The Alamo

Unable to talk mentor John Ford into ushering his dream project to the silver screen, star John Wayne decided to make his directorial debut with 1960's The Alamo, in which he stars as Colonel Davy Crockett, the frontiersman-turned-senator who inspires a mixed band of soldiers, Texican irregulars, and the leadership of William Travis (Laurence Harvey) and Jim Bowie (Richard Widmark) to take on Santa Anna's larger army in defense of the fortress Alamo. Wayne brings to the table a long education in filmmaking under the likes of Ford, Howard Hawks, and Henry Hathaway, and his measured control over the drama and skill at capturing battle action are commendable here (Ford headed-up some second-unit action crews). Boasting a handsome widescreen transfer and a nice Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack (highlighting Dimitri Tiomkin's score), the disc also includes a "making of" documentary. Sure to be popular in light of the recent, more historically accurate remake starring Dennis Quaid and Billy Bob Thornton, this is recommended. (T. Keogh)