{"id":90231,"date":"2023-03-06T23:43:35","date_gmt":"2023-03-07T06:43:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=90231"},"modified":"2024-04-21T23:57:39","modified_gmt":"2024-04-22T06:57:39","slug":"alamo-the-1960","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=90231","title":{"rendered":"Alamo, The (1960)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;I hope they&#8217;re remembered; I hope Texas remembers.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Poster-195x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"195\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-90232\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Poster-195x300.png 195w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Poster-83x128.png 83w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Poster-175x270.png 175w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Poster.png 549w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 195px) 100vw, 195px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nShortly after <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sam_Houston\">General Sam Houston<\/a> (Richard Boone) tells <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/William_B._Travis\">Lt. Col. William Travis<\/a> (Laurence Harvey) he needs time to build an army to oppose an impending raid by Mexican forces, Travis enlists support from <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Davy_Crockett\">Davy Crockett<\/a> (John Wayne), <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/James_Bowie\">Jim Bowie<\/a> (Richard Widmark), and others in defending the Alamo.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Historical Drama<\/li>\n<li>John Wayne Films<\/li>\n<li>Laurence Harvey Films<\/li>\n<li>Military<\/li>\n<li>Richard Boone Films<\/li>\n<li>Richard Widmark Films<\/li>\n<li>Westerns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nJohn Wayne directed this Oscar-nominated historical epic about the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Battle_of_the_Alamo\">Battle of the Alamo<\/a>, agreeing to cast himself as Davy Crockett in exchange for creative control, and spending much of his own money to fund it. The result is an overly long and overly earnest &#8212; albeit beautifully filmed &#8212; saga, with ample opportunities for Wayne&#8217;s Crockett and\/or other characters to reflect Wayne&#8217;s conservative political views &#8212; including love of freedom and individualism. As Crockett says:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;Republic. I like the sound of the word. Means that people can live free, talk free, go or come, buy or sell, be drunk or sober, however they choose. Some words give you a feeling. Republic is one of those words that makes me tight in the throat.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The historical accuracy of this film&#8217;s storyline is apparently less than stellar, with the padded plot simply an excuse to get to the battle scenes. As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1960\/10\/27\/archives\/screen-john-waynes-3hour-remembrance-of-the-alamohe-produces-and.html\">Bosley Crowther put it in his review for <em>The New York Times<\/em><\/a>: <\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8230; [the] representation of the last battle for the Alamo comes after two hours of slogging through some rather sticky Western clich\u00e9s. The old mission must be defended against the Mexican army coming north. Something to do with freedom. Gen. Sam Houston gives the word. Col. William Travis, the commander, is a tough, snobbish martinet. Jim Bowie hates and distrusts him. Davy Crockett is not quite sure. There are other complicating factors\u2014women, children and such. But, in the end, the fort must be defended, and that&#8217;s what everybody does.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Harvey is arguably miscast as Lt. Col. Travis (though apparently he was a professional delight to work with): <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Harvey.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Harvey-1024x458.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"286\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-90240\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Harvey-1024x458.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Harvey-300x134.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Harvey-128x57.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Harvey-768x344.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Harvey-604x270.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Harvey.png 1296w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and Wayne and Widmark really should have shifted roles, though this was beyond their control. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Fire.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Fire-1024x461.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"288\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-90244\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Fire-1024x461.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Fire-300x135.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Fire-128x58.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Fire-768x345.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Fire-600x270.png 600w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Fire.png 1294w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Watch for Frankie Avalon in a supporting role as &#8220;Smitty&#8221;, one of Davy Crockett&#8217;s &#8220;Tennesseans&#8221;: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Smitty.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Smitty-1024x457.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"286\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-90242\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Smitty-1024x457.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Smitty-300x134.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Smitty-128x57.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Smitty-768x343.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Smitty-604x270.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Smitty.png 1297w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and bullfighter Carlos Arruza as a member of General Santa Anna&#8217;s army. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Arruza.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Arruza-1024x463.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"289\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-90243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Arruza-1024x463.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Arruza-300x136.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Arruza-128x58.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Arruza-768x348.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Arruza-597x270.png 597w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Arruza.png 1297w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a> <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>William Clothier&#8217;s cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Soldiers-Walking.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Soldiers-Walking-1024x456.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"285\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-90237\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Soldiers-Walking-1024x456.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Soldiers-Walking-300x134.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Soldiers-Walking-128x57.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Soldiers-Walking-768x342.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Soldiers-Walking-604x270.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Soldiers-Walking.png 1299w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Sunlight.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Sunlight-1024x469.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"293\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-90238\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Sunlight-1024x469.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Sunlight-300x137.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Sunlight-128x59.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Sunlight-768x352.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Sunlight-590x270.png 590w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Alamo-Sunlight.png 1289w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, though Oscar completists will likely want to check it out. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0053580\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1960\/10\/27\/archives\/screen-john-waynes-3hour-remembrance-of-the-alamohe-produces-and.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s170alamo.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/17415\/the-alamo#articles-reviews?articleId=12465\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/nighthawknews.wordpress.com\/2010\/07\/11\/the-history-of-the-academy-awards-best-picture-1960\/\">History of the Academy Awards: Best Picture Review (1960)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;I hope they&#8217;re remembered; I hope Texas remembers.&#8221; Synopsis: Shortly after General Sam Houston (Richard Boone) tells Lt. Col. William Travis (Laurence Harvey) he needs time to build an army to oppose an impending raid by Mexican forces, Travis enlists support from Davy Crockett (John Wayne), Jim Bowie (Richard Widmark), and others in defending the Alamo. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Historical Drama John Wayne Films Laurence Harvey Films Military Richard Boone Films Richard Widmark Films Westerns Review: John Wayne&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=90231\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-90231","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/90231","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=90231"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/90231\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":95972,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/90231\/revisions\/95972"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=90231"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=90231"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=90231"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}