In Depth

The Alamo: The Movie(s)

At least one weighty tome, Frank Thompson's Alamo Movies, has been devoted to the plethora of films featuring the events that occurred at San Antonio's most famous site. Some outtakes:

Most famous movie about the Alamo not actually shot at the Alamo: The Alamo (1959), starring John Wayne as Davy Crockett. Although it has no San Antonio presence, it was shot in Texas. Wayne considered shooting the film in Mexico, but was told it wouldn't be distributed in Texas if he did.

Latest controversy-ridden attempt to tell the story of the Alamo: A 2004 Disney version, also called The Alamo, that was originally supposed to be directed by Ron Howard but was eventually only coproduced by him. Directed by John Lee Hancock and starring Dennis Quaid, Billy Bob Thornton, and Jason Patric, among others, it was not as big a flop as the battle, perhaps, but not a winner, either.

Most accurate celluloid depiction of the Alamo story (and also the largest): Alamo -- The Price of Freedom, showing at the San Antonio IMAX Theater Rivercenter. According to writer and historian Stephen Harrigan in an interview on National Public Radio, it's "90% accurate."

Least controversial film featuring the Alamo: Miss Congeniality, starring Sandra Bullock and Benjamin Bratt. A beauty pageant presided over by William Shatner takes place in front of the shrine to the Texas martyrs.

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				Frommer's San Antonio & Austin, 7th Edition Author: David Baird Pub Date: May 07, 2007 Price: $16.99				Related Titles: Arizona For Dummies, 4th Edition Frommer's American Southwest, 3rd Edition Frommer's Arizona 2008