During the Texas War of Independence of 1836 American frontiersman and pioneer Jim Bowie pleads for caution with the rebellious Texicans. They don't heed his advice since he's a Mexican citizen, married to the daughter of the Mexican vice-governor of the province and a friend to General Santa Anna since the days they had fought together for Mexico's independence. After serving as president for 22 years, Santa Anna has become too powerful and arrogant. He rules Mexico with an iron fist and he would not allow Texas to self-govern. Bowie sides with the Texans in their bid for independence and urges a cautious strategy, given Santa Anna's power and cunning. Despite the disagreement between the Texicans and Bowie regarding the right strategy they ask Bowie to lead them in a last-ditch stand, at Alamo, against General Santa Anna's numerically superior forces.
Production
Sets built for Wayne's Alamo, recycled like a Hollywood yard sale.
Acting
Sterling Hayden commits so hard you forget he's not actually Texan.
Costume
Santa Anna's peacock military realness deserves its own credit.
Director
Frank Lloyd
Sterling Hayden
Jim Bowie
Anna Maria Alberghetti
Consuelo de Quesada
Richard Carlson
William B. Travis
Arthur Hunnicutt
Davy Crockett
Ernest Borgnine
Mike Radin
J. Carrol Naish
General Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana
Ben Cooper
Jeb Lacey
John Russell
Lt. Dickinson
Virginia Grey
Mrs. Dickinson
Jim Davis
Ben Evans
Eduard Franz
Lorenzo de Quesada
Otto Kruger
Stephen F. Austin
Russell Simpson
The Parson
Roy Roberts
Dr. Summerfield
Slim Pickens
Abe
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was shot on the same sets John Wayne built for his 1960 Alamo epic, which sat unused for five years like Hollywood's most expensive backlot ghost town.
The film's sympathetic Santa Anna was rare for 1950s Texas mythology — though casting J. Carrol Naish (Irish-American) rather than an actual Mexican actor undercuts any progressive intent.
US
