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Every movie lover has his or her favorite genres—and some not-so-favorite genres. Personally, I love smart comedies—and I’ll readily admit that I’ve never been a big fan of Westerns. The long, drawn-out, testosterone-fueled stories that I watched on sleepy Saturday afternoons always seemed to be missing something—like well-drawn characters or believable drama. But, as it turns out, I was just watching the wrong Westerns. If my introduction to the genre had included brilliant classics like The Magnificent Seven, I probably would have been a life-long fan.
Every year, a group of bandits led by the ruthless Calvera (Eli Wallach) raid the same Mexican farming village, leaving its people struggling to survive. But, finally, after years of suffering at the hands of Calvera and his men, the villagers decide to fight back.
Three of them travel north of the border in search of guns. Instead, they find Chris Larabee Adams (Yul Brynner), a wandering stranger with a good heart. They appeal to Chris for help, and he offers to assemble a group of gunmen to return to the village and help them fight.
Though the villagers can’t offer much money for their services, seven men agree to help them battle Calvera. Each man has his own story—and his own reason for taking the job—and all seven learn something as they prepare the villagers for battle.
Thanks to John Sturges’s capable direction and a brilliant cast full of unforgettable characters, The Magnificent Seven truly lives up to its name. It’s absolutely gorgeous, with strikingly beautiful settings—from the quaint village, with its old church set against rocky cliffs to its long, sweeping shots of lonely western wilderness.
Even more striking, though, is its cast—the ultimate ensemble of 1960s tough guys. Yul Brynner leads the seven with his self-assured swagger and his strong but silent presence, but each character brings something unique to the story. The men are introduced gradually, allowing viewers to get to know and understand them before they head into battle. They may be rootin’, tootin’ gun slingers for hire, but they’re more than just another nameless ensemble of Wild West clichés. They have their fears, their insecurities, and their weaknesses—and they’re all so well-developed that you’ll watch in nervous anticipation as Calvera and his men finally arrive.
Meanwhile, Wallach’s Calvera makes the perfect rival for these resolute young gunfighters. An energetic leader dressed in a flamboyantly ruffled red shirt, his often wild eccentricities make him a formidable enemy.
The Magnificent Seven isn’t just another slow-moving Western with nameless men in testosterone-fueled shootouts. It’s a simply captivating film, with the perfect touches of suspense, romance, and humor—and a truly remarkable ensemble cast. Even if you typically shy away from Westerns (like I once did), this cherished classic is not to be missed.
Blu-ray Review:
When some older films are re-released on Blu-ray, they look like cheap reproductions, quickly copied over from an aging print, complete with scratches and other flaws. But that’s not the case with the Blu-ray release of The Magnificent Seven. It isn’t flawless, but the image often looks surprisingly crisp and clear.
Meanwhile, the release also includes a number of extras—including Guns for Hire, a 47-minute making-of feature from 2001. In this fascinating feature, members of the cast and crew discuss the filmmaking process, offering up all kinds of stories about the on-set antics, rivalries, and gambling. For a closer look at the iconic score, there’s Elmer Bernstein and The Magnificent Seven. There are also trailers and stills and an audio commentary with Eli Wallach, James Coburn, and producer Walter Mirisch.
The release may not be loaded with hours of new material, but fans of The Magnificent Seven will definitely want to set aside some extra time to watch the features and peruse the galleries.
