Adapted from Kurosawa's masterpiece Seven Samurai, with the story transposed to a poor Mexican village, The Magnificent Seven is by no means as awesome a spectacle or as moving a comment on the human condition. However, Westerns don't come with more rootin', tootin' action than this nicely cast rouser with its famous Elmer Bernstein score. The youthful McQueen is third billed and as a character definitely to the rear of Brynner, Bronson, Coburn, Horst Buchholtz (in the Mifune role) and Eli Wallach (as the bad bandito). As danger-seeking Vin, first recruit and loyal lieutenant to Brynner's Chris, McQueen settles into the screen as he would go along—a tough guy who does what he has to and knows how to stay alive.
The Magnificent Seven Review
A Mexican village is regularly terrorised and pillaged by banditos. Enlisting the help of seven skilled cowboy-warrior types, they make a stand against the maruaders.
Release Date:
23 Oct 1960
Running Time:
128 minutes
Certificate:
PG
Original Title:
Magnificent Seven, The
An instant classic of a score and at least three of the seven turning themselves into overnight icons, this isn't quite Kurosawa, but it's a damn fine stab at it.
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