There has been many film versions about The Alamo's 150 Americans heroic stand against the Mexican army of General Santa Ana in San Antonio de Béjar, Texas and I've seen most of them (perhaps all of them). This 1960 John Wayne intent is not a perfect movie and it has its weaknesses, but in my opinion it's the one that better catches the epic spirit and the sense of greatness of the myth.
Some sequences (the rescue of the powder by Wayne's men at the start, the night mission to silence Santa Ana'a cannons and the friendly competition of Crockett with one of his men hiting each other at the "cantina") could have been cut off for better for they appear too common "westernly"-like and extend the film unnecessarily. On the other hand, the final charge by the Mexicans and the desperate final resistance are visually outstanding and has big impact and strenght.
Wayne (Davy Crockett) and Richard Widmark (Jim Bowie) are good as the famous defenders that rendered their lives for the cause. Laurence Harvey looks a bit wooden as William Travis. The supporting cast is excellent and shows fine performances out of Chill Wills, John Dierkes, Denver Pyle, Ken Curtis and Richard Boone as Sam Houston, among others. The sort of romantic touch is brought by Argentine actress Linda Cristal who gets slightly involved with Wayne.
If you're interested in the subject or you enjoy epic spectacular films this is one you shouldn't miss. Good for Wayne in his only direction work.
Some sequences (the rescue of the powder by Wayne's men at the start, the night mission to silence Santa Ana'a cannons and the friendly competition of Crockett with one of his men hiting each other at the "cantina") could have been cut off for better for they appear too common "westernly"-like and extend the film unnecessarily. On the other hand, the final charge by the Mexicans and the desperate final resistance are visually outstanding and has big impact and strenght.
Wayne (Davy Crockett) and Richard Widmark (Jim Bowie) are good as the famous defenders that rendered their lives for the cause. Laurence Harvey looks a bit wooden as William Travis. The supporting cast is excellent and shows fine performances out of Chill Wills, John Dierkes, Denver Pyle, Ken Curtis and Richard Boone as Sam Houston, among others. The sort of romantic touch is brought by Argentine actress Linda Cristal who gets slightly involved with Wayne.
If you're interested in the subject or you enjoy epic spectacular films this is one you shouldn't miss. Good for Wayne in his only direction work.