MovieChat Forums > The Alamo (1960) Discussion > The real FULL version of The Alamo

The real FULL version of The Alamo

posted 16 years ago by rafencb
22 replies | jump to latest

For all you Alamo fans; there IS a full, uncut version of this movie. In short, it was released in 1989 by MGM/UA. It is a two-tape "Restored Original Director's Cut". The VHS number on the box is M302581. Based on the back of the container, the total running time is 3 hours and 22 minutes, which does not include a 40 minute documentary on the making of the movie. Oh, by the way, I have it and it is in WideScreen format! There was a book publised in 1989 called "The John Wayne Scrapbook" written by Lee Pfeiffer, where he indicated on page 91 of this book that, and I quote;"Over the years, both Wayne and Alamo buffs have relentlessly pursued an original print of the 192 minute version. The hope was to restore it to its original format. Sadly, the search has not yielded results. Ashley Ward, regarded as one of the world's leading authorities on the movie, did an exhaustive worldwide search for the missing footage. He was aided by noted film historian Ron Haver. Haver has accounted for every single 35mm and 70mm print of the long version and has verified that all were destroyed by 1979. They further say that the only remaining hope is that someone has a 16mm print of the complete version".
Obviously, the above mentioned quote is in error since I have a version that is 202 minutes; hence the FULL uncut version. There is a current DVD but it is only 162 minutes which is a full 40 minutes shorter.

If anyone would like to look up the facts from Lee Pfeiffer's book mentioned above, it is listed as ISBN 0-8065-1147-8 and is published by Carol Publishing Group, Editorial Offices, 600 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10022. In summation, why I have a 202 minute version versus the reputed 192 minute original version is there were many scenes omitted; therefore, I must have the complete REAL version unbeknownst to the world? My VHS of this classic is in pristine condition; even the jacket is in perfect condition since it has been wrapped in pastic and sealed for many years. I looked at it yesterday for the first time in 8 years and it is still as good as the day I bought it. If anyone would like to talk with me about this feel free.
Rance A. Nethken
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Payson, AZ 85541
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[–] ANightToRemember 16 years ago

I really hope they release the full on DVD. I have it on tape, but it's a hassle now.

I live in Texas, the home state of George W. Bush. I apologize.

[–] mallyapplegate 16 years ago

You do have the full version VHS tape of 202 minutes. There is also a 202 minutes version on laserdisc with the full uncut documentary. (I have two copies of the laserdisc just in case one gets damaged)
I doubt very much if we will ever see the original directors cut on DVD as the vault prints were damaged after the VHS & Laserdisc were made.(apparantly they were badly stored) The studio will not take the risk in restoring what prints are left due to the high cost of restoration.

[–] screenman 16 years ago

You lucky sods!

I've only ever seen the shortie, though I still enjoy it very much.

But surely - technology moving as it does - it must be possible to make a DVD from a Laserdisc version? I've got a turntable that can digitise my wobbly vinyl records into CD's.

[–] joekiddlouischama 10 years ago

I doubt very much if we will ever see the original directors cut on DVD as the vault prints were damaged after the VHS & Laserdisc were made.(apparantly they were badly stored) The studio will not take the risk in restoring what prints are left due to the high cost of restoration.

What a pity. Maybe the Film Foundation can spearhead a restoration effort (check out the names involved, if there are any questions about the leverage that the organization could potentially summon).

http://www.film-foundation.org/common/news/reports/detail.cfm?Classifi cation=report&QID=5435&ClientID=11004&TopicID=0&subnav =who&subnavtitle=who.gif

[–] dakotasurfer 16 years ago

There is a much nicer book out now called: The Alamo - A Visual Celebration of John Wayne's Classic Movie. You can find out more details on the JohnWayne.com forum. It's a newer book out by Lee Pfeiffer and Dave Worrall. It's also a numbered Limited Edition.

[–] daddyd-2 16 years ago

The version I just saw on TCM ran a total of 192 minutes but that does not include the overture, intermission, entr' acte and exit musical interludes which adds an additional ten minutes or thereabouts to the time. With those included, the film shown on TCM ran 3 hours and 22 minutes.

So when you see it listed as 192 minutes, that is the full length of the film itself and is just not including the extra musical portions. Which means that both times seen, 192 and 202 are correct.

And by the way, the version I saw on TCM was a very good print which means they do have a copy of the full original and they could use it to restore a digital copy to DVD IF they so choose. The big question would be, do they want too? I certainly hope they do.

[–] catfishjones-2 16 years ago

Check out www.thedigitalbits.com. They just ran an article on the 20th about the restoration of the movie and the upcoming re-release on dvd of two cuts of the film.

[–] Bilwick1 16 years ago

The new version will include a deleted scene from the night-before-the-assult sequence. After Jethro shakes hands with Bowie and says he's decided to stay in the Alamo, Bowie motions Crockett over and says, "Hey, Davy, get this--Jethro thinks I gave him his manumission paper, but actually it says I sold him back to Houston! Won't that be rich if he survives?" The two frontiersmen share a hearty laugh, and it helps lighten somberness of the moment.

[–] Blacksheepone 16 years ago

I have bot versions on DVD. One is the standard one with the documentary and the other is the "Road show" version I bought on the internet.I they do come out the a new one I can get rid of these.

[–] wtl471629 14 years ago

I hope they not only have the director's cut but also all of the scenes that weren't in that one.

[–] wtl471629 14 years ago

I also hope they make available the full screen version. The Encore Western Channel also didn't have that version without the wide screen. For example at the end when Mrs. Dickerson walks by Santa Anna in the wide screen version he took his hat off as she walked by but you can't hardly see him in the small screen version.

[–] wtl471629 14 years ago

Bilwick1 that would make sense because it would lighten the somberness of the moment but also it would be in Jethro's interest because he is an old man and would need someone to provide him a place to stay which no doubt General Houston would have taken care of him.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Pickleforkk 12 years ago

Sadly a restoration may not ever see the light of day due to MGM declining to fund the project. According to Robert Harris, the negative is currently in storage on its last legs, and if nothing is done soon it could be lost forever.

[–] schaffermatt54 10 years ago

According to a post by Robert A. Harris on the Home Theater a Forum for Friday, June 20, 2014:

“...for the record, the roadshow version of the film is gone, as far as film or theatrical is concerned. Only the general release version has a chance of being decently preserved, but not at full quality. Too late.”

[–] joekiddlouischama 10 years ago

According to a post by Robert A. Harris on the Home Theater a Forum for Friday, June 20, 2014:

“...for the record, the roadshow version of the film is gone, as far as film or theatrical is concerned. Only the general release version has a chance of being decently preserved, but not at full quality. Too late.”

Thanks for the update; again, that's a shame.

[–] Kia00 13 years ago

I remember!

[–] knight_hawk2002 10 years ago

Am I missing something as I have the full version of DVD? It wasn't officially released - I got a copy from a collector in the USA.

[–] marktayloruk 10 years ago

Would love to see 202 minutes; shown on Channel 5 yesterday with kid's birthday party scene cut out.

[–] JCS-3 8 years ago

has anyone tried this one? Is it better than the VHS edition?

http://www.cinemajohnsdvds.com/apps/webstore/products/show/6615290

[–] dalbrech 8 years ago

The issue is that there is not a print out there of the Road Show version that would make a clear high quality transfer to DVD.

[–] fnj-07126 8 years ago

That does NOT excuse refusing to release it. Whatever the achievable quality is, it would be infinitely better than NOTHING! Just dub from the best copy of the VHS, if nothing else.