Alamo: The Price of Freedom

After 18 years it was a real pleasure to finally get to see this. Having made some of the equipage,horse equipment and lancer helmets I am probably biased but overall it was a very well done . The experience of seeing seeing it in the I-Max format with the full sound track and the large screen adds greatly to the effect.

The research that we did for the equipment was more of a project in 1988 we had to access books and paintings to get a start. This is much easier today with the internet.

The location adjacent to the Alamo adds to the impact but this is a film that could stand alone in any venue.

At only 45 minutes long, this still remains one of the better Alamo films. The scenery is breathtaking, especially on IMAX. The costumes are great and probably the most historically accurate ones put on screen. Casey Biggs is the standout as Travis. Bowie and Crockett get less screen time in comparison. Don Swayze also gives a good performance as James Butler Bonham. The theme music is excellent and the battle sequences are well done. It's got a tear-jerker montage of an ending. A great piece of history that isn't told enough and is rarely as told as well as it is here. Highly recommended.

Rip-roaring patriotism it ain't- but in the splendours of IMAX, the uneasily protracted short film is immeasurably aided by a rousing score and some gorgeous photography. I believe this was shot in Brackettville, Texas with the barely standing set built by Batjac for John Wayne's 1960 "Alamo" epic. Merrill's direction is hardly urgent and the paper-thin Boy's Life view of history is disappointingly played out. That said, if you can experience the film in San Antonio at the Imax theatre near the actual bastion of freedom (as I did there and in Florida) the experience is much more effective. (B-)

This is a very well done film and I gave it the highest rating. It is a wonder to see and is best at the UNCUT version and not the heavily edited version at the Rivercenter Imax in San Antone. This film should be made available to all and to schools on DVD and not hogged by the Imax in San Antonio. Most of us can't afford to visit San Antonio to see it. So I hope they do release it on DVD and video and if they do it has to be the uncut version. It is much better than the version you see now.

Living in the San Antonio area, I've seen this film several times. It is played daily at the IMAX on the famous riverwalk. If you visit San Antonio, it's important that you see this film. Preferably before you actually go inside the Alamo. The film brings out the carnage and sacrifice that was laid down by both sides. Mexico, as was their right, was trying to quell a revolt. The Texans, on the other hand, lost their faith with the government and sought independence through the force of arms.

Visiting San Antonio and touring the missions isn't like going to St. Louis and viewing the arch. It's something special. After all, the Alamo stood before New York existed.

Apart from all the other tourist activities, viewing, "The Alamo: Price of Freedom," is as important as having "barbacoa" on a weekend morning. Viva Travis! Viva Texas!