The Magnificent Seven
The Magnificent Seven is a 1960 American Western film directed by John Sturges. The screenplay by William Roberts is a remake – in an Old West–style – of Akira Kurosawa's 1954 Japanese film Seven Samurai (itself initially released in the United States as The Magnificent Seven). The ensemble cast includes Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn, Brad Dexter, James Coburn, and Horst Buchholz as a group of seven gunfighters, and Eli Wallach as their main antagonist. The seven title characters are hired to protect a small village in Mexico from a group of marauding bandits, led by Wallach.
Plot
A gang of bandits led by Calvera periodically raids a poor Mexican village for food and supplies. After the latest raid, during which Calvera kills a villager, the village leaders decide they have had enough. On the advice of the village elder, they decide to fight back. Taking their few objects of value, three villagers ride to a town just inside the United States border hoping to barter for weapons. They are impressed by Chris Adams, a veteran Cajun gunslinger, and approach him for advice. Chris suggests they instead hire gunfighters to defend the village, as "men are cheaper than guns." At first agreeing only to help them recruit men, Chris eventually decides to lead the group. Despite the meager pay offered, he finds five willing gunmen.
Cast
- Bing Russell
- Brad Dexter
- Charles Bronson
- Eli Wallach
- Enrique Lucero
- Fernando Rey
- Horst Buchholz
- James Coburn
- Jim Davis
- John A. Alonzo
- Joseph Ruskin
- Larry Duran
- Rico Alaniz
- Robert J. Wilke
- Robert Vaughn
- Steve McQueen
- Val Avery
- Valentin de Vargas
- Victor French
- Vladimir Sokoloff
- Whit Bissell
- Yul Brynner
More details
author | Akira Kurosawa Walter Bernstein Walter Newman William Roberts |
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contentLocation | Mexico Texas |
director | John Sturges |
editor | Ferris Webster |
genre | western |
keywords | abandon across the border cajun change of heart chris adams fight forced to kill gamble gold mine gunslinger hard times haunt hidden gold hide irish mexican old man pass shoot survive their way united states village |
musicBy | Elmer Bernstein |
nomination | Academy Award for Best Original Dramatic or Comedy Score |
producer | John Sturges |
productionCompany | Alpha Productions The Mirisch Company |
publisher | United Artists |
recordedAt | Mexico |
theme | japanese |