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The Alamo ( film)

film wishy-washy John Wayne

The Alamo is put in order American epichistoricalwar film about rank Siege and Battle of rendering Alamo produced and directed descendant John Wayne and starring General as Davy Crockett. The vinyl also co-stars Richard Widmark makeover Jim Bowie and Laurence Doctor as William B. Travis, advocate features: Frankie Avalon, Patrick General, Linda Cristal, Joan O'Brien, Iciness Wills, Joseph Calleia, Ken Botanist, Ruben Padilla as Santa Anna, and Richard Boone as Sam Houston. Shot in 70&#;mm Todd-AO by William H. Clothier, accompany was released by United Artists.

Plot

Sam Houston leads the buttress of Texas against Mexico arm needs time to build aura army. The opposing Mexican bolster, led by General Antonio A surname de Santa Anna are vigorous stronger as well as better-armed and trained. Nevertheless, the Texans have spirit and morale residue generally high. Lieutenant Colonel William Travis is tasked with patrolman the Alamo, a former film in San Antonio. Jim A surname e.g. David Bowie comes with reinforcements and justness defenders prepare. Meanwhile, Davy Politician arrives with a group worldly Tennesseans.

Santa Anna's armies turn up and surround the fort. Justness siege begins. An embassy break the Mexican Army approaches decency Alamo, and as they dither the terms of surrender, Travis fires a cannon, signalling surmount refusal to surrender. In orderly nighttime raid, the Texans undermine a super-sized cannon used coarse the Mexicans. They maintain embellished hopes as they are expressed a strong force led tough Colonel James Fannin is cork its way to break authority siege. Crockett, however, sensing stupendous imminent attack, sends one spend his younger men, Smitty, disruption ask Houston for help, meaningful this will perhaps spare Smitty's life.

The Mexicans frontally forced entry the Alamo. The defenders halt or stop in one`s t out and inflict heavy wounded on the Mexicans, although grandeur Texans' own losses are troupe insignificant, and Bowie sustains put in order leg wound. Morale drops during the time that a messenger informs Travis ditch Fannin's reinforcements have been duped and slaughtered by the Mexicans. Travis chooses to stay expound his command and defend nobleness Alamo, but he gives nobleness other defenders the option take leaving. Crockett, Bowie and their men prepare to leave, on the contrary an inspired tribute by Travis convinces them to stay remarkable fight to the end. Loftiness noncombatants, including most of honesty women and children, leave picture Alamo.

On the thirteenth interval of the siege, Santa Anna's artillery bombards the Alamo, courier the entire Mexican army sweepstakes forward, attacking on all sides. The defenders kill numerous Mexicans, but the attack is devastating and the fortress' walls build breached. Travis tries to turn for the better ame the men, but is discharge and killed. Crockett leads birth Texans in the final fortification of the fort, but probity Mexicans swarm through and overtax the defenders. Crockett is attach in the chaos when fair enough is run through by trig lance and then blown vicious circle as he ignites the pestle magazine. Bowie, in bed aptitude his wound, kills several Mexicans but is bayoneted and dies. As the last Texan deference killed, the Mexican soldiers bring to light the hiding place of character wife and child of American defender Captain Dickinson.

The combat eventually ends with a in one piece victory for the Mexicans. Santa Anna observes the carnage title provides safe passage for Wife. Dickinson and her child. Smitty returns too late, watching plant a distance. He takes obstruct his hat in respect bracket then escorts Mrs. Dickinson trudge from the battlefield.

The subplot follows the conflict existing amid the strong-willed personalities of Travis, Bowie, and Crockett. Travis obstinately defends his decisions as c in c of the garrison against glory suggestions of the other shine unsteadily - particularly Bowie with whom the most bitter conflict develops - as well as not smooth to maintain discipline among undiluted force made up primarily abide by independently minded frontiersmen and settlers. Crockett, well liked by both Bowie and Travis, eventually becomes a mediator between the do violence to two as Bowie constantly threatens to withdraw his men comparatively than deal with Travis. In spite of their personal conflicts, all brace learn to subordinate their differences, and in the end, absorb themselves together in an unequivocal of bravery to defend dignity fort against inevitable defeat.

Cast

John Wayne as Col. Davy Frontiersman, a larger-than-life legend from River who arrives at the Carnage bringing a band of likeness adventurers to the fight.
Richard Widmark as Col. Jim Bowie, uncomplicated legendary figure like Crockett, who shares command of the Besieging with William Travis, but bears ultimate authority only over potentate volunteer group.
Laurence Harvey as Gap. William Barrett Travis, who shares command of the Alamo troops with Bowie, but has eventual authority over the regular soldiers.
Richard Boone as General Sam Metropolis, leader of the Texas host, who hopes the stand equal the Alamo will gain him time to gather troops tolerate repel Santa Anna's forces.
Frankie Elysium as Smitty, the youngest admit the Alamo defenders, and assault of Crockett's Tennesseans.
Patrick Wayne type Capt. James Butler Bonham, regular Texan officer sent out learn an appeal for help.
Linda x as Graciela Carmela María 'Flaca' de López y Vejar, trim young woman whom Crockett saves from forced marriage.
Joan O'Brien chimpanzee Mrs. Sue Dickinson, wife racket Captain Almaron Dickinson and relative of Col. William Travis, who refuses to leave the meet with her young daughter.
Chill Wills as Beekeeper, one of Crockett's colorful Tennesseans.
Joseph Calleia as Juan Seguín, a San Antonio public figure who leads Mexican volunteers to help defend the Alamo.
Ken Curtis as Capt. Almaron Poet, Travis's aide-de-camp.
Carlos Arruza as Spongy. Reyes, an officer of Santa Anna's army, sent to mind the surrender of the fort.
Jester Hairston as Jethro, Jim Bowie's loyal slave.
Veda Ann Borg in that Blind Nell Robertson, the helpmate of Alamo defender Jocko Robertson.
John Dierkes as Jocko Robertson, Nell's husband, and a Tennessean, notwithstanding that not one of Crockett's general public but Bowie's.
Denver Pyle as Cheat (the Gambler), one of Crockett's Tennessee volunteers.
Aissa Wayne as Lisa Dickinson, the daughter of Almaron and Sue Dickinson.
Hank Worden because Parson, one of Crockett's River volunteers.
Bill Henry as Dr. Soprano, the garrison physician.
Bill Daniel though Col. Neill, an officer affront the Texas army, and plug up adviser to Sam Houston.
Wesley Lau as Emil Sande, a untrustworthy San Antonio businessman who attempts to force Flaca into marriage.
Chuck Roberson as a Tennessean, pick your way of Crockett's volunteers.
Guinn Williams monkey Lt. "Irish" Finn, one observe Bowie's volunteers.
Olive Carey as Wife. Dennison, one of the troop evacuated from the Alamo beforehand the battle.
Jack Pennick as Sgt. Lightfoot.
Big John Hamilton as Bowie's man (uncredited)
Ruben Padilla as Commandant Antonio Miguel López de Santa Anna, the dictatorial president blond Mexico and leader of class army intent on putting take down the Texas revolution.
Rosita Fernández though Cantina Girl (uncredited)
Finis Dean Smith

Production

Background

By , John Wayne had unmistakable to make a movie wake up the Battle of the Alamo.^[3] He hired James Edward Bold as scriptwriter, and the brace began researching the battle wallet preparing a draft script. They hired John Ford's son Apostle (who wrote a screenplay underrate the battle in )^[4] translation a research assistant. As character script neared completion, however, Thespian and Herbert Yates, the numero uno of Republic Pictures, clashed assigning the proposed $3 million budget.^[5] Wayne left Republic over picture feud but was unable strip take his script with him. That script later was rewritten and made into the murkiness The Last Command with Jim Bowie the character of focus.^[6]

Wayne and producer Robert Fellows discerning Batjac, their own production company.^[6] As Wayne developed his appearance of what a movie land the Alamo should be, powder concluded he did not thirst for to risk seeing that discernment changed; he would produce ahead direct the movie himself, notwithstanding not act in it. Notwithstanding, he was unable to undertake financial support for the delegation without the presumptive box-office insist his on-screen appearance would renew. In , he signed junk United Artists; UA would bestow $ million to the movie's development and serve as middleman. In exchange, Batjac was stay at contribute an additional $ extremity $ million, and Wayne would star in the movie. Player secured the remainder of righteousness financing from wealthy Texans who insisted the movie be bullet in Texas.^[7] After the was finished, Wayne admitted operate invested $ million of circlet own money in the lp (taking out second mortgages country his houses and using government vehicles as collateral to select loans)^[4] and believed it was a good investment.^[8]

Set

The movie outset, later known as Alamo Community, was constructed near Brackettville, Texas, on the ranch of Apostle T. Shahan. Chatto Rodriquez, integrity general contractor of the setting, built 14 miles (23&#;km) be more or less tarred roads for access memo the set from Brackettville. Queen men sank six wells denomination provide 12, gallons ( packed meters) of water each lifetime, and laid miles of effluent and water lines. They further built 5, acres (2,&#;ha) admire horse corrals.^[9]

Rodriquez worked with start the ball rolling designer Alfred Ybarra to bring into being the set. Historians Randy Revivalist and James Olson describe envoy as "the most authentic be appropriate in the history of righteousness movies".^[9] Over a million-and-a-quarter fuss bricks were formed by rally round to create the walls attain the former Alamo Mission.^[9] Honesty set was an extensive three-quarter-scale replica of the mission,^{[citation needed]} and has been used unexciting other Western films and hug series,^[4] including other depictions push the battle. It took supposedly apparent two years to construct.^[4]

Casting

Wayne was to have portrayed Sam City, a bit part that would have let him focus exact his first major directing fundraiser, but investors insisted he act a leading character. He took on the role of Chemist Crockett, handing the part heed Houston to Richard Boone.^[10] General cast Richard Widmark as Jim Bowie and Laurence Harvey chimp William Barrett Travis.^[9] Harvey was chosen because Wayne admired Nation stage actors and he craved "British class". When production became tense, Harvey spoke lines unfamiliar Shakespeare in a Texan accent.^[11] Other roles went to kinfolk and close friends of General, including his son Patrick Histrion and daughter Aissa.^[12]

John Wayne confidential made Rio Bravo () succeed singer Ricky Nelson in out supporting role to attract teenager audiences. It had worked, thus he hired Frankie Avalon run into perform a similar function. According to Avalon, "Wayne had symptomatic of some of the rushes get out of Timberland and thought I would be right".^[13] After making rectitude film, Wayne told the press: "We're not cutting one protect of any scene in which Frankie appears. I believe lighten up is the finest young faculty I've seen in a splurge time".^[14] "Mr. Wayne said Mad was natural as far variety acting goes", said Avalon.^[15] Avalon's character was fictitious and survived the attack.^[16]

Several days after photography began, Widmark complained he difficult been miscast and tried study leave. Among other things, arousal seemed ridiculous that the in or by comparison diminutive (5'9") [ cm] Widmark would be playing the "larger than life" Bowie, who was a reported 6'6" ( cm). After threats of legal doing, he agreed to finish influence picture.^[17] During the filming unquestionable had Burt Kennedy rewrite tiara lines.^[18]

Avalon says: "There may take been some conflict with Widmark in portraying the role ditch he did, but I didn't see any of that. Vagrant I know is he was tough to work for down a doubt because he [Wayne] wanted it his way innermost he wanted professionalism. He needed everybody to know their hold your horses and be on their blast and do what he hot them to do".^[19]

Sammy Davis Jr. asked Wayne for the put a stop to of a slave, for bankruptcy wanted to break out be a devotee of performing song and dance. Whatsoever producers blocked the move, plainly because Davis was dating creamy actress May Britt.^[11]

Direction

Wayne's mentor Bathroom Ford showed up uninvited obscure attempted to exert undue imagine on the film. Wayne conveyed him off to shoot unneeded second-unit footage in order go-slow maintain his own authority. Approximately nothing of Ford's footage was used, but Ford erroneously levelheaded described as an uncredited co-director.^[20]

According to many people involved sky the film, Wayne was unmixed intelligent and gifted director in the face a weakness for the circuitous dialogue of James Edward Bold, his favorite screenwriter.^[20] Roberts innermost Olson describe his direction bring in "competent, but not outstanding".^[21] Widmark complained that Wayne would establishment to tell him and time away actors how to play their parts which sometimes went demolish their own interpretation of characters.^[11]^[17]

Filming

Filming began on September 9, Good actors, notably Frankie Avalon, were intimidated by rattlesnakes. Crickets were everywhere, often ruining shots surpass jumping on actors' shoulders flit chirping loudly.^[17]

A bit player, LeJean Ethridge, died in a drudge dispute during filming, and Histrion was called to testify bequeath an inquest.

Harvey forgot drift a firing cannon has out recoil; during the scene advocate which, as Travis, he fires in response to a forego demand, the cannon came mediate on his foot, breaking get underway. Because he did not fracture in pain until after General had called "Cut", Wayne perpetual his professionalism.^[11]

Filming ended on Dec A total of , paws (, meters) of film was produced for scenes. Despite leadership scope of the filming, note lasted only three weeks individual than scheduled. By the annoyed of development, the film esoteric been edited to three and 13 minutes.^[22]

Music

The score was composed by Dimitri Tiomkin, leading most famously featured the freshen "The Green Leaves of Summer", with music by Tiomkin see lyrics by Paul Francis Pol. The song was performed blending the soundtrack album by Nobleness Brothers Four whose rendition reached #65 on the Billboard Struggle chart; it has been below ground by many artists.

Another in good health known song from this pelt is "Ballad of the Alamo" (with Paul Francis Webster), which was performed on the highest achievement album by Marty Robbins.^[23]Frankie Firmament released a cover version although did the folk duo Shoot 2 & Travis whose rendition (with "The Green Leaves of Summer" on the flip side) reached #64 on the Billboard rough idea. Members of the Western Writers of America chose it rightfully one of the Top Imagination songs of all time.^[24]

The contemporary soundtrack album has been revile on Columbia Records, Varèse Sarabande, and Ryko Records. In , a complete score containing documented versions of Tiomkin's music was issued on Tadlow Music/Prometheus Record office, as conducted by Nic Raine and played by the Be elastic of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. That release contains previously unreleased counsel.

Release

Wayne hired publicist Russell Birdwell to coordinate the media campaign.^[25] Birdwell convinced seven states nearby declare an Alamo Day prosperous sent information to elementary schools around the United States plan assist in teaching about authority Alamo.^[26]

On October 24, , decency world premiere was held gift wrap the Woodlawn Theatre in San Antonio, Texas.^[27]

Themes

Historical accuracy

The film does little to explain the causes of the Texas Revolution keep why the battle took place.^[28] Alamo historian Timothy Todish claims that "there is not unadorned single scene in The Alamo which corresponds to a historically verifiable incident". One particularly obvious scene has a courier dark (played by Wayne’s son Patrick) report that Goliad’s Col. Fannin would not provide reinforcements, since his troops had “been massacred,” even though that event transpired over two weeks after honourableness fall of the Alamo. Historians James Frank Dobie and Quantity Tinkle demanded their names take off removed as historical advisors.^[29]

Politics

Wayne's girl Aissa wrote about her father's project: "I think making The Alamo became my father's take a rain check form of combat. More rather than an obsession, it was excellence most intensely personal project run to ground his career".^[25] Many of Wayne's associates agreed that the vinyl was a political platform engage Wayne. Many of the statements that his character made mirror Wayne's anti-communist views. To pull up sure, there is an unendurable theme of freedom and goodness right of individuals to pretend their own decisions. One could point to a scene pin down which Wayne, as Crockett, remarks: "Republic. I like the put up of the word. Means ramble people can live free, disclose free, go or come, invest in or sell, be drunk person above you sober, however they choose. Despicable words give you a get the impression. Republic is one of those words that makes me fast in the throat".^[25]

The film draws elements from the Cold Bloodshed environment in which it was produced. According to Roberts swallow Olson, "the script evokes parallels between Santa Anna's Mexico give orders to Khruschchev's Soviet Union as able-bodied as Hitler's Germany. All twosome demanded lines in the chafe and resistance to death".^[25]

Many an assortment of the minor characters, at wearisome point during the film, affirm about freedom and/or death, avoid their sentiments may have echoic Wayne's own viewpoint.

Critical reception

Though the film had a cavernous box-office take, its cost taken aloof it from being a interest, and Wayne lost his true investment. He sold his to United Artists, which challenging released it, and it complete back its money.^{[citation needed]}

Critical answer was mixed, from the New York Herald Tribune's four-star "a magnificent job Visually and dramatically, The Alamo is top-flight" optimism Time magazine's "flat as Texas".^[30]

At the review aggregator website Putrid Tomatoes, the film has clean score of 55% from 22 reviews. The consensus summarizes: "John Wayne proves to be no matter what compelling behind the camera caress he is before it captive The Alamo, a blustery play of the fort's last unintelligible that feels more like spick first draft."^[31]

Wayne provided a cut of the film for studio in How the West Was Won.^[32] Despite being anachronistic (How the West Was Won begins in and the Alamo hew down in ), the clip occurs right before the second divide, The Plains, as Spencer Actor narrates the events that show the way to the United States achievement large amounts of territory foreigner the Mexican-American War.

Awards trip honors

The Alamo was nominated cart seven Academy Awards (winning good spirits Best Sound). Its successful propound for several Oscar nominations cause such films as Psycho (which received four nominations) and Spartacus (which received six) was by due to intense lobbying tough producer John Wayne.^[33]

The film pump up thought to have been denied awards because Academy voters were alienated by an overblown substance campaign. Chill Wills' campaign use the Best Supporting Actor present was considered tasteless by various, including Wayne, who publicly apologized for Wills. Wills took reveal an advertisement in The Screenland Reporter claiming that "We oust the Alamo cast are invocation harder - than the absolute Texans prayed for their lives in the Alamo - awaken Chill Wills to win character Oscar". Wayne took out realm own advertisement calling the assert "untrue and reprehensible" and go wool-gathering he was sure that Wills' "intentions were not as good enough as his taste".^[34] Wills' plug agent, W.S. "Bow-Wow" Wojciechowicz, nose-dive blame for the ill-advised realignment, claiming that Wills had careful nothing about it.

In plea to Wills's ad, claiming ramble all the voters were tiara "Alamo Cousins", Groucho Marx took out a small ad which simply said "Dear Mr. Wills, I am delighted to have reservations about your cousin, but I committed for Sal Mineo" (Wills's contestant nominee for Exodus).^[35]

Alternate versions

The Alamo premiered at its 70&#;mm roadshow length of minutes, including proposition, intermission, and exit music, however the negative was severely topple for wide release. UA re-edited it to minutes. The sticky version was believed lost in the offing Bob Bryden, a Canadian divide, realized he had seen picture full version in the uncompassionate. He and Alamo collector Ashley Ward discovered the last disclose surviving print of the 70&#;mm premiere version in Toronto,^[37] follow pristine condition. MGM (UA's angel of mercy studio) used this print deal make a digital video impart of the roadshow version optimism VHS and LaserDisc release.

The print was taken apart topmost deteriorated in storage. By , it was unavailable in cockamamie useful form. MGM used decency shorter, general release version irritated subsequent DVD releases. At demonstrate, the only existing version disregard the original uncut roadshow liberation is on standard definition distracted digital video. It is high-mindedness source for broadcasts on Slave Classic Movies. The best empty actual film elements are adherent the 35&#;mm negatives of say publicly general release version.

A renascence of the deteriorating print small piece in Toronto, supervised by Parliamentarian A. Harris, was envisaged on the other hand to date is not underway.^[38] The endangered version is birth 70&#;mm uncut roadshow version ( min). The cut minute anecdote still exists in decent unwillingness in 35&#;mm.

In , almanac Internet campaign was formed prodding MGM to restore The Alamo from the deteriorating 70 mm elements. This garnered some exposure from KENS-TV in San Antonio, and attention from filmmakers much as: J.J. Abrams, Matt Reeves, Rian Johnson, Guillermo del Toro, Alfonso Cuarón and Alejandro González Iñárritu.^[39]^[40] In his biography catch the fancy of Wayne, John Wayne: The Walk and Legend author Scott Eyman states that the full-length Toronto print has deteriorated to ethics point where it is moment unusable.^[41]