Viva Max!

I have not seen this movie since I saw it in the Drive-in when it was first released and I was a mere 9 years old. Yet, despite this, it amazes me that I can recall little snippets from this movie and the theme song has NEVER LEFT MY BRAIN! If that isn't a sign that a movie can have an impact, nothing is.

There's a chance that if I were to see it today, I might say, 'Gee, I guess that was amusing' and shrug it off, but I doubt it. I will have to watch for this movie and see it again and find out if I find it as hilarious today as I did then.

With a cast like this, odds are in favor of me enjoying it even more today.

My father rented this on 16mm many years ago and I remember it well, particularly Ustinov and the music. I recently found a print and it is all I thought it to be, and that is just a gentle smile of a movie, no BIG laughs, good cast and a little premise of a plot. The jokes often work and there is even some drama along the way. In particular, Kenneth Mars plays a frightening role indeed. But we are among friends - Jonathan Winters (always fun), Keenan Wynn, Alice Ghostly and others whom we have seen a dozen times over. This forgotten film sticks with you as time passes so if you ever catch it, have a cup of coffee with some cinematic friends and at the end you will even say VIVA USTINOV.

This movie was a total wreck it should never have been produced it is so demeaning and really really an ill disrespect to all Raza.

I can enjoy comedy and I can enjoy a good book but when it comes to something that is a total disregard for quite frankly what really happened at the Alamo it's upsetting I would've understood a more definitive way to take back the Alamo would've been a replay with the real narratives.

If you love Jonathan Winters, Harry Morgan and Peter Ustinov you shouldn't miss this send up to nationalism and its short comings. However, if you find jokes about KKK members, who can't find white sheets because the local merchant only carries flower printed bedding, offensive then maybe this film is not for you.

As a former Texan who loves and can still laugh at some of the larger than life historical figures that make up the Texas Mystic, I can only say this was a fun film, and should not be missed even if it never makes it to DVD. I recalled this film fondly when watching the history textbook discussion at the beginning of Lone Star, and during my many viewings of Miss Congeniality too. This one's not only for those who have been to the Alamo, but will be extra fun for those who have.

Viva Max is a mildly diverting but inconsequential piece of fluff whose main idea – the retaking of the Alamo by the Mexicans 130 years after they famously failed to oust Davy Crockett and his mates – just doesn't have strong enough legs to carry it much beyond a 20-minute skit. Peter Ustinov – an undoubted talent, but not one that was probably not best-suited to film – just about avoids slipping into broad caricature. His character is inspired by wounded personal pride rather than national fervour, which effectively shuts off a possibly richer vein of humour, but Ustinov does at least manage to make him kind of believable within the context of the film. There is even an element of pathos toward the climax in the relationship between him and his loyal sergeant (John Astin – probably the best thing about this). Jonathan Winters, Harry Morgan and Keenan Wynn clearly don't have Ustinov's keen eye for emphasising the few interesting aspects in their broadly drawn characters and therefore resort to broad farce which weakens things considerably. This one's unlikely to appeal to any casual viewer born after 1970.