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Cast: Yul Brynner, Eli Wallach, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn, Brad Dexter, James Coburn, Horst Buchholz
Director: John Sturges
Rating:  
Enetertainment Quotient:  80%
Genre: Western | Adventure
Runtime: 128 min
MPAA rating: Approved
Synopsis:
Calvera (Eli Wallach) attacks a village in Mexico along with group of bandits and loot them in the late 19th century. The village president assembles his men and asks them to procure guns from the neighbouring Texas town. They realize that it is easy to hire gunmen who own guns than buying guns. They hire a group of seven gunmen. The rest of the story is all about how these magnificent seven save the village from the bandits.
What is special about the film?
Though it is the remake of ‘Seven Samurai’, this film too has got its own character. The cowboys are known for their ruthless killing and for little emotions. But these gunmen in this film are humane and emotional. This film has both charm and soul.
Differences between Seven Samurai (jeevi review here) and Magnificent Seven:
| Criteria |
Seven Samurai |
The Magnificent Seven |
| Bandits |
Bandits in this film are mostly faceless. And they are merciless as they loot the entire crop of the village and takeaway/rape women. |
Calvera is a considerate bandit who leaves something for the villagers. And he is also a clever man who does not mind striking deal with the magnificent seven. He reasons out that he is looting the village to feed his men. |
| Hiring gun or gunmen |
Village head sends his people to hire Samurais (Gunmen) |
Village head sends his people to buy guns from Texas border. There they realize that guns are expensive. It is easier and cheaper to hire gunmen than buying guns. |
| Pay for gunmen |
3 square meals per day is the deal |
Each gunmen to be provided 20 dollars for a 6 week work |
| Cowardly treatment by the village men |
The village men cooperates after giving some resistance in the beginning |
The village men side with bandit to send the seven men away |
| Non-Samurai Men |
Katsushiro and Kikuchiyo are the only two men in the gang who are not samurais. |
The attributes of Katsushiro and Kikuchiyo were bundled into a single character of Chico. |
| Love story |
There is a sad ending to the love story. |
There is a happy ending. |
| Introduction of Gunmen |
Shimuda’s introduction by tonsuring his head to feign as priest to save a kidnapped baby. |
Two leading gunmen taking a dead man for burial. |
| Kids relation |
Kikuchiyo is surrounded by kids most of the time because of his antics. |
Bernardo is adulated by three kids. A nice addition in the remake |
| Seven characters background |
Varied backgrounds |
The background and the premise on which the seven men join the gang is much superior in this film. |
Trivia:
Some interesting trivia about ‘The Magnificent Seven’:
1. The remake rights of ‘Seven Samurai’ were bought for $250.
2. The Magnificent Seven is the second most played American movie on TV
3. Since this film was shot in Mexico, the Mexican government appointed censor officers and summoned them to be at shooting location all the time so that the American crew does not shoot anything that damages the reputation of Mexico.
4. Three sequels on this movie were made. These films are Return of the Seven, Guns of the Magnificent Seven and The Magnificent Seven Ride.
Tailpiece:
Released in 1960, this film still holds the charm to entertain us even today. Definitely worth a watch for the entertainment it offers. The Gabbar Singh of Sholay film is modeled after Calvera character in this film.
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