A Prayer Before Filming
The film "The Alamo", represented everything that John Wayne believed was fundamental to the United States: representative democracy ('Republic. I like the sound of the word'), patriotism and belief in God. Indeed, Wayne invited the Rev. Peter Rogers, a San Antonio priest, to pray on the set before major filming began:
"O, almighty God, centuries ago, Thou raised a magnificent mission - a harbor for all, of peace and freedom. This was the Alamo. Today, we ask Thy blessing, Thy help and Thy protection as once again history is relived in this production. We ask that this film "The Alamo", be the world's outstanding production. We ask this in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns without end, amen." Rogers asked that the film be "a tribute to the spirit of the men who built it, who lived in it, who died in it."
The movie's song, "The Green Leaves of Summer," echoes Ecclesiastes with "a time to be reapin', a time to be sowin'." As the credits roll, "The Ballad of the Alamo" recalls "the small band of soldiers" who "lie asleep in the arms of the Lord." Religious references purposely permeate the movie. In a fictional scene in which Crockett speaks his mind to a pretty woman, Wayne delivers the line "I may sound like a Bible beater, yellin' up a revival at a river-crossing camp meeting."
One of the most poignant scenes has Alamo defenders pondering their fate the night before the final assault. When a Tennessean claims there is no afterlife, just "tales for children. Bunkum and bosh," the Jocko character responds:
"I say this: I believe. I can never find a way to argue down you that don't believe. But I believe in the Lord God Almighty. All-knowing and all-forgiving. And I believe that good shall be triumphant in the end. And that evil shall be vanquished. I believe in a hereafter."
Thanks to Alamo Society founder William Chemerka for making a classic movie even more meaningful. And to John Wayne for inspiring us.
Article by William Chemerka in his quarterly, "The Alamo Journal" (March 2010, No. 156) The magazine is published by the Alamo Society (alamosociety.org).
The film "The Alamo", represented everything that John Wayne believed was fundamental to the United States: representative democracy ('Republic. I like the sound of the word'), patriotism and belief in God. Indeed, Wayne invited the Rev. Peter Rogers, a San Antonio priest, to pray on the set before major filming began:
"O, almighty God, centuries ago, Thou raised a magnificent mission - a harbor for all, of peace and freedom. This was the Alamo. Today, we ask Thy blessing, Thy help and Thy protection as once again history is relived in this production. We ask that this film "The Alamo", be the world's outstanding production. We ask this in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns without end, amen." Rogers asked that the film be "a tribute to the spirit of the men who built it, who lived in it, who died in it."
The movie's song, "The Green Leaves of Summer," echoes Ecclesiastes with "a time to be reapin', a time to be sowin'." As the credits roll, "The Ballad of the Alamo" recalls "the small band of soldiers" who "lie asleep in the arms of the Lord." Religious references purposely permeate the movie. In a fictional scene in which Crockett speaks his mind to a pretty woman, Wayne delivers the line "I may sound like a Bible beater, yellin' up a revival at a river-crossing camp meeting."
One of the most poignant scenes has Alamo defenders pondering their fate the night before the final assault. When a Tennessean claims there is no afterlife, just "tales for children. Bunkum and bosh," the Jocko character responds:
"I say this: I believe. I can never find a way to argue down you that don't believe. But I believe in the Lord God Almighty. All-knowing and all-forgiving. And I believe that good shall be triumphant in the end. And that evil shall be vanquished. I believe in a hereafter."
Thanks to Alamo Society founder William Chemerka for making a classic movie even more meaningful. And to John Wayne for inspiring us.
Article by William Chemerka in his quarterly, "The Alamo Journal" (March 2010, No. 156) The magazine is published by the Alamo Society (alamosociety.org).