The Alamo
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Movie Reviews of The Alamo
Movie Review: It's one of those love-hate things.
Summary: 4 Stars
Why I like this film:
1. Made of epic proportions.
2. Wonderful scenery and "feel" of the southwest.
3. Brilliant acting by an entourage of familiars from other John Wayne movies.
4. I actually like the campy dialogue.
5. Good character developement.
Why I dislike this film:
1. Shameless flag-waving propaganda.
2. Offensive depiction of an elderly Black slave who is obviously happy to serve the White man even after he is given his freedom.
3. Mexicans are depicted as brave and virtuous in battle but they are also hopelessly lost without the White man's guidance.
History aside, this film was obviously John Wayne's vision for what America should be. It's very much along the lines of his album, "America, Why I Love Her", but also in the same vien as "The Green Berets"-a movie that waves the flag and tells it's viewer to support America right or wrong. It's extremely militaristic; which is ironic, since John Wayne himself never served in the military.
All my life, I could never come completely to terms with John Wayne. I love so many of his movies such as "True Grit" and "The Cowboys" and am deeply offended by others such as "The Green Berets" and "Big Jim McLain".
"The Alamo" seems to embody what I love, but also hate in John Wayne's movies. Watching "The Alamo", to me, is like watching "All in the Family"-you hate some of the things that Archie Bunker says, but you can't help but be both entertained by him and have some feelings of empathy for him.
I give "The Alamo" four stars because despite it's faults it is good history, not because of the way it depicts "The Alamo" of course, but for the way it is a classic of the 20th century "Hollywood" image of the American West Mythology which has become classic in itself.
Movie Review: An all-star cast featuring John Wayne is needed to tell this epic tale
Summary: 4 Stars
A small army of a few hundred Texans, along with a few extra helpers from other parts of America, barricade themselves in an old Spanish mission, The Alamo, where they are attacked by Mexican General Santa Anna with an army of thousands. This small rag-tag assemblage of fighters bent on helping Texas gain its freedom from Mexico hold out for a surprisingly long time.
This story is more than a David vs. Goliath show-down (though in this case, as you already know, David ends up losing), the sacrifice of the defenders of the Alamo give Sam Houston enough time to rally other Texans to the cause of independence and are able to fight and win their freedom (though that doesn't happen in this film).
As was the practice in the days when this film was made, the producers assembled a cast of all-stars, some actors, others just high-profile names, and they used them to film epic movies (e.g., The Longest Day (Two-Disc Collector's Edition).
The acting is good overall, though not great. The story is, of course, based on fact and is a touchstone of American history. And, people were busy "remembering the Alamo" until they started "Remembering the Maine" and then "Remembering Pearl Harbor", and finally "9/11". It's that significant.
The stunts are good, the action is engaging, and you love cheering for the underdogs, even though you know their fate. Yet, you also recognize the importance of their sacrifice.
Family watchability and engagement = 3-4 stars
Acting = 4 stars
Story = 5 stars
Special effects = 4 stars
4 solid stars.
Movie Review: Remember the Alamo.
Summary: 4 Stars
Growing up I didn't see many John Wayne movies. However, I did watch THE ALAMO on cable with my family and I was blown away by it. The film made me appreciate the brave men who died at the Alamo and all the ideals they fought to preserve. I was amazed that a rag-tag army of less than 200 was able to withstand an assault against an army of several thousand that had far more firepower and military might.THE ALAMO was a labor of love for John Wayne; he not only acted in it, but directed and produced as well. Though the film has a few flaws, e.g. it moves rather slowly, the dedication by Wayne of making a great movie in honor of the heroes of the Alamo shines through every scene. The sets are fantastic and it is amazing that Duke and company actually rebuilt the Alamo and San Antonio as realistically as possible. The acting is wonderful, even admist a lot of wordy discussions. The film is full of morals and is rathering inspiring.
THE ALAMO may not be the best picture John Wayne ever made. Nevertheless, it is still a good movie that has something for the whole family. Watching the film can perhaps lead to some great books on THE ALAMO and spark an interest in history as it helped do with me.
The DVD version of the movie contains the theatrical (162 minute) release of the film, not the much longer director's cut that many people prefer watching. The only extras on the disc are the film's trailer and a 40 minute documentary entitled "John Wayne's THE ALAMO". The documentary is kind of informative and inlcludes several interviews with cast and crew members who were still alive.
Movie Review: Wayne's Alamo one of best
Summary: 4 Stars
When John Wayne decided to make his version of the events of 1836 which led to the Texas fight for Independence, he made several errors in doing so. One of the most glaring errors is his depiction of the battle itself. While the action events in the movie, filmed in the expansive Todd-AO process, are some of the best ever, we need to be reminded that the original battle was fought at 3 a.m., in the morning, not in daylight as Wayne depicts it. Another thing Wayne should have done which would have made this movie better, would have been to cut some of the lenghty first act and use the time to show what happened with Sam Houston afterward. Another glaring error was when Jim Bowie receives a communication from outside the walls telling him his wife has just died. Actually, Bowie lost his wife some three years prior to 1836. Still, without these minor details, the movie itself is marvelous. Well acted by the principals and the supporting cast, the movie is a spellbinder. While it is long, the 3 hour and 20 minute version does justice to the story. Why the long version hasn't been put on DVD as yet is something I wish someone would explain. Another good thing about the Alamo is the music score by Dimitri Tiomkin, who has scored Wayne pictures before, including Red River and Rio Bravo. The song, the Green Leaves of Summer, should have won the Academy Award that year (1961). If you can find a copy, the long version was available on laserdisc and there might be some floating around somewhere. It would be well worth your time.Movie Review: Lest we forget, lest we forget.
Summary: 4 Stars
It's hard these days to believe that men actually shouted "Remember the Alamo!", actually took guns in their hands, and fought with those guns to defend their land. These days, we watch TV which tells us we're all brothers, while outside, people from all nations stroll in, set up homes, mosques, training camps and whatever they want, and prepare to take over. The defenders of the Alamo are now villains, not heroes, lest young people should get the idea of doing likewise.
This movie reminds us of a by-gone age in America, when Americans were not only willing to fight to defend America, but believed it was right to do so. Seeing John Wayne swagger and defy, we click out tongues and shake our heads and call it "Romanticism" or "Conservatism" or some other swear word.
These days, they don't march in with bugles blaring and drums beating. They stroll in, one million per year, and their guns are hidden in safe houses. And as we watch Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and southern California go quietly into their hands, we think it just shows how broad-minded and global we have become. And in January, when Obama takes over, the pace will shift into high gear.
So, see this movie. You won't believe how America used to be, but it's true. And there will come a time when you won't be able to see it at all.