Watch Viva Max!

In the quirky 1969 comedy Viva Max!, the tiny border town of San Pablo becomes the site of an unexpected showdown between a group of bumbling U.S. Army officials and their determined opposition, led by Mexican General Maximilian Rodrigues De Santos (played by Peter Ustinov). When De Santos realizes that the United States military has left a strategic border crossing completely unguarded, he sees an opportunity to make a statement about Mexican sovereignty by marching straight into Texas with a group of his men, including his formidable second-in-command, Sgt. Valdez (played by singer and actor John Astin). Despite the fact that De Santos' own troops are mostly just interested in taking advantage of the local bars and brothels, the U.S. officials, led by bumbling Captain Barry (played by Jonathan Winters) quickly mobilize to stop the invasion, calling in helicopters, tanks, and even a battalion of National Guardsmen.

Caught in the middle of this tense standoff is the lovely television journalist Kate (Pamela Tiffin), who comes to San Pablo to cover the story but quickly finds herself more interested in the charismatic De Santos than in the military tactics being employed by the U.S. officials. As the pressures mount and the miscommunications grow ever more absurd, it becomes clear that only a truly unlikely hero will be able to resolve the conflict and prevent all-out war from breaking out between Mexico and the United States.

With its madcap sense of humor, colorful characters, and wry commentary on the fraught relationship between the two nations, Viva Max! stands as a sly and entertaining meditation on everything from military machismo to cultural differences and the inescapable pull of attraction between passionate individuals. Whether you're a fan of classic comedies or simply enjoy witty and fast-paced tales of confrontation and romance, this movie is sure to delight and entertain.

Viva Max! is a 1969 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.