This is an epic movie of the Battle of Alamo directed and produced by John Wayne. John Wayne also plays Davy Crockett. Richard Widmark portrays Jim Bowie and Laurence Harvey plays Colonel William Barret Travis. Smitty, the young man sent away to get reenforcements is played by Frankie Avalon. Two of John Wayne's kids are in the movie. Patrick portrays a member of Colonel Houston's staff and his daughter portrays a small girl who survives the final attack. His son Michael Wayne is credited as a co-producer. Another daughter also played a townsfolk as did his wife, Pilar. In the move there is a budding love interest thrown in between Crockett and Flaca (Linda Cristal). Crockett sends her away to be safe. There were women in the church who were spared. All the defenders were killed, about 200. There were 400-600 casualties of San Ana's troops.
This movie is not totally accurate in its portrayal of the Alamo. However it has some good points. It shows a very large Mexican Army. It shows lots of marching and pageantry. And it has some intense battle scenes.
The public loved the movie, the fourth highest grossing movie for the year. Critics were not so kind. It did eventually make a profit, but not initially as it has lots of cost over runs. This is the only film Wayne directed and it is considered more a sketch about Wayne and his political feelings and o0inions than about the Alamo.
