shirley "Laurie's Boomer Views" (fountain valley, ca United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Alamo (DVD)

This review refers to the MGM DVD edtion(2000 release) of "The Alamo"(1960).....

So many times in History, man has had to make the decision of whether to accept things the way they are and live in terror, or rise up against his oppressor no matter what the cost, to make life better for future generations. "The Alamo" is one story of the brave people in American History, who stood and fought for what they believed in, against overwhelming odds.John Wayne put his heart and soul into this epic story and breathes life into these dedicated and heroic Americans.

Col.Davey Crockett,Col.Jim Bowie and Col. William Travis are the driving force behind a group of less then 200 untrained men and their families, barracaded in an old Texas mission("The Alamo"), being used as a fort to fend of the advances of the immense army being lead by Generalissimo Santa Anna. All knowing that they will probably lose their lives, and they could leave without shame at any time, they all stay to defend the right of freedom, and to give General Sam Houston the time he needs to prepare his army for battle. It is a touching and gripping account of the events, of the battles, and of the growing comraderie within the fort.

John Wayne produced, directed and stars as a very convincing Davey Crockett. Richard Widmark as Jim Bowie and Laurence Harvey as Col Travis are fabulous in the roles as the two Colonels at odds with each other but are united for the cause.
Also starring is Richard Boone(every time I see him I expect the old "Palidan" music to start playing), a very young Frankie Avalon and western legend Chill Wills, who recieved a nod from Oscar for his performance as "Beekeeper" in the supporting actor catagory. The music is hauntingly beautiful, and will stay with you long after the film is over. Dimitri Tiomkin won a Golden Globe for his scoring as did Paul Francis Weber for his equally beautiful lyrics of "The Green Leaves of Summer".The cinematography, also garnering a nomination from Oscar,makes this film a joy to watch.

I had previously taped this film from a classic film channel,finally bought the DVD, and when I saw the brillance of this transfer and heard it in the enhanced 5.1 Surround I was in movie heaven. The picture in the original theatrical widescreen and the colors looked magnificent. Every sound from the galloping of the horses, to the cannons blasting, the dialouge and the music were crystal clear. There is also a great documentary included on the making of the film, where you will see the great John Ford making an appearance on the set and adding his expertise as well.It may also be viewed in French and Spanish and also has subtitles in those languages.

So why only 4 stars for my rave review of this film and the DVD?....As I mentioned I had this on tape and watched it many times. I noticed a couple of my favorite scenes are now missing and the film somewhat shorter in length. I especially missed the little birthday party scene(if you have seen it before, you know what I am talking about). This scene to me, depicted the growing closeness of the people inside the mission and the family like atmosphere.

This film is a sentimental favorite of mine, and I really hope someday MGM will release the entire film to DVD, until then I will certainly enjoy this terrific transfer. It's absolutely worth the view.

"Remember the Alamo"...and enjoy.....Laurie

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars DVD Disappointment, January 20, 2002

By	Ken Andrew EPM Production (West Linton, Scotland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Alamo (DVD)

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!!!!!