The Alamo (1960 film) film depicts the Battle of the Alamo and the events leading up to it. Sam Houston leads the forces fighting for Texas independence and needs time to build an army. The opposing Mexican forces, led by General Santa Anna, are numerically stronger and also better armed and trained. Nevertheless, the Texans have spirit and morale remains generally high. Lieutenant Colonel William Travis is tasked with defending the Alamo, a former mission in San Antonio. Jim Bowie comes with reinforcements and the defenders dig in. Meanwhile, Davy Crockett arrives with a group of Tennesseeans. Santa Anna's armies arrive and surround the
The Alamo (1960 film) James Edward Grant. Roberts and Olson describe his direction as "competent, but not outstanding." Widmark complained that Wayne would try to tell him and other actors how to play their parts which sometimes went against their own interpretation of characters. Filming began on September 9, 1959. Some actors, notably Frankie Avalon, were intimidated by rattlesnakes. Crickets were everywhere, often ruining shots by jumping on actors' shoulders or chirping loudly. A bit player, LeJean Ethridge, died in a domestic dispute during filming and Wayne was called to testify at an inquest. Harvey forgot that a firing cannon has a recoil; during