The Alamo

Synopsis: In 1836, General Santa Anna and the Mexican Army is sweeping across Texas. To be able to stop him, General Sam Houston needs time to get his main force into shape. To buy that time he orders Colonel William Travis to defend a small mission on the Mexicans' route at all costs. Travis' small troop is swelled by groups accompanying Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett, but as the situation becomes ever more desperate Travis makes it clear there will be no shame if they leave while they can.
Director(s): John Wayne
Production: Batjac Productions
  Won 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 8 nominations.
 
IMDB:
6.9
Rotten Tomatoes:
50%
NOT RATED
Year:
1960
162 min
1,371 Views


# "Green Leaves Of Summer"

- General Houston's arrived, gentlemen.

- Refreshments?

Thank you, Doc.

71 cold, windy, rump-bumping miles...

since yesterday!

You wouldn't have it

any other way, Lightfoot.

Company, stand to!

Attention!

As you are.

- Don Esparza!

- Mi general!

General Houston, may I

order the men to bivouac?

- The forced marches took it out of them.

- Foot soldiers may.

Feed the others, care for their horses...

...and tell them there'll be

another march within the hour.

Yes, sir! Sergeant!

- Doctor.

- Sam.

- Dickinson.

- General, sir.

General, it ain't none of my business,

but you ain't ate since yesterday.

I'll sit it on the table here.

Where's Jim Bowie?

When certain people ain't ate,

they're meaner than a bobcat!

Mr Dickinson...

I asked you a question.

Where's Jim Bowie?

He's indisposed, sir.

By God, if you mean drunk,

you say drunk, sir!

He's drunk, sir.

- What's your name?

- James Butler Bonham.

In Travis's command, sir.

Hm.

Neill, you go north with me.

Colonel Travis will be in command here.

- Major, sir.

- Colonel Travis.

- I'll send the commission through.

- Thank you, General.

- Let me assure you I'll do...

- We'll dispense with the amenities. Now...

I've been given command

of the armies of Texas.

But the fly in the buttermilk is

there ain't no armies in Texas!

A few good friends and some willing men.

I'm gonna have to knock

some of those men into an army...

...and to do that I need time.

You people right here on the real ground

are gonna have to buy me that time.

You have to keep Santa Anna

off the back of my neck...

- ... until I can get in shape to fight him.

- So you're ordering me to...

Dammit! I am ordering you to command!

How and what you do is your problem!

But, Sam, what about Jim Bowie?

Jim Bowie, as Mr Bonham

has informed us, is indisposed.

Yes, sir. But I'd like to point out...

...that Jim Bowie is leading

a hundred volunteers...

...whereas young Travis here

commands less than 30 regulars.

General Houston, I think

we oughta discuss this...

Clear the room! Gentlemen, I would have

a word with Mr Travis if you'll excuse us.

Con permiso.

Mr Travis, were you going to

complain to me about Jim Bowie?

Not complain, sir.

Of course Jim Bowie's drunk.

He took this town from General Cos.

He fought a battle.

And now he's drunk.

Seems kinda natural to me.

Or perhaps you question something

other than Bowie's drinking.

Are you gonna tell me that he's got

a lot of acreage around here?

That he's married into

the Mexican aristocracy?

Yes, sir.

I would trust Jim Bowie with my life.

More than that, I would trust him

with the lives of my family.

And more than that, I would trust him

with the life of Texas.

- Sir.

- That's all, Travis.

Travis!

I've never been able to like you.

But you are another one of the very few

men I would trust with the life of Texas.

For that, thank you, sir.

And it may very well be...

...that that life rests in your hands now.

Jethro! Is that you?

Yes, sir, General. This is me.

How are you still alive?

You had white hair when I was a boy

and now we look the same age.

Yes, sir.

But I've been a temperate and

God-fearing man all my life, sir.

Well, I guess my past is out!

Jethro, you tell your Mr Jim

I'm sorry to hear about his illness.

I wish him a speedy recovery.

And assure him of my undying affection.

Yes, sir.

And, General Sam, sir, he love you too.

And them words of yours

gonna put him right back on his feet.

- He got a colic, you know.

- I heard.

In the stomach.

Stay temperate, old man!

Neill!

Column right! Forward!

Yo-ho!

Take care, men!

You all right, Mr Jim?

Yeah.

Sit down, Jeth.

Ohh!

- Can I get you something, sir?

- No, no.

You just sit there.

Houston's gone?

Yes, sir.

Come and gone and me lying drunk.

Colonel Travis! Bowie's approaching!

Halt!

Carry on, sentry!

Recall work parties!

Prepare for flag ceremony!

Detail! Forward... march!

Present... arms!

Order... arms!

We stand here ready to do our duty...

...and cognisant of the will of God.

Captain Dickinson!

Dismiss the ceremony!

And, Captain, inform the men that

work details will be dismissed at 4.30...

...in order that family men may gather

their dependants within these walls.

Yes, sir!

- Lieutenant Blake!

- Yes, sir!

You will see to the quartering

of Bowie's volunteers.

Yes, sir!

You men will follow me!

Jeth, Blake'll show you

to our quarters. Set 'em up.

Yes, sir.

Colonel Bowie.

Santa Anna's got an army of 7,000 men.

So?

Well, you ain't gonna try to defend

this broken-down church...

...against 7,000 battle-hard troops?

Colonel Bowie.

You were drunk at the last officers' call.

And I would rather postpone

our discussion until the next.

At which time I will explain my plans...

...and give orders for

the implementing of those plans.

Hey, Jim!

Why do we have to work like this?

I volunteered to fight, not to build no fort.

How come we have to work like this?

Because old Sam told Travis,

Travis told me...

...and I'm telling you!

Somebody's comin' hellbent for leather,

sinking spurs at every jump!

Halt!

Corporal of the guard!

Post No. 1!

No civilians may enter the fort,

Seor Seguin. I'm sorry.

Juan! Silverio!

Let 'em through, Dick!

Captain Dickinson!

Yes, sir.

- Come to my office, please, Captain.

- Yes, sir.

Tengo noticias de Santa Anna.

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James Edward Grant

James Edward Grant (July 2, 1905 – February 19, 1966) was an American short story writer and screenwriter who contributed to more than fifty films between 1935 and 1971. He collaborated with John Wayne on twelve projects, starting with Angel and the Badman (which he also directed) in 1947 through Circus World in 1964. Support Your Local Gunfighter was released in 1971, five years after his death. more…

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Submitted on August 05, 2018

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