Both well over 150 filmswhich starred John Wayne (The Marshal), it’s quite likely that the Western legend didn’t share the same level of passion for everyone. But the “Duke” was particularly passionate about one of his numerous projects: the battle epic Alamo from 1960.
Wayne didn’t just do that Main role of US national hero Davy Crockettbut also directing the film. However, his extraordinary efforts to finance the work had negative consequences for him personally, as Collider reports.
John Wayne invested a fortune in the Alamo and was broke afterward
As early as the late 1940s, Wayne came up with the plan to make a film about the Alamo Battle. However, the project ultimately failed because the budget was too high. But Wayne didn’t give up: with his Batjac Productions, a production company founded specifically in 1952 It should finally work now.
He hired James Edward Grant (The Black Rider) as screenwriter and signed a deal with United Artists. The studio guaranteed him a $2.5 million budget (which would be about $30 million today) on the condition that the Western star take the lead role in the film. He reluctantly agreed, even though he originally only wanted to direct.
Wayne received further support from Texas oil tycoons, who in return promised Texas as the filming location for the film. However, there was still not enough money, which is why the “Duke” now dug deep into his own pockets: He took out second mortgages and finally invested around $1.5 million.
Later it was rumored in Hollywood that Wayne practically went bankrupt due to the financial costs involved. But he himself seemed convinced that his passion project was worth every dollar. This is what he said in an interview after the premiere of Alamo: “We spent as much money as necessary to make this film the best it could be.“
John Wayne’s dream project flopped in the cinema, but won an Oscar
Wayne’s daughter Aissa later said the western was for her father “more than an obsession” and “the most personal project of his career” been. Despite Wayne’s undeniable passion for the Western epic, Alamo received only mixed reviews at the time. In addition, the film was unable to recoup its extremely high budget at the box office.
But there was still a small consolation for Wayne: at the 1961 Oscars, the Alamo nominated for a total of seven Oscars (including best film).. The work ultimately emerged as the winner in the sound category.
What is the Alamo about and where can the western be streamed?
John Wayne made the Alamo into a film historic Battle of the Alamowhich was fought in 1836 between Mexico and the then Republic of Texas.
You can watch a trailer for Alamo here:
Alamo – Trailer (English)
Under the leadership of Colonels William Travis (Laurence Harvey) and James Bowie (Richard Widmark), the Texan troops are holed up in the former mission station Fort Alamo. This represents the last obstacle for the invading Mexicans who want to take Texas.
Although US Colonel Davy Crockett (Wayne) and his men also join the fight, the Americans are hopelessly outnumbered. But they are prepared to do anything against the enemy for the independence of their republic. Even if it means her death.
You can currently only stream Alamo on Amazon Prime Video. The Western is available there to buy or rent.