A Mark Carliner Production. Copyright 18 December 1969 by Commonwealth United Entertainment, Inc. and Cine Nova Ltd. Released in the U.S.A. by Commonwealth United: 18 December 1969. U.K. release through Commonwealth United: floating from July 1970. 8,311 feet. 92 minutes. (Available from Amazon on an IDA Films NTSC DVD).SYNOPSIS: Leading a small force of ill-assorted, ill-disposed troops across the United States border from Mexico, General Maximilian Rodrigues De Santos is planning to make a gesture more triumphant than appearing in an annual parade. He takes his grumbling "army", held together mainly by the untiring efforts of faithful, if none too scrupulous, Sergeant Valdez, to the city of San Antonio; and there, barely squeezing through the gates before closing time, he seizes the Alamo, now a shrine for flocks of tourists, two of whom are taken prisoner. San Antonio's Chief of Police, George Sylvester, and National Guard commander, Billy Joe Hallson, fail to move Max with threats or pleas. Eventually, fire-eating regular army General LaComber is called in to storm the Alamo, while inside the fortress one of Max's prisoners -- Paula Whitland, a young student — is rather fruitlessly trying to persuade Max that his motives for stealing the relic were revolutionary rather than romantic. VIEWER'S GUIDE: A borderline case which just squeezes in under the wire of suitability for general exhibition. COMMENT: An entertaining bit of nonsense that will delight Ustinov's many fans, this movie also comes equipped with many fascinating exteriors, actually photographed in San Antonio (and then expertly joined with interiors filmed a couple of worlds away in Rome's Cinecitta Studios). Brilliantly directed by Jerry Paris who makes it seem that all the principals are really enjoying themselves in tailor-made roles. In fact, the scenario is very Cleverly written with all the variously intriguing characters and sub-plots coming together for a rousingly satisfying conclusion. Observantly and wittily directed with wonderfully effective use of all the actual locations, the movie's top-drawer technical credits also include an outstandingly apposite music score, astute photography and most agreeably sharp film editing.ANOTHER VIEW: Directed against such alluring targets as America's historical, civic and military pomposities, "Viva Max!" is a comic broadside more often scattering confetti than buckshot. — Monthly Film Bulletin.

One of my all time favorites and I'm a Daughter of the Republic of Texas! The views inside the Alamo and those on the streets of San Antonio are accurate and evocative. The actual history of the Alamo is one that should not be overlooked and this lighthearted tribute is among the most congenial.

James Lehrer's novel becomes sporadically funny modern-day military-takeover satire featuring a band of Mexican soldiers and their blustery Brigadier General who enter the States by way of Texas and assume control of the Alamo. For the first three quarters of an hour, a sprightly, silly/funny comedy with exaggerated accents...but the plot has nowhere special to go and quickly peters out. Pamela Tiffin (in a blonde wig, and resembling Shelley Fabares) plays a graduate student who is taken hostage and falls for Ustinov, while souvenir shopper Alice Ghostley inexplicably thinks the U.S. has been invaded by the Chinese. Ustinov probably hoped this would be a colorful showcase for his acerbic brand of humor--sending up the outrageous nature of human behavior--but his jokes are too obvious, and the character actors in bit parts nearly steal his thunder. ** from ****

What a hoot! Wa-a-a-ay too subtle a depiction of Texas characters for a Scotsman to understand. Then there's the action: Border crossing? - If only it were this stringent... San Antonio - yep. Mexican Army - Yeah: been there, seen them. State Department characters - figures (in fact, it's rather flattering to our "diplomats".) Other images: El General riding his horse, while the soldados walk; the "army" riding the bus into San Antonio - PERFECT. John Astin as El Sargente - que bueno! Then there are the main characters: Peter Ustinov - perfect for the role. Pamela Tiffin - The Baylor coed - exactly as shown. Thumbs up for Viva Max from a life-long Texan.