I really wish this was a better film than it was. A satire on Texas nationalism and all the ridiculousness surrounding the Alamo. Ustinov, Astin, Winters, Morgan, all great comedic actors. What a waste.
Start with the terrible decision to have very obviously white actors play Mexicans. The makeup doesn't do a thing to make them believable. The accents are thick and it seems like none of them have ever been around an actual Mexican in their lives. They sound like what they are, whites imitating whites doing an insulting version of Spanish speakers.
There is not one single Latino in the whole thing. Look at the cast and you see they were all played by Italians and Jewish actors. It's just not believable they couldn't find Mexicans in Los Angeles and Texas, not even to play extras.
There are moments that are slightly amusing, mocking a militia group and the whole notion that the Alamo was heroic or noble. Even that is undone by poor direction that's usually off and undercuts the comedy.
Start with the terrible decision to have very obviously white actors play Mexicans. The makeup doesn't do a thing to make them believable. The accents are thick and it seems like none of them have ever been around an actual Mexican in their lives. They sound like what they are, whites imitating whites doing an insulting version of Spanish speakers.
There is not one single Latino in the whole thing. Look at the cast and you see they were all played by Italians and Jewish actors. It's just not believable they couldn't find Mexicans in Los Angeles and Texas, not even to play extras.
There are moments that are slightly amusing, mocking a militia group and the whole notion that the Alamo was heroic or noble. Even that is undone by poor direction that's usually off and undercuts the comedy.