This Republic picture can stand tall in the shadow of the other Alamo movies from major studios. Director Frank Lloyd presents a film that is similar to another Republic flick...Man of Conquest released in 1939. This movie actually has that feel of major studio about it. Terrific camera angles. There are heroes and there are heroes. This time Jim Bowie(Sterling Hayden)takes the lead. Patriot Sam Houston has stirred up his share of faithful Texicans and closed minded men become anxious and unsure of the future. Texas is threatened by the armies of Mexican general Santa Ana(J. Carrol Naish)and a coexistence policy of Bowie's is not sitting well. The arrival of Davy Crockett (Arthur Hunnicutt)is like a ray of hope for courageous defenders assembled in the Alamo. A confrontation with Santa Ana seems nearing and any thoughts of reinforcements for the Texicans is dashed.
Factual history is sidestepped for the sake of the movie. William Travis(Richard Carlson)agrees to share leadership with Bowie. It is a last-ditch stand with the overly outnumbered defenders of Texas and the Alamo dig in for one hell-of-a battle. A last man standing affair. Santa Ana can gloat, but not for long. Brilliant hand-to-hand combat sequences. The battle is realistic enough to almost smell the gunpowder. Actuality aside, this movie is well worth seeing.
Other players featured: Ernest Borgnine, Jim Davis, Otto Kruger, Ben Cooper, Virginia Grey, John Russell, Slim Pickens and the beautiful Anna Maria Alberghetti.
Factual history is sidestepped for the sake of the movie. William Travis(Richard Carlson)agrees to share leadership with Bowie. It is a last-ditch stand with the overly outnumbered defenders of Texas and the Alamo dig in for one hell-of-a battle. A last man standing affair. Santa Ana can gloat, but not for long. Brilliant hand-to-hand combat sequences. The battle is realistic enough to almost smell the gunpowder. Actuality aside, this movie is well worth seeing.
Other players featured: Ernest Borgnine, Jim Davis, Otto Kruger, Ben Cooper, Virginia Grey, John Russell, Slim Pickens and the beautiful Anna Maria Alberghetti.