The Magnificent Seven Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
They were seven - And they fought like seven hundred!
The Magnificent One!
A remake of ''The Seven Samurai'', this American version star Yul Brenner, Charles Bronson, Steve McQueen, and Robert Vaughn, just to name a few. They are picked to guard a Mexican village from Banditos that come every now and then to take whatever the town has grown since their last visit. When they are hired, they go to the town and teach the villagers how to defend themselves. When the leader of the bandits come ,they fight him and his men off. the second time he comes the villagers give the seven to them, due to a heated argument. The leader of the bandits take their guns and throw them out of town he gives them horses and gives their guns back to them when they are far out of town. The seven decide that they aren't going to run, and head back to the village for a final showdown.
| Yul Brynner | Chris Adams |
| Eli Wallach | Calvera |
| Steve McQueen | Vin |
| Charles Bronson | Bernardo O'Reilly |
| Robert Vaughn | Lee |
| Brad Dexter | Harry Luck |
| James Coburn | Britt |
| Jorge Martínez de Hoyos | Hilario |
| Vladimir Sokoloff | Old man |
| Rosenda Monteros | Petra |
| Rico Alaniz | Sotero |
| Pepe Hern | |
| Natividad Vacío | Miguel |
| Mario Navarro | |
| Danny Bravo |
| John Sturges |
7.80 out of 10 (15456 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Damn near cried when I saw this, and I didn't cry at beaches or Titanic
posted on 22 Jul 2009A guy's movie through and through, a group of gunfighters struggle with their role in the world, their personal demons, and hundred of bad guys. Through the seven main characters all the archetypes of manhood are expressed, ranging from prideful insecurity to father like wisdom. Watch it and be proud to hold a y chromosome. The music is excellent as well.
Best Western Ever Made!
posted on 01 Jul 2009This could be the best western ever made. Stoic Yul Brynner leads an all-star band of gunfighters below the border to defend a village from a group of outlaws led by Eli Wallach. Highly recommended. Without a doubt it is the best scored western ever thanks to Elmer Bernstein, who also did the music for the Great Escape among many others.
Dying Well is the Best Revenge
posted on 19 Jun 2009At its core this remains a Japanese story.In a world that no longer needs or values them, six gunslingers of shadowy past take up a challenge. They will use their skills to combat evil even against impossible odds. They are joined by a seventh--a callow youth who at first idolizes them and their life of the gun and the saloon but in the end realizes that the future will belong to those who set down roots and live quietly.Only a couple of the original six will live to "ride on" but the others have chosen a noble death over life without meaning. It is these "Japanese" aspects to the story that make this picture unique among westerns and worth seeing even fifty years after it was made.
The Real Genius Of This "Classic"
posted on 13 Jun 2009What do "The Magnificent Seven," "The Sons of Kate Elder," "True Grit," "The Great Escape," "The Ten Commandments" and over 200 other movies and TV projects have in common?Elmer Bernstein's music.Along with Jerome Moross's "The Big Country" theme, "The Magnificent Seven" has got to be one of the most memorable scores of all time. Helped by the extensive play as the Marlboro theme (before cigarette ads were banned from TV), Bernstein's music makes a decent western truly unforgettable.Evident in Bernstein's music is the "big" dramatic sound influenced by American composer, Aaron Copeland ("Appalachian Spring," "Fanfare For The Common Man"). Even Bernstein's theme to "Animal House" (no doubt, meant to be a parody as much as the movie, itself) has a feel of something beyond the expected.Yeah, "The Magnificent Seven" was a rehash of "The Seven Samuri" and is less than inspiring in spots, illustrating, all the more, just what music can do for a movie. Bernstein sits alone atop the list of cinematic composers.
Not Impressed
posted on 06 Mar 2009While this is far from a terrible movie, I can't say that it's all that magnificent either. I watched this mainly to see how an American remake of The Seven Samurai would turn out. I have to say that Seven Samurai was a lot better. Normally, I'd say ripping off stuff is bad, but the Magnificent Seven would have been a whole lot better if it had stuck more closely to the original.As long as the movie is faithful to the original, all is (mostly) well. But when it starts to deviate, things go horrible wrong. Logic is thrown out of the window and the second half of the movie is very unbelievable to a fault. First of all, both the Seven and the bandits allow themselves to constantly surprised by the other. Next, the super-evil bandit leader catches the Seven off-guard, but instead of simply killing them he lets them go and even gives them their guns back? Yeah right. The story sacrifices all plausibility just to get a rather clichéd and moralistic message across, and it hurts.Apart from the weak plot, the rest of the movie feels rushed too. The cast is all-star, but several members seem to be phoning in their performances, and several others give simply horrible performances. Which is a shame, because most of the characters are really interesting and should have really been fleshed out a bit better.Still, "The magnificent seven" is far from a horrible movie. The action sequences are fairly good, the score is great, and Eli Wallach is simply brilliant. But is not enough to really leverage this movie above anything more than "average". The weak plot in the second half really hurts it, as do the less-than-convincing performances. It's not nearly as good as the original, and a mere shadow of the truly great Sergi Leone westerns that would be made a little later.
Magnificent? well not really
posted on 04 Feb 2009Don't get me wrong though, this film is not bad, but it is just not
good either. The script and the cast are OK and good respectively. The
jokes are very good. There are just 2 things that bother me. First of
all the film is too long and second of all the way some of the
magnificent seven die at the end of the movie. They had better been
shot in the first shootout than to die so idiotically at the second
shooting in Mexico. But don't mind me, see for yourself.
6 out of 10
Characters, Action Scenes, Fine Dialogue...a Classic Western
posted on 27 Nov 2008Although "The Magnificent Seven" is a very well-known and well-respected film, a U.S. adaptation of "The Seven Samurai" directed by Akira Kurosawa, it is not very well understood even by its admirers. The film is about the difference between static and dynamic lives; the soldier, the explorer, the policeman ventures, does deeds and grows old, his fame being a legend of his exploits if any. The static man does something repetitive and occasionally builds on the past, his reward being holding the line against Nature, or adding a little to what he had inherited. The seven gunhawks in the film are likened to a cleansing wind, the bandits to locusts, the farmers to the earth itself, which always remains. Director John Sturges, aided by wonderful creative art direction, lighting, Elmer Bernstein's musical score, costumes, sets and intelligent dialogue has his participants talk only occasionally about this theme--he brings it to life before the viewer's eyes... The villagers including Natividad Vacio, the young woman played by Rosenda Monteros, the bandits led by Eli Wallach, and townsmen such as Whitner Bissell are all set against the seven both by active contrast and contradiction. Only the village children and the Old Man who is the villagers' solon admire and really like the men who fight their bandits to save their lives, who teach their fathers to fight for themselves. The acting of the film is quite uneven, ranging from good to extraordinary. James Coburn, Charles Bronson and Yul Brynner come off best; Steve McQueen does a lot of physical business to create his character; Horst Bucholz works hard to seem to be a young Mexican firebrand; but Brad Dexter and Robert Vaughn come off less well than could have been hoped. The film, seen for the first or twentieth time, I claim "works" on all levels; its engrossing pace is that of a dramatic film, not merely an adventure. It has a "break" in the middle, as, somewhat implausibly, a raid by the seven after their initial defeating of the bandits' attack leads to their being betrayed and captured. But this minor pause leads to the film's rousing climax--as these proud fighters for good causes adopt the one they had waited all their lives to undertake--one that proves they need owe their lives to no one so long as they can fight even to the death for the right to choose their own battles. This film spawned several rather good sequels; it is really a film about a "mission" of a military/creative variety. And it is this that allows the director and writer to include a number of telling moments during recruiting of the fighters, their trip back to the village they have agreed to defend, the wait for the bandits to attack, and on more occasions This I find is a stirring, visually memorable and technically splendid film, from beginning to end.
one of my favorite movies
posted on 16 Sep 2008I love this movie! I've never seen the movie it's based upon, but I'm sure it's a great western adaptation of the Japanese movie. This film has great humor and so-so action scenes. A lot of people prefer the Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns. Those are great. But the first movie in this series has something special. Eli Wallach's performance in this movie rivals his Good, Bad, Ugly role. He plays a pretty convincing Mexican for a white guy. Speaking of Clint Eastwood westerns, what is the big deal about Unforgiven? It's !@#$ing boring!!! Gene Hackman didn't even save that one. So they draw their guns more historically accurate.WOW!!!! Who cares???!!! In Unforgiven they also wear fancy costumes. People in those days made their own clothes. They would have been all crappy like in the spaghetti westerns. But back to Magnificent Seven.The main reason I enjoy it is because the chick who plays Petra was hot!!! I would have laid down my guns and settled down for her too!!!
Great western
posted on 07 Sep 2008I first saw The 7 at the theaters in 1960, I have since watched it 100+ times and still enjoy watching it today. The banding together of unique individuals for a desperate mission is no new story. But these characters and the men that portray them (most of whom when on to wonderful careers in movies) are excellent. The music is legendary and still stirs a heart. The story line of bad men doing good things or good men doing bad things is what makes the world go around. Each of the characters could have a full story behind them but you get the feeling of their pasts without ever REALLY knowing what it was. I will continue to watch it and enjoy it every single time. It may not contain the graphic violence of today or depict the sex angle but it is definite a definitive western. truly - The 7 is Magnificent!
The best western remake of a Japanese film ever.
posted on 26 Aug 2008I was weaned on westerns, and this is one of the best ever made. But if you want an interesting experience rent "Seven Samurai" and "The Magnificent Seven" in the same evening. "Magnificent Seven" is a remake of a 1954 Japanese film. "Seven Samurai" is far more touching, with better developed characters -- watch it first. Then see how the American version abbreviated what "Seven Samurai" accomplished. A word of warning, however, "Seven Samurai" is 6 hours long, black and white, and subtitled. All that said, it still makes for a great viewing experience.
Surprisingly bad
posted on 17 Aug 2008(Disclaimer: I saw this quite a while ago, writing now because I just registered). If you want to enjoy this movie, don't watch Kurosawa's original. I like the idea of adapting stories into a different context (Apocalypse Now from Heart of Darkness for one), but the execution here is poor. Besides just plain bad writing and directing, the creators were faced with the inherent difficulty of translating the samurai with his strict code of conduct and highly evolved honor into the wandering selfish outlaw cowboy. Also, choices like joining the youngster and the clown into one character confuse. In the original, the clown is an oddball, but is also wise in a Shakespearian court jester kind of way. The young naive samurai was a separate character: innocent, eager to prove his worth, quick to fall in love, in need of a mentor, but full of talent. In the western update, the roles are merged, and therefore destroyed. That's just one detail I can remember. Overall, I was simply shocked at how bad it was.
an American adventure story
posted on 14 Aug 2008On seeing this film, based on his own "Seven Samurai", Akira Kurosawa sent director Joe Sturges a telegram saying it was a great Western.Of course, it is not the Seven Samurai. Apparently, all concerned knew perfectly well that they weren't really doing a remake of the greatest film ever made (at least to that time). Consequemtly, there is a surprising light-hearted quality to the whole proceedings. They know they have a great story and a great action director, and they don't have to compete with the original. So they let themselves have some fun with it. And they communicate this well to the audience. This is a film that cries out for a big bowl of pop-corn - it may even have looked better at a drive-in. But at any rate, it doesn't look too bad on DVD, with original wide-screen transfer. (My edition also includes a documentary and commentary which are entertaining in their own rights.) And if you love Hollywood movie music (a genre all its own) you don't dare miss this wonderful sound-track.Comparisons to the Seven Samurai miss the point; this an American adventure story, and on that level works fine.
"If God did not want them sheared, he wouldn't have made them sheep"
posted on 24 Jul 2008So said Calvera (Eli Wallach), a man who could have been talking about the audience that watched this dated tripe. Did we really watch stuff like The Magnificent Seven four decades ago?An intellectually unambitious film, it's hugely dated with corny dialogue and incidental music so loud and over the top it could burst your eardrums. But the real reason why the audience were sheep is that a truly magnificent film, Shichinin no Samurai (8 – not Kurosawa's best, that distinction lies with my favourite film of all, Rashomon, but still an outstanding achievement) was already made. It's depth, poignancy and superb direction were watered down. The powerful black and white cinematography by probably the finest director the world has ever seen was transferred into bland colour, the honourable seven samurais (actually six samurais and a ronin, but seven samurais was a better title) transformed into mercenaries. The samurais defended a village for honour and food. The gunmen do it for cash and glory. All the subtlety and ambiguity is drained from the film, and, considering the original is 203 minutes long (often cut for western video releases, I was lucky enough to catch a version that ran for 190), it never fails to engage. The Magnificent Seven, is, I have to say, boring. A western audience had to have a classic stripped of subtitles and plunged into dumb macho formula, any trace of density or literary merit stamped out. Only then could they accept it.The film's leaning towards pretension gives us some laughable moments of would-be meaningful dialogue. Delivered by most of the seven – Brynner particularly – it can be carried, and by Eli Wallach as bandit leader Calvera. But when one of the supporting cast, who really aren't that impressive, deliver a line, it becomes laughable. Charles Bronson, too, is guilty of a cringe-making scene where he lectures some of the village children on the "bravery of responsibility". There were some interesting additions to the script, such as the village rejecting the seven after their initial failure, and their capture by the bandits. In the seven samurai, failure on such a large scale is non-existent. I also like the way the bandit leader's role is beefed up, though his degree of honour does have the unfortunate distinction of making him more likeable than the seven "heroes". Behind the scenes, things were less amiable. Steve McQueen was leading a revolt against Brynner's starring role (a role which was minimal in the original, but built-up for the "name" actor), and also against Horst Buchholz who had the "pretty boy" part which McQueen had assumed would go to him. Though many laugh off this revolt, which amounted to no more than McQueen trying to upstage his co-stars, Buchholz can still be quoted as saying "I couldn't take his guts". Legal fights also went on for producer and writer credits, squabbles over what is alleged to be the second most played film on American television.Three sequels were inevitably made. Return of the Seven (5) is, in many senses, an improvement on the first film, if only because it's shorter. The dynamic is stronger, with a seven who don't really like each other all that much and a mystery to solve. Rather than waiting for the "many men with guns" to arrive, here the seven have to track them down. Shichinin no Samurai is again referenced, this time with mills, rain and blockades. Two of the original seven return, though only one of them is played by the same actor, a Yul Brynner who looks tired without the competition of a Charles Brosnan or a Steve McQueen. What stops Return from bettering it's predecessor is the lack of occasion; it has "cheap cash-in sequel put together in a hurry" written all the way through it. Worst of all, it has a cringe-making stinker of a last line as Chris (Brynner) exclaims: "I'll be damned". "I doubt that," he is told, "I doubt that very much".Another flimsy piece of would-be meaningful dialogue marks out the third film in the series, Guns of the Magnificent Seven (6). When a Mexican is asked why his people have such long names, he replies. "I don't know. I guess it's because we always have such short lives". What does that mean??? It has no meaning whatsoever, it's complete gibberish! Yet two of the seven look on as if in understanding. For this instalment the original cast have all jumped ship, and George Kennedy is the new Chris. I wonder how he managed to grow all that hair between films? And what sort of name is "Chris" for a tough cowboy anyway? Lugubrious, less masculine and more ineffectual than Brynner, it's fortunate that Kennedy is backed up by the most interesting seven of the series. Though it could smack of tokenism, we get a cowboy suffering from a severe chest infection, a one-armed cowboy and Bernie Casey as Cassie, the series' only black addition. Though as Cassie is a silent strongman stereotype only there to have racial taunts bounced off him, it's perhaps not that great a feat. There are also some editing problems, white flashes clearly visible for some of the jump cuts. Yet even though the fated members of the seven still struggle on after being shot several times, their enemies getting felled by a single bullet, this is still the best of the sequels. The recruitment vignettes have a more unusual air than before, and Chris finally gets to learn about real honour.Lee Van Cleef was probably the most experienced for the role of Chris when he took on the role for the only 70s outing, The Magnificent Seven Ride! (6). He'd already appeared in 68 prior films, including notable westerns such as High Noon and Bunfight at the O.K. Corral. Chris is now married, bitter and with dubious morality. His role on the right side of the law as a Marshall is interesting in this thoughtful fourth instalment which was different enough from the others to maintain interest. However, while Cleef's Chris is arguably the most exciting interpretation of the character, the rest of the seven are the blandest of all. Most notable is the fact that they've all become two-armed, two-legged Caucasians once more, supporting Hollywood's "Persil Policy" (Persil Policy, c. my mate Griff). It might have been nice to have a devastating end chapter, but this one closes pretty much the same as the prior outings, though does at least allow Chris to find happiness.And the original? For my money, "Guns" beats it into second place, though neither are anything outstanding. I do admire the western genre, though it's base manifestation – men with guns kill each other – means it can, be default, be uninvolved. Though it's tiny touches of character – such as Robert Vaughan rueing that he would have been able to catch three flies in his youth, not just one – that elevate it to somewhere near a "6".
Over-rated!
posted on 12 Jul 2008A few things you'll learn when watching this over-rated classic:You can't shoot Yul Brynner. Robert Vaughn is an atrocious actor. Knives and axes are made of rubber.For such a well-respected classic I was quite miffed by the last twenty minutes or so. Firstly, Calvera had the 7 exactly where he wanted them but didn't even harm them, even after they had killed 10 of his men. What did he think the 7 we're going to do after he gave them back their guns? The 7 then abuse Calvera's good will and sneakily wage another attack -a rather cowardly approach!Then there are the terrible death scenes. While Robert Vaughn is awful throughout this movie, his death is so cheesy I cringed. Bronson's death is equally ridiculous as he actually poses before he gets shot. Yul Brynners God-like ability to dodge bullets without even moving is unexplainable, particularly when Brad Dexter storms in for a pointless heroic 'rescue' and is shot immediately.Other blunders are axes and knives that were not only obviously stuck to the actors already, but also wobbled like rubber, and blood stains on the backs of 'evil Mexicans' when they were actually shot in the chest.The battle ends and the original 2 - Brynner and McQueen ride away, in a worse position than what they started in. It's quite a depressing ending, despite the contradictory upbeat music.I greatly enjoyed the early scenes where Brynner and McQueen ride the hearse through town, and the recruitment process. Unfortunately after that my interest dwindled. Although I can see why people like this, it's reputation is far greater than the film itself.
I always thought it was better.
posted on 06 Jul 2008My memory of this was that it was a classic, now it just seems a rather poor copy of Seven Samurai (or Shichinin no samurai if you prefer.)For a simply example of the difference in the cinematic craft compare the way Britt, the Knife man, is introduced with his samurai equivalent. The time/suspense that Kurosawa draws in to the scene is just breath taking.
This is an easy quality difference to pick, but the rest of Seven Samurai is so much better in just so many ways.I do rather like the Magnificent Seven theme,but other wise I would leave the Magnificent Seven alone.abdo
A cinematic treasure.
posted on 27 Jun 2008Satisfying western epic about Chris Adams (Yul Brynner), an ultra-cool gunman who dresses only in black, decides to help the poverty-stricken residents of a small Mexican village who have a nasty leader, Calvera (Eli Wallach) and his band of thieves that come into their town and take their food. In return, Chris hires seven gunmen to back him up the fight, among the bunch are Steve McQueen, James Coburn, Robert Vaughan, Charles Bronson, and a very fiery Horst Buchholz.Director John Sturges ("The Great Escape") and his screenwriter, William Roberts, create a clever and terrific story here, and it's no surprise to anyone that's the movie is a remake of Akiro Kurosawa's "The Seven Samurai". To be honest, I haven't seen nor rent the Kurosawa film, but the results here are wonderful and you can feel the sense of adventure (and the overwhelming odds that the seven take into account). And the musical score, composed by Elmer Bernstein, is one that goes very easy on the ears.As for the performances, everyone here make their presence felt very often and don't let up. Brynner is confident as he usually is, and Buchholz is surprisingly effective as is Bronson, whose character draws the attention of three kids who live in the village. There's one scene where O'Reilly (Bronson) tells the trio about what a father does for his family in order to survive and there's nothing to be ashamed of."The Magnificent Seven" is certainly one of those movies, without a doubt, that you define as "a cinematic treasure", period.
Excellent Film, however only a pale remake of the Seven Samuri
posted on 22 Apr 2008This film features wonderful performances by Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen. The setting is gorgeous, and the cinematography is top notch. By itself it is a good film, but sadly it loses much of its appeal when compared to the Japanese original, "The Seven Samurai." The Magnificent Seven's plot is weaker, and much of its dialogue seems forced, no matter how the actors try to spruce it up.Additionally, the movie does not convey the same character development, which is probably why the dialogue seems forced. The characters are not people, but cardboard cutouts of the Japanese characters. Honestly, I believe that I would have appreciated this film more if I had not seen The Seven Samurai first, but as it is I am only left with a sense that it attempted to measure up to a work of genius and never quite achieved it. However, I must admit that the score does live up to its reputation, and nothing of fault can be found with it.
Western Movies 101
posted on 23 Mar 2008If someone who'd never seen a western asked me, "Where should I start?" I'd answer, "The Magnificent Seven". If I would to teach a western film class, the first movie I'd show would be "The Magnificent Seven." Why? Because "The Magnificent Seven" is the most ACCESSIBLE great western. Any age group could understand it and enjoy it.A terrific cast (five of whom became stars, either of the big screen or TV) individual give interesting flourishes to thin characters. If anything, each of the man characters represents characteristics of human nature. Certainly, Steve McQueen represents irony, Wallich greed, Vaugn fear, Bronson melancholy, Dexter whimsy, Buckholz passion, etc. Each actor makes his character interesting, yet creates a synergy which completes a completely satisfying package. Elmer Bernstein wrote a terrific score, the most fully realized in ANY western and, maybe any movie. Play the scene when Buckholz discovers the Mexican girl, first without sound, then with the score. What is a pretty routine scene takes on a tremendous amount of energy due to Bernstein.Director Sturges and the cinematographer primarily seem to have been wise enough to get out the way and follow the action. As a result, "The Magnificent Seven" seems more natural than the westerns of the great Sergio Leone. Excellent film editing tops off this treat, giving fine rhythm both to the action and Bernstein's score. The climax is both exciting and poignant.I give "The Magnificent Seven" a "10".
One of the best of the genre!
posted on 05 Mar 2008"The Magnificent Seven" is an exciting and meaningful story with wonderful performances by great actors (Steve McQueen especially!). It contains a superb musical score and the cinematography is top-notch. Put it all together and you have a classic film that will be enjoyed for decades to come.
Excellent Picture
posted on 15 Aug 2009This is an excellent picture. They truly were a magnificent group of actors. I have seen this movie several times as well as two of the sequels. Anyone who enjoys a good clean action film really should take the time to sit down and experience this classic.