The Alamo (1 Viewer)

[willyh]

I see that John Wayne's "The Alamo" is availble for under $10, but it lists the running time at 162 minute. The original theatrical release was 167 minute. I understand that there is a 192 minute director cut version on VHS. What is missing in the DVD from the theatrical release and does anyone know of plans to bring the longer roadshow version to DVD? I would prefer to wait for the roadshow version, if its even in the planning stages. Thanks.

 

[Douglas R]

Many of us would like to see the roadshow version of The Alamo on DVD and there was a long discussion about it on HTF when the DVD was first released. The roadshow version was issued on VHS and Laserdisc but apparently MGM somehow managed to ruin the print so it is no longer available for transferring to DVD. There was a lot of interesting material in the roadshow version which is not on the DVD including the Overture, Intermission and Epilogue music. There was talk (or hope) of doing a restoration which Robert Harris amongst others discussed but I don't know whether anything has come of that. It has to be said that the picture quality of the current short version is extremely good so I would recommend buying it because I doubt that we will see the roadshow version anytime soon.

 

[Justin Doring]

The roadshow version of The Alamo would be wonderful, but Robert A. Harris says the original materials are in terrible shape. I believe he's seeking funds for restoration, but it could be a long time before any work is done on it. Meanwhile, Ron Howard is in the pre-production stage of his $100 million plus re-make of The Alamo. :rolleyes
The reason the DVD release is a bit shorter than the running time of the standard version is because the idiots at MGM decided not to include Dimitri Tiomkin's Overture, Intermission, Entr'Acte, and Exit Music. Perhaps the geniuses thought the additional minutes would force them to compress the DVD further and mar the video quality. :rolleyes

 

[Brian E]

While I would buy a new release of this film I couldn't pass up the The Alamo/The Kentuckian two pack for $15 at Best Buy.

 

[John P Grosskopf]

Roadshow version ran 202 minutes.

This is also the LD boxset running time.

 

[Stephen L]

I thought I remeber in an old thread Robert Harris saying that this is the best we will get of the Alamo for a long time.Forgive me Mr.Harris if I'm wrong.Anyway I just picked this up at Costco last week for $8,99 and I'm quite happy with it.

 

[TomND]

This was shown on Turner Classic Movies two months ago in its original aspect ratio and at a running time of 202 minutes. How I love TCM!

 

[BrianP]

I just purchased a laser disc box set of the Alamo that includes the missing footage left off the DVD since a restored version doesn't look like it's coming soon. I also purchased the DVD when it was first released.

 

[John Sparks]

BrianP
Did you get the laser AC-3 version of the Alamo?

 

[BrianP]

I don't know since I didn't ask and am waiting for it in the mail. Only thing I know is it's widescreen box set with a 202 minute run time and was priced very cheap. I will let you know if it is AC-3 when it arrives.

 

[BrianP]

Got my Alamo box set today and found it is not AC-3 but Dolby surround.

 

[Rand]

There is no AC-3 version of the laser discs.

Yet another excellent reason to have a laser disc player. I alternate watching the dvd (better video, anamorphic) and the ld box set (restored footage makes for a better film, less choppy and more fleshed out characters).

 

[BrianP]

According to this auction at Ebay there does appear to be an AC-3 version of the Alamo available on laser disc.

 

[Mark_TS]

I am holding a copy of this (AC-3)in my hands as I type: 3 disc box, 202 mins. MGM ML 106354- which may or may not be the cat # of the original version.
Remastered, I think, in spring of 1998. pressed in Japan. Bought in the Summer of same year for $50, as TOWER/SF were starting to dump their LD inventory.
Probably had a very limited release.