THE LAST COMMAND-1955-Jim Bowie
(Sterling Hayden) arrives in the Texas/Mexican territory just in time
for an uprising of Texicans against Mexico. William Travis (Richard
Carlson) tries to convince a committee to resist Mexico's iron fist.
When Santa Ana (J. Carroll Nash) rejects the Texicans demands Austin
(Otto Kurger) decides it's time to take up arms against them. But
when his wife and kid die Bowie becomes a wanderer. Later he and his
small group (including Jim Davis and Slim Pickens) decide to fight.
Ernest Borgnine is a tough guy named Mike who has a knife fight with
Bowie at the beginning of the story and later they become friends.
Edward Franz (THE FOUR SKULLS OF JONATHAN DRAKE) is the Mexican
representative living with The Texicans. Anna Maria Albergetti (an
actress I only remember for doing salad dressing TV commercials in
the late '60's)is the senorita love interest who comes between Bowie
and Travis. Things really get rowdy when Davey Crockett (Arthur Hunnicutt) shows up.
Great battle finale at The Alamo. I won't reveal what happens...
Roy Roberts, Virginia Grey, John Russell and Morris Ankrum also have roles.
THE LAST COMMAND was once of the most expensive pictures ever produced by the low budget Republic Pictures studio. It was suppose to star John Wayne as Bowie but he also wanted to direct it. However when the studio hired the workman like Frank Lloyd (IF I WERE KING, BLOOD ON THE SUN) instead Wayne bolted. He'd get his chance to star in and direct his own version several years later with THE ALAMO (some argue THE LAST COMMAND is more historically accurate).
This version has lots going for it. Action, a strong cast and good direction.
Here's Lorne Greene's version of the historical battle:
Thanks for reading!
No comments:
Post a Comment