The Magnificent Seven

Rating:
Summary: Western Action at its' Best
Review: When I was a kid my favorite Western was "High Noon" followed closely by "The Magnificent Seven". Somehow I knew, even when I was young, that the former was a quality production while the latter was of a somewhat lesser standard. However, I never let that keep me from enjoying it. What appealed to me then and now was the level of action throughout the movie. Most Westerns of this quality have either too little or too much action. The ones with lesser action often lack the quality of drama to make them enjoyable. The ones with too much action often lack a meaningful story to go along with the action. "The Magnificent Seven" was able to take a workable story (adapted from Kurasawa's "Seven Samurai") and include a sustained and engrossing level of action to rise above the standard "B" Western.

The acting is pretty good throughout "The Magnificent Seven". The main actors, Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, and Eli Wallach were either already great actors or, in the case of McQueen, on their way to becoming one. The lessor roles saw the likes of upcoming actors Charles Bronson, James Coburn, and Robert Vaughn. Horst Buchholz was supposed to have a big career ahead of him. I remember him in "One Two Three" but I guess the rest of his career must have taken off in Germany. The hard one to remember is Brad Dexter.

If you're not familiar with the story, it tells of seven out of work gunslingers who take the job of defending a small Mexican village against their annual attack from Eli Wallach's roving band of outlaws. The seven work for beans (literally) and gradually bond to the villagers and their struggle. It's the story of nobel sacrifice and well told by director John Sturges. It may not qualify as cinematic artistic achievement but it is exciting to watch.

I have enjoyed "Seven Samurai". It is one of the great movies of all time. It warrents the concentration necessary to follow the subtitles and appreciate what co-mingled talent in writing, directing, acting and cinematography can achieve. However, when I prefer to relax my concentration, "The Magnificent Seven" is as good a choice as any.

Rating:
Summary: Great Movie, poor copy
Review: This movie has taken on a life of it's own in the years since it's release. It and "7 Samuari" are nearly manditory viewing for anyone interested in mid 20th century cinema. Given all that, AND that this is a "Special Edition", you'd think that MGM would of taken some care in picking a cleaner master to create the DVD from. I can understand the trailers being a little rough, but the main feature is grainy, with dust specs, emulsion flakes/pinholes... Not unwatchable by any means, just annoying that a movie that is this important couldn't have gotten a good going over.

Rating:
Summary: a class act
Review: I agree that the Seven Samurai is a great film but there's also something extremely magical about the Magnificent Seven. How can I put into words my love for this film? To put it simply: for western lovers, and lovers of great films, this is a real beauty to behold and cherish. Classic.

Rating:
Summary: Style --- in spades
Review: Contrary to Horton's statement in his lack-lustre review of this film, one of the major factors that makes it one of the greatest and most seminal Westerns is precisely its sense of style. Many of the scenes seem to be choreographed, almost like ballet, with the actors performing stylized movements, in set pieces, reminiscent of Eisenstein's films. Heads move in unison, or in sequence; the actors are carefully placed in the framework; they move almost like dancers, so that the whole film has a rhythmic, formal quality which, imho, makes it almost unique, and especially memorable. Many of the scenes are unforgettably iconic: Bronson chopping wood; Robert Vaughn catching his one fly, and sliding down with his mouth against the adobe wall; Brynner coming from nowhere, back there, and heading nowhere, forward. The dialogue is also admirably laconic: "the worst"; "haw, haw, haw"; "you lost"; "no enemies --- alive"; "Florrie won't believe this"; "time was I'd have caught all three"; "the farmers always win". As remarked in the very interesting special features section, the themes are timeless, and given outstanding expression in this drama. The world divides into farmers and cowboys, classic and romantic, ancient and modern; winners and losers. Romance = death and loss; the plodding peasant survives, and carries on. Like Bronson says, it may be braver to accept responsibility, and carry the burden. I have to agree, however, with the reviewer who noted that the Buchholz character is incredibly irritating, throughout. Still, in a way this flaw somehow makes the rest of the ensemble even better.

Rating:
Summary: Seven Icons Riding South West.
Review: The film's director, John Sturges, has done several great action movies as "Ice Station Zebra" (1968) and "The Eagle Has Landed" (1976) but no one so good and compelling as "The Magnificent Seven" (1960) and "The Great Escape" (1963).
These two earned him a well deserved reputation.
This film profits from great characterizations performed by (now) well known actors: Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Eli Wallach, Brad Dexter, Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Robert Vaughn and Horst Buchholz. This was a pivotal point in their career; except for Brynner that was well know by that time.
All of them flesh their characters with great skill, depicting a hardboiled bunch.

The story is a transposition of Akira Kurosawa's "The Seven Samurai" from middle ages' Japan to America's South West. Nothing is loosed with the change. All the film breathes an epic struggle. A small Mexican village is periodically harassed by bandits. The villagers are nearing starvation and desperation but they have no fighting skills to defend themselves. So as a last resort they decide to hire "protection".
Chris Adams (Yul Brynner) is able to round up a group of border "desperados" to put a stop, against overwhelming odds, to the marauders leaded by Calvera (an anthological Eli Wallach).
A real treat for western's & action fans, but also for those who want to see an unforgettable "Classic".
Enjoy the trip!
Reviewed by Max Yofre.



Rating:
Summary: A cultural transplant that wasn't rejected
Review: A small village in Mexico is repeatedly harassed by outlaws, and decides to hire seven gunfighters as protection. A simple idea, transplanted out of Akira Kirasawa's "Seven Samurai", but when the cast is right, the film is right. Steve McQueen, James Coburn, Charles Bronson, and Robert Vaughn were all up-and-coming stars, and Yul Brynner was perfect as the essence of cold, efficient, authoritative leadership. Add an unforgettable musical score, and you have a winner.