MGM wants The Alamo (1960) to disentigrate

[claws]

Well, that is the longer roadshow version of The Alamo. Apparently, MGM didn't restore the extra film elements of the extended roadshow version because it was too expensive to do so back in 2009 (about $2m). They still don't have cash for it in 2024, and it seems like they refuse to license The Alamo out for restoration.

The internet cinephiles are outraged and urge everyone to contact MGM on their twitter and Facebook pages.

[RCMerchant]

f**k the Alamo. That movie sucks. 

[ER]

Impetus for a meditation on the impermanent of all things. And on human stupidity. And a bad movie.

[pacman000]

They made a standard-definition copy of the roadshow version in the late 90's, & they released it on LaserDisk & VHS. I thought the film had already deteriorated too much for them to get a new scan.

Didn't think the movie was bad the first time I saw it, but it is too long. Still, if the roadshow version still exists, a new scan would be a good thing, since it would be at a higher resolution (70mm vs 35mm.)

It's probably just a cost-benefit thing; they already have a usable copy of the wide-released version, & they doubt the full-version would make $2 million in a reasonable time, so they let the print languish. Sad, but understandable, & I can't make another person's decisions for them, even if that person is the head of a studio with a movie I want restored.

[Trevor]

Movies should always be preserved: many of the silent features made here from 1910 - 1930 no longer exist because they were destroyed after their screening contracts were complete 😳

[claws]

So there was political controversy surrounding The Alamo and John Wayne. I did not know