The Alamo (DVD, 2000, Holiday O-Ring Packaging)

Texas' pivotal battle for independence from Mexico comes to a
climax courtesy of John Wayne (one of only two movies Wayne Directed
and starred in-the other The GREEN BERETS). Wayne plays Davey
Crockett in this movie and is joined by other stars Laurence
Harvey starring as Col. Wlliam Travis and famous knife fighter
Jim Bowie is played by Richard Widmark as they join the Tennessee
frontiersman in the crumbling Spanish Mission for one of history s
epic last stands. With only 182 men the Alamo force faces an
army of over 7,000 Mexicans commanded by Gen. Santa Ana. The
final attack and rousing defense rank among Hollywoods finest
battle scenes with set forces. Lovers of History, and war movie
collectors will certainly enjoy this movie and this is a must for
collectors of John Wayne movies. Will definitely fill an evening
with a great night of viewing.

If you're into historical accuracy, this isn't your film. If you enjoy seeing the underdog thumb his nose at inevitable destruction, to face it with honor, duty and integrity that my generation aspired to live up to, then this is your flick.

As with most John Wayne flicks, the classic cliches abound. The Dukes films deal less with historical accuracy, focusing more upon the human traits of duty, honor, personal integrity and self sacrifice. These movies are being shown less and less on AMC (about the only station that playes these classics anymore) and they're bieng replaced with movies such as Platoon, Hamburger Hill and Silverado (all good movies in themselves but with a different focus). The young people today know very little of these types of films my generation grew up with and the traits of the actors we aspired to emulate. These characters, as played by the greats of my generation, possessed the traits that most all the men of my generation desired to emulate. Show it to your kids, your grandkids, and let them know what it was that influenced your life and generation.

This is an entertaining movies that does all that. It's funny, it inspires all the traits I mention above. It's a classic David and Goliath battle with David going down this time, but not without a fight and not without honor. I find these types of movies (and I've bought a fair number of them recently) the most enjoyable to watch on a rainy Sunday afternoon, with a big bowl of popcorn, a diet Pepsi and my cuddly wife. She's come to appreciate them as well.

I recommend getting as many of these classics as you can. One day, the TV stations will no longer show them and an entire generation of movies will cease to be. A generation that I'm way to fond of to let go. You'll enjoy these movies if you give them a chance and this one is one of the Duke's best, and one of the most overlooked and underplayed.

This is (so far) the one and only Alamo movie for me. I love its Texas texture and atmosphere, which is very authentic. I know. I live in Texas. It portrays the Mexicans and the Mexican culture honestly and without bias. The final assualt is a masterpiece of action and drama. Still, the movie is somewhat problematical. All the acting is top-notch--particularly Laurence Harvey's Travis--except for John Wayne's Davy Crockett. You never imagine him really as any Davy Crockett, just as John Wayne--which is OK, but also disappointing. Also, the cornball humor, at times, can be irritating. Chill Wills, for example, basically acts like a 3 year old. Still, this is not supposed to be Hamlet. The haunting musical score is superb. This DVD comes with a bonus--The Making of the Alamo--which is a very interesting must see.

A movie I remembered waiting in line as a kid, for to watch, as I think the movie was done way before 2000, and the year 2000 was when it was produced in DVD form.
Drawn out, in its start, chances are fairly close to historical facts, with a little bending here and there.
Not one sided view, where the Mexican forces are viewed with just as much force and honor as the Texans, inside the rotting Alamo.
figures of the actual count of Texans inside go from 182-187 men, of which it is recorded by the Mexicans only seven Texans surrendered towards the end asking for mercy, but no quarter was given and all seven met the fate of the others.
A huge cast of actors, and as prior mentioned till the last two days the Alamo the movie is a little on the drawn-out side.
The last two days of the Alamo give the worth this movie watching, it happens so quickly compared with the rest of the movie drawn out rambling.
Still a good movie, enjoyed watching, but being a veteran, who has seen and knows the mental effects of combat the battle scenes were as not as exciting as when seen as a child.
Still with its short comings would recommend.

Another good John Wayne movie...ofcourse, the best part of all the Alamo movies is the famous battle scene at the end. Maybe, one day they will have the guts to make an Alamo movie with "greater" historical accuracy (like Crockett dying after surrendering to the Mexicans). However, this is one of Wayne's finest. Highly recommend.