Customer Reviews

Viva Max! [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

With "Viva Max!" director Jerry Paris(best known for directing numerous episodes of "The Dick Van Dyke Show")took the skills he had finely tuned for television(sharp, clever, fast-paced comedy)and brought them to The Big Screen. What makes this film such a stand-out from his work in television is that he was successfully able to combine these said skills with social and political themes, creating a film that is both hysterically funny and fast-paced, yet filled with MUCH "Food For Thought".

As a person who hails from BOTH the cultures(Texas Anglo and Mexican-American)depicted in this story, I could relate to the REAL significance of this film. Upon initial viewing, one may only see it as a clever, fast-paced comedy, well-acted by a STERLING cast(indeed, I think John Astin's performance as Sgt. Valdez ranks among the FINEST of his ENTIRE career).

Upon REPEATED viewings however, one can start to recognize FAR MORE to both script and cast of characters, than was initially apparent. The DEPTH of personality(particularly in Astin's and Ustinov's characters)simply DEMANDS repeated viewings to REALLY appreciate. They are complex:both inept and ludicrous, yet oddly courageous, stoic and ultimately WISE in their "Military Conquest" of Anglo-America!

Comedian Jonathan Winters turns in THE performance of a lifetime as the good-natured, befuddled brigadeer general of the Texas National Guard, chosen as a liason between the Mexican Army and the Texas Anglos.

Want to know what Texans are REALLY like? FORGET "King Of The Hill" and WATCH THIS FILM!

This was PBS' Jim Lehrer's first book. The movie, now a video, starred some greats of the past. One almost has to feel sad for General Maxmillian at the end of the story but he most certainly 'saves face' and becomes a hero to his men. One of the most enjoyable books I have ever read and absolutely one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. You'll watch it again and again. Hope you'll tell me I was right!

Others have mentioned outstanding performances by Peter Ustinov and Jonathan Winters. I'll also call out John Astin, Harry Morgan, Alice Ghostley and Keenan Wynn -- all fabulous character actors who add terrific depth to the film.

It's interesting that this '60s cold war spoof remains relevant today. Border security, illegal immigrants, right-wing paranoia and paramilitaries are all there, and all still in the news.

This is not a great comedy in the vein of "Dr Strangelove", but it's certainly a very good one, of the same quality as "The Russians are Coming".

Film gets four stars, but the VHS print gets three (or maybe two and a half). My complaint (and it's not a minor one) is that the VHS seems to have been made from the print edited for TV, and thus the word that the whole story turns on has been silenced in this version. The insult hurled at the general was that his men would not even follow him into a whore house. The word "whore" was cut out of this print, leaving a meaningless sentence and a weak insult that doesn't motivate the story. You'll have to fill in the word yourself, when the time comes.

Even with that glaring flaw, it's worth searching out the videotape. I don't know that this one would be attractive enough to a studio for reissue on DVD, but it would sure be nice to see it in widescreen, with better color and with the offending word restored.

Viva Max! has been one of my favorite films since I caught it on late-night TV in the 1970's. The Mexican General (Ustinov) cannot impress his beloved by being just who he is, so he develops a plan to retake the Alamo to show her he does have the respect of his men. Peter Ustinov, John Astin, Harry Morgan, Jonathan Winters, Keenan Wynn, Pamela Tiffon, Alice Ghostly, and Kenneth Mars make this one of the funniest films ever made. I spent years trying to see it again. When I found a VHS copy at a Four Star Video outlet I was ecstatic! When they offered to sell me the one and only copy they had, I couldn't believe my ears. I bought it and have been turning people on to this superb classic for over 20 years. I've made a DVD copy and put the VHS away for safe keeping. I see they're going for $30-$50 now. I paid $6.

Funny and enjoyable movie! Item in good shape!

Its been 40 years since I saw this movie. It left an impression that I always remembered. For some reason it is not shown on TV. Watching the one clip on You Tube there is an element of Don Quixote in it as you can hear in the Hugo Montenegro soundtrack, as in the march song. Looking for the DVD.

"Viva Max" is an excellent comedy movie. We used to have a copy and it disappeared so we ordered a used one from Amazon. It arrived in good shape and we have enjoyed watching it again. Thank you........

I loved the story. I was living in San Antonio when this film was made. I watched it being made on TV.

Fantastic what if story. The picked only serious actors for this politically correct film on manifest destiny. Peter Ustinov is General Maximilian Rodrigues de Santo. Although the story revolves around him many others help carry the story such as John Astin Sergeant Valdez who keeps the general out of trouble and Jonathan Winters as General Billy Joe Hallson of the National Guard.
This film was actually made in San Antonio. Written by Lehrer, James

Basic story is Mexican general is going to retake the Alamo as an act of heroism for his men.

Viva Max! is a dull, sometimes boring comedy. Filmed on location at the Alamo then relocated in Italy due to angry protesters interference in production, this movie stars Peter Ustinov as a Mexican General trying to re-capture the Alamo. Although Ustinov is great as the bumbling General, the only actor that could breath life into this movie was Jonathan Winters. Although Winters is at his best improvising comedy routines, he still manages to create some fairly funny scenes in this film. This film is a must-have for Ustinov and Winters fans. Otherwise, it bites.