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The Alamo Details

2004 Certificate 12
  • Rated:
  • 50
  • from 8167 members

An epic that evokes films such as HOW THE WEST WAS WON and DANCES WITH WOLVES, THE ALAMO details the key 1863 battle fought to win Texas from the Mexican government. Originally constructed as a Spanish mission, the Alamo provided a secure post between Texas settlements and the troops of General Santa Anna (Emilio Echevarria), .. Read more

Starring Dennis Quaid, Billy Bob Thornton, Jason Patric, Patrick Wilson
Director John Lee Hancock
Genres Action/Adventure, Audio Descriptive

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The Alamo cover art

The Alamo

An epic that evokes films such as HOW THE WEST WAS WON and DANCES WITH WOLVES, THE ALAMO details the key 1863 battle fought to win Texas from the Mexican government. Originally constructed as a Spanish mission, the Alamo provided a secure post between Texas settlements and the troops of General Santa Anna (Emilio Echevarria), protecting the scores of people working to develop the budding territory, including Davy Crockett (Billy Bob Thornton), James Bowie (Jason Patric), and Sam Houston (Dennis Quaid). But when it was left in the care of an inexperienced leader, the men stationed at the Alamo found themselves in a deadly ambush by Santa Anna. With an insurmountable advantage in strategy and sheer numbers, Santa Anna led the complete slaughter of Alamo forces, an act that incited the ire of Houston who initiated the turnaround that brought Santa Anna's quick defeat. Thornton provides a standout performance as Davy Crockett, who had gained notoriety as an adventurer, rumored to have jumped the Mississippi River. As the Alamo troops prepare to fight, Thornton's nuanced Crockett tempers their adrenalin with horrific battle tales and helps them come to terms with their impending mortality. While graphically reminding viewers of the horrors of war, the film also pays homage to the bravery and patriotism of the men who fought to liberate Texas, live in a free democratic society, and build better lives.

Starring Dennis Quaid, Billy Bob Thornton, Jason Patric, Patrick Wilson, Emilio Echeverria, Jordi Molla
Director John Lee Hancock
Studio TOUCHSTONE HOME VIDEO
Run time DVD: 2 hrs 13 mins
Certificate Certificate 12
Genres Action/Adventure, Audio Descriptive
Language DVD: English, English Audio Description
Hearing-impaired English
Released DVD: 27 Dec 2004
Production year: 2004
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (2) of The Alamo

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  • 2 stars out of 5

    Thanks to the efforts of John Wayne and the legend of Davy Crockett, many are familiar with the bare facts of the Alamo — how, in 1836, a handful of Texans mounted a suicidal defence of a former mission against the Mexican army. It's a crucial episode in US history and part of the national psyche, but it would be hard to divine exactly why from this lengthy account. Heavy on character and light on exposition, this reduces events to a mass of buckskin fringes and big knives. The big-name cast is a draw, with Dennis Quaid effective as the oft-sozzled General Sam Houston (who would go on to avenge the Alamo, defeating the Mexican commander Santa Anna and securing the independence of Texas) and Billy Bob Thornton charming as backwoods hero Crockett. Without the political and historical context, however, this is simply a story of apparently misguided courage in the face of adversity.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • Dull epic of a key moment in Texas' struggle for independence that strives for historical accuracy but somehow loses the drama.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of The Alamo

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  • 22 out of 32 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    The Alamo -

    The film was entertaining and certainly worth watching but did not live up to its hype. I suspect that this may have been due to skimming the plot in places. There must have been over editing or scene cutting to reduce the length of the film.

    It follows the well known historical events of 1836 far more closely than previous Alamo films and avoids the myths that were perhaps partly created by these previous films. Unfortunately it is the myths that make such films more memorable.

    The acting was first class and portrays the humanity, courage & helplessness of the defenders. In line with current trends the Mexicans speak Spanish and this adds to the 'us & them' American bias (!!).

      • A customer from Leeds, England
      • Posted 08 Jan 2005 21:37

  • Most recent members' review of The Alamo

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  • 12 out of 14 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 1 star

    Yet more God Bless America tripe

    This film is a total bore from the first to the last minute. The only redeeming feature is a gentle but repetitve musical score. If you really want to find out about the Alamo check out the History channel not the doctored hollywood version. The characters are one dimensional, the acting is at best average and the entire film centres around the battle with little else to give interest. Avoid it at all costs.

    • becomart
      • becomart from Hitchin
      • Posted 14 May 2005 unknown

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8,167 Member ratings
  • 100
198
  • 90
308
  • 80
550
  • 70
961
  • 60
1,470
  • 50
1,345
  • 40
1,318
  • 30
978
  • 20
693
  • 10
346

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      • An epic that evokes films such as HOW THE WEST WAS WON and DANCES WITH WOLVES, THE ALAMO details the key 1863 battle fought to win Texas from the Mexican government. Originally constructed as a ...