Jim Lehrer (of PBS journalism fame) wrote a slight, comic novel turned into "Viva Max," a slight, comic movie with a remarkable cast.
Russian-rooted English actor Peter Ustinov plays a Mexican general (it's called acting, folks) determined to retake the Alamo.
John Astin (almost always reliable) is Max's able assistant. And, by the way, the only one on either side who comes to the General's little war with ammunition.
Americans include Harry Morgan, Jonathan Winters and a gung-ho Kenneth Mars.
This film could not be made today because of p.c. Censors. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? That depends on how invested you are in censorship and your views on the ability of gifted actors to play outside their own nationalistic boxes. P.c.-ism seems to oppose nationalism but likes chaining people to their type in carefully-Balkanized divisions. That's one of the myriad contradictions in its code that lets p.c.-ers say "Gotcha" whatever you do so they're always justified. Sort of like when accused witches were thrown in ponds and were deemed innocent if the didn't float.
This movie is like unto "Dr. Strangelove" and "The Russians are Coming, the Russians Are Coming."
"Dr. Strangelove"! I hear you cry. Am I saying this is a work of genius? No, I'm not saying that. I'm saying the message (if I may use such a godawful term) is similar. Of course, in "Doctor Strangelove" no one tried to stand in front of the message shouting "Look at me!" by condemning Peter Bull for using a Russian accent (or the great Peter Sellers for adopting an American one).
It's hardly "Doctor Strangelove" in quality, but it's one of a spate of little movies on a similar theme of why can't we just get along? And I think this movie has the final word on that line, which is my title.
Are the Mexicans held up for ridicule? Some. These, anyhow. But the Americans get it worse. And there's a little thread running through it that these are Chinese Communists invading the U. S. one of the best-kept secrets of the Cold War is that the Soviets and Chinese were more likely to start bombing each other. They even had an underreported scrap or two. Because Communists and Socialists can't get along with anyone, even Communists and Socialists of other denominations. Look at erstwhile allies the Soviet Socialists and the National Socialists.
I won't say "Viva Max" is a good movie. I won't say it's a bad movie. I won't say it's worth watching. Such determinations are invariably subjective and this movie, perhaps, is more subjective than most.
It depends on how open you are to the humor of former times. In this case, the Carnaby-Street, anything-goes, flower-power 1960s. This movie springs firmly from that time and is perhaps suitable to no other.
Russian-rooted English actor Peter Ustinov plays a Mexican general (it's called acting, folks) determined to retake the Alamo.
John Astin (almost always reliable) is Max's able assistant. And, by the way, the only one on either side who comes to the General's little war with ammunition.
Americans include Harry Morgan, Jonathan Winters and a gung-ho Kenneth Mars.
This film could not be made today because of p.c. Censors. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? That depends on how invested you are in censorship and your views on the ability of gifted actors to play outside their own nationalistic boxes. P.c.-ism seems to oppose nationalism but likes chaining people to their type in carefully-Balkanized divisions. That's one of the myriad contradictions in its code that lets p.c.-ers say "Gotcha" whatever you do so they're always justified. Sort of like when accused witches were thrown in ponds and were deemed innocent if the didn't float.
This movie is like unto "Dr. Strangelove" and "The Russians are Coming, the Russians Are Coming."
"Dr. Strangelove"! I hear you cry. Am I saying this is a work of genius? No, I'm not saying that. I'm saying the message (if I may use such a godawful term) is similar. Of course, in "Doctor Strangelove" no one tried to stand in front of the message shouting "Look at me!" by condemning Peter Bull for using a Russian accent (or the great Peter Sellers for adopting an American one).
It's hardly "Doctor Strangelove" in quality, but it's one of a spate of little movies on a similar theme of why can't we just get along? And I think this movie has the final word on that line, which is my title.
Are the Mexicans held up for ridicule? Some. These, anyhow. But the Americans get it worse. And there's a little thread running through it that these are Chinese Communists invading the U. S. one of the best-kept secrets of the Cold War is that the Soviets and Chinese were more likely to start bombing each other. They even had an underreported scrap or two. Because Communists and Socialists can't get along with anyone, even Communists and Socialists of other denominations. Look at erstwhile allies the Soviet Socialists and the National Socialists.
I won't say "Viva Max" is a good movie. I won't say it's a bad movie. I won't say it's worth watching. Such determinations are invariably subjective and this movie, perhaps, is more subjective than most.
It depends on how open you are to the humor of former times. In this case, the Carnaby-Street, anything-goes, flower-power 1960s. This movie springs firmly from that time and is perhaps suitable to no other.