The Magnificent Seven
Category
Western
Director
John Sturges
Cast
- Yul Brenner
- Steve McQueen
- Eli Wallach
- Charles Bronson
- James Coburn
- Robert Vaughn
- Brad Dexter
- Horst Bucholz
Release Date
23 October 1960
Synopsis
The movie Magnificent Seven is an American remake of Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai. Replacing the samurais are the all-American Western cowboys. The setting is a small Mexican farming village, which has been oppressed and threatened by nearby bandits. Tired of constantly abused by the heartless thieves, they decided to take action by defending themselves. As advised by the village’s wise old man, they went in search for needed equipment in order to fulfill their plan of retaliation.
On their way, they were able to encounter Chris, played by Yul Brenner, and Vin, played by Steve McQueen. The two hombres were in the middle of gun-battle for a proper burial of an Indian. After being totally impressed with the great gun skills the two displayed, the villagers asked Chris where they could purchase guns. However, instead of answering the villagers’ question and leading them to the location, Chris simply persuaded them to hire men, his men. The villagers gladly agreed with the offer, so Chris immediately went in search for his old buddies to come with him for a mission.
There were seven of them, namely, Chris, Vin, Harry Luck (Brad Dexter), Britt (James Coburn), Lee (Robert Vaugn), O’Reilly (Charles Bronson), and Chico (Horst Bucholz).
For weeks, they stayed in the village to teach everyone the art of fighting, preparing them for combat the next time the bandits, headed by Calvera (played by Eli Wallach), come back. And after sometime of staying there and teaching the villagers, they found themselves wanting to pitch in their battle, too.
The Magnificent Seven is a guy’s film with its impressive fight scenes. However, anyone would definitely enjoy the well-executed screenplay plus the witty, amusing, and unforgettable lines such as, “Do you have an older, grateful sister at home?”
There are a few blunders in the film such as the casting of Eli Wallach as Calvera the bandit leader. His features didn’t fit the role, making his character not so convincing. Also, the movie would have stood out better if no overrated love story was included. Nevertheless, the film proves to be worth-watching.