A look at film restoration and why a certain studios neglect may turn the alamo into dust. Today the alamo is the heart of san antonio and it is texas most visited historic landmark. In 1836, a small band of soldiers sacrifice their lives in hopeless combat against a massive army in order to prevent a tyrant from smashing the new republic of texas. It wasnt until 1992 that these scenes were restored for release on laserdisc and vhs. Soon after its initial release in 1960, a situation arose based primarily on. Mcardle3 foreword4 biographical sketch of mcardle5 newspaper article on mcardle6 photo of reuben m. Frontier legend davy crockett played by wayne and his men arrive in san antonio, texas, and volunteer to help defend the alamo, a hopelessly outgunned missionturnedfort. Saddle up for a stunning new 4k restoration of clint eastwoods brilliant revisionist western. To this date, you could get the officially released score, which runs 44 minutes, the extended score with some neverbeforeheard tracks, which runs 66 minutes, and the complete film score, performed by the prague. Comparison between the original theatrical version, here being represented by a recording from the german paytvnetwork premiere on its mgmchannel identical to the usdvd and the restored directors original cut, also from mgm but released exclusively on vhs laserdisc. Released by sony classical in 1992 srcs 7073 containing music from the alamo 1960. Sep 09, 2017 a look at film restoration and why a certain studios neglect may turn the alamo into dust. The cast also includes richard widmark as jim bowie and laurence harvey as william b.
Wayne was the star, producer, and director, and his. The long 3 hour and 12 minute movie not counting intermission was not historically accurate. That film, as you might already suspect, is the alamo 1960, directed by and starring the legendary john wayne. This epic film deals with how those men happened to be inside the missionnow a converted fortin the small village of san antonio, texas, and how this led to the tragedy at the alamo.
Not to be confused with the 2004 version starring billy bob thornton. Bill hunt at the digital bits has a bit more news on the status of john waynes the alamo 1960 i was up in l. The lineinthesand scene, where the alamo defenders elect to fight to the death, is just incredible. It goes without saying that any aid is appreciated. The film was nominated for best picture as was supporting actor chill wills his only academy. Aug 29, 2014 alamo the 1960 produced and directed by john wayne with an original screenplay from james edward grant the sheepman 1958 this overlong epic about the famous 1836 battle against impossible odds that one must never forget that took place in san antonio won an oscar for best sound. John wayne, richard widmark, frankie avalon, joseph calleia the legendary true story of a small band of soldiers who sacrificed their lives in hopeless combat against a massive army in order to prevent a tyrant from smashing the new republic of texas. The movie was filmed on location in texas and released by united artists. Restoration the alamo was produced as a large format 70mm 5 perf motion picture, with an original running time of approximately 192 minutes plus overture, entracte and exit music.
The choral music at the end of the film is touching and of course is found here on the cd also. Mgmuas dvd of john waynes dramatization of the famous, doomed stand contains the shorter theatrical cut of the film that was released by original distributor united artists. The restoration of john waynes the alamo movie duke. Home of the famous 1836 battle and to living history demonstrations and special events throughout the year, the beautiful 300yearold former spanish mission turned fortress is open yearround and is free for families, school groups and everyone to. Dimitri tiomkins oscar nominated score for the alamo 1960 has been released in quite a few different forms over the years. Dominick balletta all contributions are tax deductible. The alamo is a 1960 film that tells the legendary true story of a small band of soldiers who sacrificed their lives in hopeless combat against a massive army in order to prevent a tyrant from smashing the new republic of texas. Since the early 1800s, mexico had invited settlers from america and other parts of the world to come to mexico land was cheap and settlers were given many acres the constitution of 1824, signed by the mexican government, gave rights and freedom to these settlers most of these people settled in the province of tejas, later changed to texas. The alamo is a 1960 film that tells the legendary true story of a small band of soldiers who sacrificed their lives in hopeless combat against a massive army in order to prevent a tyrant from smashing the new republic of texas directed by john wayne. The alamo after restoration of the chapel but before. The alamo was available only in truncated form, such as the very good cd released by legacy columbia 23 tracks 66. The picture also stars richard widmark as jim bowie and laurence harvey as william b. Heres hoping the restoration of the roadshow version of the film is successful. Artificial the alamo itself has already been dramatically altered from its original appearance.
A restoration of the deteriorating print found in toronto, supervised by robert a. Army in 184748 and then again by the drt and the city in the early 1900s. Alamo and plaza restoration project continues to evolve. Republic is one of those words that makes me tight in the throat. It was the first directorial effort of john wayne, who also starred as davy crockett in the film, crockett, bowie, and the texas militia try to defend the alamo from general santa anna.
I thought it was very entertaining and made me do some research on the actual historical event doing my spare time i also liked the music that was scored by demitri tiomkin. The alamo 1960 isnt a fav of mine and it seems isnt a great film in most opinions, but it does have historic value in as far as it reflects certain social perspectives of its time on a key historic event and the participants therein. Factual in places, and fictional in others, historical sticklers may be irked at some of the events that are rearranged, or highly dramatized. After purchase of over a 100 movies from itunes and never a problem, and this being my first download from amazon, very disappointed. The mcardle notebooks dawn at the alamo the alamo after restoration of the chapel but before restoration of the convent jump to. Grant, john wayne, michael wayne, james edward grant. Alamo ist ein usamerikanischer spielfilm aus dem jahr 1960. The alamojohn wayne, richard widmark, laurence harvey, richard boone, chill wills, frankie avalon, linda cristal, ken curtis, joseph calleia, denver pyle, hank worden 1960. Alamo living historian george rollow stands by a threepound cannon during the conclusion of cannon fest, monday, oct. This retelling of the alamo story and the beginnings of texas independence from mexico is perhaps the most john wayne film ever made. With john wayne, richard widmark, laurence harvey, frankie avalon. Waynes insistence on choosing the alamo to be his first film as a director meant that the studio was unwilling. Picture, supporting actor, cinematography, sound winner, editing, score and song.
Save the alamo july 25, 2015 this may not have any effect on getting the film properly restored, but i would recommend to any who have liked this page, and want to see no film being destroyed by purposeful neglect as is the case with the alamo, then send an email to the library of congress requesting that the film be added to the national. The alamo is a 1960 american historicalwestern epic movie about the 1836 battle of the alamo. Army in 184748 and then again by the drt and the city in the. The 65mm theatrical elements of the alamo are some of the worst mid20th century film elements that ive ever had the unfortunate displeasure to examine. I inspected the original camera negative of of the alamo a couple of months ago. The reconstruction and restoration of john waynes the alamo memento vom 22. The site has been enshrined in the american consciousness through movies like john waynes 1960 the alamo, and it draws some 2. The film does little to explain the causes of the texas.
Despite what mgm has claimed officially, let me assure you, having now seen the tests firsthand which the studio has apparently not done yet for some strange reason and how weird is. Sorry to hear the actual state of things for a genuine restoration doesnt look good. Crockett goes on to equate the words resonant quality with the moment when a mans young son makes his first sound like a man, another highlight from david crocketts speech, included on this soundtrack to the alamo, waynes 1960 labor of love and boxoffice bust. The restoration of the alamo footprint, combined with a worldclass alamo museum and the current alamo chapel is the legacy that all texans especially the alamo defenders deserve. Tell mgm its time now to save john waynes the alamo. The linein the sand scene, where the alamo defenders elect to fight to the death, is just incredible. Daughters of the republic of texas battle over how to manage the. The alamo is a 1960 american historical epic and war film about the 1836 battle of the alamo produced and directed by john wayne and starring wayne as davy crockett. Media in category the alamo 1960 film this category contains only the following file. Jun 20, 2014 bill hunt at the digital bits has a bit more news on the status of john waynes the alamo 1960 i was up in l. The alamo 1960 movie simple english wikipedia, the free.
Jacob burns film center 405 manville road pleasantville, ny 10570 att. The alamo 1960 movie simple english wikipedia, the. Read on here robert posted a column here at the bits back in 2009 see this link, detailing exactly what would be required to restore this film to its proper glory. The agreement allows the glo and the alamo trust, inc. It is very important that alamo be noted on the checks. It was the first movie location built in texas, originally constructed for and best known as the setting for the alamo 1960, directed by john wayne and starring wayne, richard widmark, laurence harvey and frankie avalon. The story is of how these portrayed in in the film defended the alamo which was a mission, against over whelming odds against santa anna and the mexican army. Stars john wayne, and also directed by him as well. It was the first movie location built in texas, originally constructed for and best known as the setting for the alamo 1960, directed by john wayne and starring wayne, richard.
The alamo, american epic film, released in 1960, that was john waynes dream project about the battle of the alamo 1836. The green leaves of summer sung by the brothers four and. The alamo original soundtrack dimitri tiomkin songs. And obvious to any archival professional, harris told wells. I saw a 35mm print of the alamo at the arlington theatre in santa barbara in 1960 when i was studying photography at brooks and i did not find the film boring at all, frank. The filmtech forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual. Alamo plaza restoration project, alamo plaza, a star reborn. The historic convento and adjoining long barrack were physically changed by the u. The production was closed down and restarted at brackettville on highway 90, about 100 miles west of san antonio toward del rio, west texas, where wayne leased 400 acres of a 22,000 acre ranch belonging to one jt happy shahan, and the alamo was rebuilt. Dimitri tiomkin, tiomkin, dmitri the alamo 1960 amazon. San antonio continues to search for a way to remember the alamo in a more historically appropriate way than its present state. The picture also stars richard widmark as jim bowie. Alamo plaza restoration project, alamo plaza, a star.
The reconstruction and restoration of john waynes the alamo. Potter7 draft of the painting concept8 hymn of the alamo9 picture. The alamo soundtrack from 1960, composed by dimitri tiomkin. I like this alamo film, made in 1960 by john wayne. Originally running over 200 minutes in length, it lost approximately 35 minutes for its wide release. Select a notebook page 87 items1 letter of transmittal2 photo of h. The goal of the alamo plaza restoration project click to download a pdf of the alamo plaza executive summary is to enhance the visitors pilgrimage to the cradle of texas liberty by providing a historic atmosphere for personal reflection, inspiration, and learning. However, several scenes have been cut out of the directors favorite version in order to get the movie to a length that is at least approximately near. Well acted and a film well worth having giving a little history of the alamo. The alamo is a 1960 american historical epic and war film about the 1836 battle of the alamo. Joined mar 1, 2007 messages 7,761 reaction score 3,372 points 9,110 location new orleans real name allen. As of april 2007 all dvd releases feature the shorter general release version.
Alamo village is a movie set and tourist attraction north of brackettville, texas, united states. And the final assault on the alamo, in which each of the big three davy, bowie, and travis makes a heroic final stand, is breathtaking. It was a special event film distributed via roadshow with advance ticket sales. Probably there has been hardly any other film project that was as important to the duke john wayne as the alamo. Packed with hollywood heavyweights, john waynes the alamo 1960 was a motion picture near and dear to the dukes heart. Remember the alamoclassic film elements disintegrating. In 1836, 187 americans and texicans stood against the attack of santa anas 7,000man army for more than days.
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