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Rating:  -
This film was panned by reviewers when it came out, but I'd have to say that it presents a grittier look at the events surrounding the Alamo than have previously represented on screen. The characters were interesting, although it seems that they may have been exaggerated a bit to emphasize their actual position during the events that they underwent.
The "making of" and other extras on this DVD were an excellent addition to help put context behind the events that surrounded this place and time and why (or why not) the characters represented were extraordinary in their own right.
Definitely worth seeing it once with all of the extras all the way through. The pacing is spotty at best in that the anticipation of waiting for the final battle isn't always felt by the audience.
Rating:  -
I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, but I rented "The Alamo" because I only had the vaguest idea of what the historical event was all about, and most of the knowledge that I did possess was gleaned from watching Hank Hill get all choked-up about it on "King of the Hill." Well, despite my rather silly reason for renting it, I must say that "The Alamo" delivers. I also must admit that I have a bit of a prejudice against films of this type. Still, with John Lee Hancock at the helm I knew that it would at least look impressive. Best of all, "The Alamo" is a powerful film about bravery in battle and courage in the face of certain death. Apparently there was a switch of directors at some point, I don't know who the other contender was, but I am grateful that the studio didn't hand the reins to Michael Bay so that he would make another "Pearl Harbor".....
Rating:  -
The alamo is a very good film. I loved it. It follows Davy Crokkett and his men trying to defend the Alamo from the thousands of Spanish knocking on the door. The acting in this film is spectacular. It is ver similar to The Patriot, exept different time period, different War, and different actors. But the Genra is the same. I think if you liked the Patriot you will love this.
THank you for reading my review, I hope it was helpful.
Rating: -
By the time England saw this film it had taken a worse mauling than the Texians in 1836 and unfairly. It is certainly not a great film; not even a very good film, but it is far from a disaster. It boasts the most intelligent and sensitive portrayal of David Crockett on record along with fine portrayals of Santa Anna and General Castrillon; there is good attention to much of the detail and the appearance of the Texians in civilian topcoats etc. but someone seems to have butchered it in order to reduce the running time, if you check with the 'book of the film' and it's a pity. For me, Lawrence Harvey will always be the definitive Travis but this latest Travis would not have inspired me to cross his line in the dirt. Sorry.
Rating: -
Of the many praising this movie, one constant in their reviews seems to be a defense of the historical accuracy over previous cinematic adaptations. Allow me to submit up front to the merits of the film's accuracy, while at the same time dispute it's overall merits. "The Alamo", despite it's good intentions, falls into the trap of putting all it's energy into the historical accuracy at the expense of all else, including engaging storytelling. Naturally, 90% of historical epics coming out of Hollywood take significant liberties with the facts, but it seems it's this severe dichotomy which misleads filmmakers like John Lee Hancock into believing they can get by on just the facts.
The acting (with the exception perhaps of Dennis Quaid) had been almost universally praised, and there really isn't anything to complain about in that department, but neither does the austere, virtually blow-by-blow script allow any of the participants to really run away with their parts. There is also a certain staginess to the scenes which wasn't present in the John Wayne version, despite the fact that both had to deal with taking place almost entirely behind the walls of an ad hoc fortress. Again, it feels like in placing so much emphasis on accuracy, there isn't any room left over for dynamic storytelling. After a time, the almost complete lack of overt emotion becomes almost disturbing; Texans have always been known for their fiery stubbornness, but little is shown of the fire beneath the characters of the Alamo defendants, even during the speech where Travis attempts to persuade the Texans to stay. There is also little dynamism in the relationship between Travis and Bowie, the latter of whom brought his own quite capable men and refused to serve under Travis, only acquiescing when he became too ill to command even his own troops.
Overall, the characters in this film go through the motions as if every step has been pre-ordained and they are merely carrying out their destiny; in other words, it's more like we're watching actors re-enact the battle for the Alamo rather than watching the historical battle itself. Those who would point out that we are in fact watching actors re-enact the battle miss the whole point of what movies are supposed to be about.
The sole exception to the extreme subtlety in characterizations is Dennis Quaid as Sam Houston. Quaid's part was allegedly cut significantly in the editing room, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if it was his blusterry overacting that led to this decision. Though Houston was a known alcoholic, he was also a smart, tactical mind who was capable of keeping his cool under the most hostile of counsel, yet Quaid plays him as a near-madman always on the edge of a convulsive emotional fit. His performance here has about as much subtlety as the one in "Enemy Mine" 20 years ago, which is to say: not much. Dennis Quaid has always fared best in the kind of roles that Kevin Costner has popularized, those being simple, salt-of-the-earth type men who are forced to confront important yet black-and-white decisions. None of this describes the character of Sam Houston, which is likely why Quaid has a hard time wrapping his chops around the role.
In closing, I'd like to mention an old acquaintance of mine, who would always read books - mostly fiction - and then watch the movie adaptations with a fine tooth comb. He seemed more interested in picking out details that the film had either gotten wrong or just omitted than he did in judging the movie of a piece in and of itself. I mention this friend because this is the type of person most likely to enjoy the Alamo - the detailists, rather than those who are primarily concerned with the big picture.
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